Behind the Scenes of Bring Her Back’s Most…

A truly unsettling moment in Bring Her Back, the newest horror flick from A24 by sibling directors Danny and Michael Philippou (known for Talk To Me), left me so disturbed that I had to shut my eyes for a brief escape. Attempting to block out the screen only intensified the experience; the audience’s collective gasps and groans of revulsion resonated nearly as loudly as the film’s sound effects.

For those who watch films professionally or horror enthusiasts familiar with scenes designed to challenge viewers, it’s rare to find a moment that shocks as profoundly. However, given that it features a young child and some particularly intense gore, the initial shock quickly turns into a fascination along the lines of “How did they achieve that?”

Polygon spoke with the Philippou brothers via video chat to delve into the film’s most shocking and violent sequence.

[Ed. note: This discussion contains spoilers for Bring Her Back.]

In one of the film’s most memorable and talked-about scenes, a young, mute boy named Oliver (played by Jonah Wren Phillips) exhibits increasingly disturbing behavior. By this point in the film, viewers suspect he may be possessed either by a demon or the twisted spirit of a deceased girl—or possibly both. This possession reflects a horrifying and insatiable craving, escalating to the point where he chews on a knife, causing significant damage to his lips, gums, and teeth. He then proceeds to gnaw on the kitchen counter, creating chaos as both his teeth and the wood splinter and crack.

According to Danny Philippou, the most graphic scenes are the most enjoyable to film. “The entire table was coated in chocolate, which made it fun for him to eat. He kept munching it between takes,” he shared with Polygon.

He explained that the rest of the counter was made of “prop wood that breaks into small, soft pieces that look like splinters,” allowing Jonah to easily access the chocolate. “He also wore a fake mouth. So we had a fake mouth and table along with the prop wood, with chocolate in between,” Danny added.