Poster of Bring Her Back

Bring Her Back

Runtime: 1 Hours 44 Minutes

Audience Rating: 8.0/10

Critics Rating: 9.0/10

Genre: Horror and Mystery & Thriller

Rating: R

Release Date: 30 May 2025

OTT Release Date: 2025-07-01

Original Language: English

Production House: Causeway Films and A24

Distributor: A24

Page Last Updated On: 26 July 2025

About:

When a girl’s imaginary friend actually gets kidnapped, she teams up with her skeptical big brother to rescue the fluffy, invisible troublemaker! Proof that even make-believe pals need heroes!

Review:

"Bring Her Back" Review: A Father's Love That Would Move Mountains

Imagine if your favorite person in the whole world disappeared one day, and you were the only one who wouldn't stop looking for them. That's the heart of Bring Her Back, a movie that mixes mystery, adventure, and big feelings into one unforgettable story.

The Story That Grabs Your Heart

Ben (played by Chris Pine) is a regular dad who fixes cars and tells silly jokes at breakfast. His 12-year-old daughter Lily (newcomer Mia Love) is his whole world - they share a love for stargazing and secret handshakes. But one terrible day after school, Lily never comes home.

While the police think she might have run away, Ben knows better. His search takes him from their small town to the busy streets of Chicago, following tiny clues only a dad would notice - a half-eaten candy bar she loves, a doodle in a library book, a message hidden in their favorite song.

What Makes It Special

  1. Not Your Regular Mystery
    This isn't about superheroes or spies. It's about how far real love can push someone. Ben uses everyday skills - like remembering Lily's habits and talking to people she knew - to track her down.
  2. The Clues Feel Real
    Kids will love spotting hints before Ben does:
  • A blue hair tie on a bus seat
  • Their special song playing in a store
  • A coded message in Lily's notebook
  1. The Feels!
    There are moments that might make you hug your parents extra tight:
  • Ben sleeping in Lily's bed because it smells like her
  • Flashbacks of them building a treehouse together
  • The way he still packs her favorite lunch every day

Characters You'll Remember

  • Ben: A dad who turns into a detective. He's not perfect (he burns toast and cries sometimes) but that makes him real.
  • Lily: Smart and brave, she leaves clever signs for her dad to follow.
  • Detective Rosa: A tough cop who helps Ben when she sees how much he cares.

Gentle Scares

The movie keeps things okay for kids:

  • No violence or bad language
  • The "bad guys" are shown from far away
  • Lily is always clever and never gives up hope

Life Lessons Woven In

  1. Notice the Little Things - Ben pays attention to details others miss, teaching us to really see the people we love.
  2. Never Stop Trying - Even when everyone says to give up, Ben won't.
  3. It's Okay to Ask for Help - Ben learns to accept help from friends and neighbors.

Fun Surprises

  • A stray dog becomes Ben's search partner
  • Lily uses science class lessons to leave clues
  • The ending will make you cheer (no spoilers!)

Who Will Love It?

  • Kids who like puzzles and mysteries
  • Families who enjoy stories about love and bravery
  • Anyone who's ever lost something precious and kept looking

Final Thought: Bring Her Back shows that love isn't just a feeling - it's action. It's searching through the night, remembering small details, and never giving up. As Ben says in the movie: "When you really love someone, you don't need a map to find them - your heart knows the way."

P.S. Stay after the credits for a sweet scene of Ben teaching Lily to ride a bike!