A24is creating a subtle horror movie universe, and it can serve as a great stand-in forThe Conjuringfranchise.The Conjuringseriesbegan over a decade ago with the 2013 James Wan film that told the story of a duo of private investigators who try to help a family that is going through a paranormal event. While the main series was followed up three years later withThe Conjuring 2,the franchise also has several in-universe spinoffs, including 2014’sAnnabelleandThe Nunmovies. It is now the highest-grossing horror franchise of all time.
Horror has already started strong this year, including for franchise films. This includesThe Conjuringseries, which will release what is expected to be the last movie within theirmainline franchise withLast Rites. 2025 has also seen the release of the highly-anticipated and long-delayed sequel filmFinal Destination: Bloodlines, and in a couple of months will see the reboot ofI Know What You Did Last Summer. A24 has just released an original horror film, and it can supplement an exciting new movie universe.
Bring Her Back Is The Second Film In A24’s Secret Horror Movie Universe
It Is Set In The Same Universe As Talk To Me
This year, A24 has had somewhat of a rough start horror-wise due to disappointments likeOpusandDeath of a Unicorn. However, they are redeeming themselves with their newest release,Bring Her Back. Directed by Danny and Michael Philippou,the movie stars Sally Hawkins as a foster mother who takes in two siblings after they experience a family tragedy.The movie also stars Billy Barratt, Jonah Wren Phillips, Mischa Heywood, and Sora Wong. The movie had a small but reasonable opening for a horror film, making $7 million.
Now, the actual connections betweenTalk to MeandBring Her Backexist only in a broad sense.
Bring Her Backrepresents the Philippous' second collaboration with A24 as the first wasTalk to Mein 2023.Bring Her Backis not a sequel toTalk to Me, and the two have different plots and entirely different characters. It has been confirmed by the directors, however, that the two horror movies exist in the same universe.The directing duo confirmed this detail in May, with Danny Philippou noting “because we are writing our own films, they are automatically set in some sort of universe” with his brother adding “and there’s going to be something to prove that soon.”
Now, the actualconnections betweenTalk to MeandBring Her Backexist only in a broad sense. Setting wise, both films take place in the directors' home country of Australia. They also both involve some kind of supernatural and mysterious entity that is used (or misused) by each film’s characters. Furthermore,these films both tackle themes of grief, withBring Her Backshowing an especially tragic story about a woman who is devastated by the death of her daughter, Cathy.
Michael Philippou has not fully clarified what he meant by saying that there is “going to be something to prove” the movies' connections soon, but there is a way that the films could link up soon.Development is underway onTalk 2 Me, a sequel to the directors' 2023 movie. This film has the opportunity to fully cement the connections present within the sharedBring Her BackandTalk to Meuniverse, expanding on the themes and even potentially introducing crossover characters.
Bring Her Back & Talk To Me Are Very Different From The Conjuring Movies
Their Supernatural Elements Are More Subtle
While they share some similarities with supernatural issues,The Conjuringfranchise is very different fromBring Her BackandTalk to Me. Whereas the Philippous in-universe duology is far more subtle,The Conjuringmovies really like to physicalize their supernatural antagonists.In the first movie, one of the most shocking elements is the reveal of Bathsheba Sherman, who is played by Joseph Bishara. The secondConjuringuniverse movie,Annabelle, even dials this up by focusing on a creepy doll from the first film.
While some of the supernatural elements are physicalized through Ollie inBring Her Back, for example,the Philippous focus more on the unseen supernatural elements.Instead, they take a more visceral look at how these hauntings affect the main characters. These A24 films are also much more sparing in the exposition. WhereasThe Conjuringmovies use their sprawling universe to explain the lore more in-depth, the Philippous rely more on the audience to piece together what is happening in these rituals and hauntings through small glimpses and the characters' reactions.
A24’s Horror Universe Is Off To A Better Start Than The Conjuring
Talk To Me And Bring Her Back Have Gotten Good Reviews
Another point in favor of the Philippou’s budding horror universe are the critical reviews.BothTalk to MeandBring Her Backhave been well-received, getting 94% and 90% Tomatometers, respectively.ScreenRant’s Mae AbdulbakigaveTalk to Me7 out of 10 stars, writing that the film is “treacherous, gruesome, and heartbreaking all at once.” Mary Kassel gaveBring Her Back6 out of 10 stars, praising the film’s complicated and well-developed characters as it navigates themes of grief.
By contrast,The Conjuringmovies have more inconsistent reviews. The first film got a strong rating, holding an 86% Tomatometer, but subsequent movies saw a decline, especially with a few spinoffs.Annabelleeven got a Rotten Score of 28%, as didThe Nun(which has a 24% Tomatometer).The Conjuring’s more sprawling universe meant there would be weaker installments, whereas the Philippous had only made two movies. Still,Bring Her BackandTalk to Mehave been more consistent.
86%
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28%
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82%
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24%
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That said,The Conjuringmovies are still powerful in terms of their box office performance. The franchise has two movies within the top 10 highest-grossing horror films of all time at the worldwide box office, and has even more in the rankings if extended to the top 5. Despite its anticipation,Talk 2 Meis unlikely to reach any of the same heights as these movies. However,Talk to Mewas a huge box office hit for A24, making over $91 million worldwide. Combined with their reviews, this shows the films' power.
With The Conjuring Ending, A24 Should Embrace The Bring Her Back & Talk To Me Universe
They Can Fill An Important Niche
The Conjuringfranchise is finally set to wrap up later this year withLast Rites. While it is not out of the question that the franchise will continue to make spinoff films, this will leave a major hole in Hollywood in terms of horror franchises. As such, A24 has the opportunity to capitalize on this gap and lean into their budding horror universe.Talk to MeandBring Her Backhave shown a promising start, and I am confident that they can grow this franchise even further.
The Conjuring: Last Ritesis releasing in theaters on June 13, 2025.
Talk to Me
Cast
While trying to cope with the death of her mother, Mia (Sophie Wilde) becomes enthralled with an embalmed hand that can conjure spirits. While Mia and her group of friends get a thrill out of communicating with spirits, things go too far when Mia doesn’t close the door to the other side.
The Conjuring
The Conjuring is a multi-film franchise that started in 2013 with James Wan’s The Conjuring. Since then, it has expanded with spinoffs like Annabelle, The Nun, and sequels to the original film. Due to the popularity of the movies, The Conjuring has become one of the most profitable franchises in Warner Bros.' portfolio.
Bring Her Back
Piper, a partially blind teen, and her protective older brother Andy move into the home of Laura, a grieving foster mom with chilling secrets. Months shy of turning 18 and gaining custody of Piper, Andy must confront Laura’s disturbing rituals as sibling bonds are tested.
