When horror meets humanity, and eye care meets empathy, you get something special. In this Reel Eyes Podcast episode, Dr. Jacobi Cleaver and Dr. Jacob Wilson explore the haunting Australian film Bring Her Back, directed by twins Dani and Michael Philippou. Known for their breakout hit Talk to Me, the Philippou brothers craft another deeply unsettling yet thought-provoking story that weaves together horror, symbolism, and the resilience of the human spirit.
But what makes this episode stand out isn’t just the movie’s chilling narrative—it’s the heartfelt discussion around representation and the remarkable performance of Sora Wong, a visually impaired actress living with coloboma and microphthalmia, who portrays the film’s young heroine, Piper.
Topics Covered
The Intersection of Horror and HumanityThe Storyline Behind Bring Her BackAuthentic Representation in Film Optometry Meets Pop Culture: Coloboma and MicrophthalmiaReal-Life Lessons for Eye Care ProfessionalsSeeing Beyond the Screen
The Intersection of Horror and Humanity
The Reel Eyes Podcast exists where film analysis meets clinical insight, allowing optometrists to view pop culture through a new lens—literally. In Bring Her Back, Dr. Cleaver and Dr. Wilson dissect a horror film that offers far more than jump scares. Beneath its dark atmosphere lies an exploration of trauma, family bonds, and disability representation—subjects that resonate deeply within healthcare.
As Dr. Cleaver notes, “It gave us more than a typical horror movie—beyond the slash and gore, it had depth, backstory, and a message.”
The Storyline Behind Bring Her Back
Without spoiling too much, Bring Her Back centers on two orphaned siblings—Andy and his visually impaired sister, Piper—who are taken in by a foster mother with sinister secrets. The story dives into grief, manipulation, and resilience while blending supernatural rituals with raw human emotion.
Dr. Wilson describes it best: “This was one of the few horror films where creativity was unmatched—it reminded me why I love this genre.”
From disturbing rituals and familial dysfunction to one of the most unnerving scenes involving Piper’s blindness being weaponized by her abuser, the movie’s emotional intensity leaves viewers shaken—and deeply reflective.
Authentic Representation in Film
What truly elevates Bring Her Back is its casting choice. The lead actress, Sora Wong, isn’t just acting—she’s living the experience of visual impairment. Born with coloboma and microphthalmia, Wong’s authenticity brings a rare and powerful realism to the screen.
Dr. Cleaver highlights, “Hollywood can emulate anything, but the subtleties in her performance—the way one eye wandered, the way she moved—those are real. That’s lived experience.”
Her story is just as inspiring as her performance. With no acting background, Wong’s mother found an open casting call on Facebook for a visually impaired young female. Sora auditioned, landed the role, and transformed a Facebook scroll into a breakout acting debut.
Optometry Meets Pop Culture: Coloboma and Microphthalmia
For eye care professionals,
