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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 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, Bring Her Back opens an important conversation about congenital eye conditions.
- Coloboma occurs when the embryonic fissure fails to close completely, often resulting in a “keyhole” appearance of the iris or optic nerve.
- Microphthalmia refers to an underdeveloped eye, often smaller than normal, with reduced visual function.
Dr. Wilson explains, “These are developmental conditions where the eyes don’t fully form during gestation. There’s no surgical fix—so it’s about helping patients maximize the vision they do have.”
Both doctors emphasized how these patients often display exceptional adaptability, creativity, and optimism despite limited vision.
Real-Life Lessons for Eye Care Professionals
While the film’s darkness is fictional, its lessons are not. The discussion transitions seamlessly from cinematic horror to real-world hope as Dr. Cleaver shares a patient story:
A woman who lost her vision later in life sought training at a Texas rehabilitation center that helps visually impaired adults regain independence through orientation, braille literacy, and mobility training. “She called me after enrolling,” Dr. Cleaver shared. “She thanked me with tears in her eyes, and it nearly brought tears to mine.” For clinicians, this underscores an essential truth:
“Some of what we do is inside the exam room, but most of what we do happens outside of it.”
Optometrists are often the first step in connecting patients with low vision resources, mental health support, and independence training programs. As Dr. Wilson reminds listeners, “We can’t fix everything—but we can guide our patients to the right people. That’s part of our job.”
Seeing Beyond the Screen
In the end, Bring Her Back is about more than horror, it’s about overcoming darkness, both literal and figurative. The Reel Eyes Podcast turns a disturbing film into an uplifting conversation about resilience, advocacy, and representation for patients living with visual impairments. For Dr. Cleaver and Dr. Wilson, the takeaway is clear:
“As long as there are movies to watch and eyes to see, we’ll keep merging these two worlds—optometry and film.”
