Billy Barratt, star of Danny and Michael Philippou's horror film 'Bring Her Back', revealed that he achieved his best performance after being locked alone in a room without his phone. The 17-year-old British actor, known for his roles in 'Invasion' and 'Responsible Child', said director Danny Philippou would isolate him for up to half an hour to help him get into character.
Barratt described the experience as initially funny but later freaky and scary, yet ultimately beneficial. 'Seeing the effect it had actually helped me so much, not just in the script but in future projects as well. So thank you, Danny,' he said. The technique allowed him to immerse himself fully in the intense atmosphere of the film.
'Bring Her Back' follows siblings Andy (Barratt) and Piper (Sora Wong), who is partially sighted, as they are fostered by a seemingly kind woman named Laura, played by two-time Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins. Barratt noted that the film is 'more emotion than just jump scares and gory things'. Hawkins fully immersed herself in her role, even staying in character throughout the shoot, as Barratt discovered at the wrap party when she said they had not met 'as me yet properly'.
Barratt praised the three-week pre-production period in Adelaide, Australia, which allowed him and Wong to develop a genuine brother-sister bond. 'It actually helped me and Sora to have that sort of brother-sister relationship, which is hard to get until you actually hang out with them,' he said. The actor, who won an International Emmy for 'Responsible Child' at age 12, has already filmed a third season of 'Invasion', expected later this year.
