Danny Philippou

Biography

Danny Philippou is an Australian director, screenwriter and online creator, one half of the twin brother team known as RackaRacka. Alongside his brother Michael, he has made a name for himself in contemporary horror, blending comedy, practical effects and stunt work into a distinctive approach.

Born in 1992 in Adelaide, South Australia, to a family of Greek heritage, he and Michael started filming backyard wrestling matches as children, inspired by the WWE. In 2013 they launched the RackaRacka YouTube channel, which featured horror parodies and action sketches built around effects and stunts. Their feature directing debut came with Talk to Me (2022), shot in their hometown and produced by Causeway Films, which brought them international attention. They followed it with Bring Her Back (2025), starring Sally Hawkins, another unsettling horror film built on physical intensity.

Their work has earned awards in the online video space, and they have kept working in Australia despite relocating to Los Angeles in 2019. With a sequel, Talk 2 Me, in development, the brothers are now regarded as leading figures in a new wave of Australian horror.

Key films

• Talk to Me (2022), co-directed with his brother, a horror film about spirits summoned through a severed embalmed hand.
• Bring Her Back (2025), co-directed with his brother, a horror film about step-siblings caught in an occult ritual.
• The Babadook (2014), on which both brothers worked as part of the crew.