Never Let Go
Set in a not-too-distant apocalyptic future, Never Let Go stars Halle Berry as an innominate mother living a secluded life in the wilderness with her twin sons, Nolan (Percy Daggs IV) and Samuel (Anthony B Jenkins). Evil forces, the likes of which only Momma can see, lurk in the forest. A single touch from these forces may result in demonic possession, so Nolan and Samuel must remain attached to a rope at all times when wandering through the woods. But while Samuel acquiesces to all his mother’s increasingly onerous demands, Nolan begins to question the reality that his sole protector has put forth.
Berry gives a brilliant performance as a mother desperate to protect her children whilst teetering on the precipice of sanity. The film does a good job of blurring the lines between survivalist tropes, which would have otherwise propelled it into Bird Box territory, and a depiction of gradual mental deterioration as a result of an insular existence. Newcomers Daggs IV and Jenkins are impressive in their respective roles, with the former in particular giving a nuanced performance as a child trying to break free from a seemingly overbearing parent.
There are allusions to fairytales aplenty, with the morbid motifs of the Brothers Grimm being particularly prominent. Alexandre Aja’s suitably eerie direction almost elevates the movie from by-the-numbers horror fare into something far more abstract and thought-provoking. But atmospheric shots of rustling trees and portentous woodland life are not enough to save the feature from predictable stylistic devices. It all feels a bit M Night Shyamalan, with Signs-esque jump scares, spiritual allegories and grotesque monsters emerging from the shadows.
While the story has considerable potential, Never Let Go is ultimately a missed opportunity to breathe new life into the survival genre. Nevertheless, it’s a watchable horror flick with enough eerie moments and compelling performances to make it worth a look.
Antonia Georgiou
Never Let Go is released nationwide on 27th September 2024.
Watch the trailer for Never Let Go here:
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