Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
A possession horror flick from the Oscar-nominated director ofThe ButlerandPrecious, co-written by the filmmaker behind the ill-fatedMagazine Dreams, and starring Academy Award nominees Andra Day, Glenn Close, and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor is probably not something you had on your 2024 bingo card, but it’s exactly what Netflix is making audiences suffer inThe Deliverance. And despite its ambitions — and pretensions —The Deliverancedoes not transcend its genre trappings; it just attempts to ignore them to incredibly dull results.
The DeliveranceReview
The film tells the story of a family plagued by strange, demonic occurrences in their otherwise peaceful household, which causes them to become convinced that their house is actually a portal to Hell. The closing credits claim that the script was inspired by the true story of Latoya Ammons, but you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference because of all the generic tropes and formulaic beats it follows.
Alien: Romulus Review — The Franchise Is Scary Again With a Mostly Minimalist Creature Feature
This is the type of horror movie that clearly wants to be seen as a drama disguised as a horror movie, but the themes are painfully obvious. The literal demons are a metaphor for the inner turmoil of the characters. How many times have you seen that premise done before? Although originality and success do not necessarily correlate,The Deliverancewants to say a lot but doesn’t know how.
The Deliverancealso suffers from rushed pacing, which is surprising given that its 111-minute runtime is on the longer end for a genre movie like this. However, in the third act, it especially starts to feel as if it realizes that the spooky stuff going down isn’t scary enough. Because of this, it shoves in as much generic possession nonsense as possible — kids crawling up walls, possessed characters talking in a raspy, deep voice, etc.
The Exorcism Review — Russell Crowe Meta Horror Intrigues but Doesn’t Scare
A horror movie can be forgiven for not being scary if it at least has a compelling story and characters, butThe Deliverancefalls short in this department, too. Andra Day’s character, a mother caring for her children alone because her husband is deployed overseas, is meant to be flawed. She has a dark past that interferes with her relationship with her kids. But the script takes that to the extreme and makes her outright unlikable. Scenes of borderline abusive behavior and casual racism will make it hard for audiences to root for her.
Andra Day is still early in her career, reuniting inThe Deliverancewith director Lee Daniels, who gave Day her big break with her Oscar-nominated turn inThe People vs. Billie Holliday. She’s fine here — in fact, she’s one of the few performers in the cast that feels suited to their role, delivering the incredibly poorly written dialogue with every ounce of sincerity she can muster.
As for the rest of the cast, you can tell that they’re all stepping down here. Glenn Close phones in her performance in a role that clearly does not require her talents. Mo’Nique feels like she’s only here as part of an apology from the director from their decade-plus feud. Caleb McLaughlin feels woefully miscast in his role. Only Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor seems to know what type of movie she’s in, allowing herself to actually have fun in the role.
In a Violent Nature Director Chris Nash Talks 2024’s Buzziest Horror Film (INTERVIEW)
Daniels’s direction is not bad, offering some genuinely effective horror elements. The cinematography, production design, and effects all check the typical boxes of the possession subgenre of horror. It’s competently made, although praising a two-time Oscar-nominated director for achieving the bare minimum should not be a situation we’re in. Alas, this is the level on whichThe Deliveranceoperates.
IsThe Deliveranceworth watching?
All said and done,The Deliveranceis about what one would expect from a horror picture directed by a filmmaker known for directing prestige dramas. The production values are solid, and the cast is star-studded, but they aren’t enough to offer the film salvation for the cardinal sins of its script.
The Deliverancehits theaters on August 16 and streams on Netflix beginning August 30.
Follow us for more entertainment coverage onFacebook,Twitter,Instagram, andYouTube.
Sean Boelman
Managing Editor for Film and TV
Articles Published :441
Sean is the Managing Editor for Film and Television, working to determine editorial strategy for the critics team. He has been on the FandomWire team since 2022.In addition to writing reviews himself, Sean helps match writers on the FandomWire team with assignments that best fit their interests and expertise.
More from Sean Boelman
“This is a match made in Heaven”: Mason Gooding and Dylan Sprouse on Working Together in Under Fire (INTERVIEW)
Highest 2 Lowest Review — Spike Lee’s Kurosawa Remake Is Saved by a Phenomenal Denzel Washington
Is This the Best New Way to Watch The Matrix? Reviewing Cosm in Dallas, TX
Recommended
2 Reasons Why the Helldivers 2 x Halo ODST Warbond Isn’t Perfect
Who Is Jasveen Sangha: Ketamine Queen Connected to Matthew Perry’s Death
Sean McLaughlin’s Dad Just Became the Unlikely Villain (or Hero) of ‘Bachelor in Paradise’
Madison Beer’s Boyfriend: Who Is She Dating?
Helldivers 2 X Halo ODST Legendary Warbond Crossover: Complete Rundown
Good Boy Director Explains How He Made His Dog Act in 2025’s Most Inventive Horror Movie
Glenn CloseHorrorHorror filmsNetflix
