Never Let Go is a gripping supernatural horror film directed by Alexandre Aja (The Hills Have Eyes, Crawl), known for his talent for creating tension-filled narratives. The movie stars Halle Berry as the matriarch of a family plagued by an evil spirit, with Anthony B. Jenkins and Percy Daggs IV delivering impressive performances as her sons. Aja masterfully crafts a narrative that keeps the audience on edge, blending psychological horror with emotional storytelling to explore the boundaries between reality and the supernatural.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The story follows a family that has been haunted for years by a malevolent entity. From the opening scene, we are thrust into their world of paranoia and fear. Berry’s character is a protective and loving mother who has been the family’s rock throughout their haunting. Her sons, played by Jenkins and Daggs IV, add layers of depth to the story, each handling the presence of the spirit differently. The real twist occurs when one of the sons starts questioning whether the evil they fear is real or a figment of their collective imagination. This question sets the tone for the film, sending the family—and the audience—on a chilling journey to uncover the truth.
Powerful Performances
Halle Berry shines in the role, portraying a mother who is constantly on the edge, torn between protecting her children and confronting the fear that has controlled their lives. Berry brings emotional weight to the film, delivering a performance that balances vulnerability with determination. She captures the complex emotions of a parent facing an unimaginable threat, all while clinging to the hope that her family might find peace.
Anthony B. Jenkins and Percy Daggs IV also give remarkable performances as her sons. Their chemistry with Berry creates a believable family dynamic, adding authenticity to their portrayal of fear, confusion, and hope. Daggs IV, portraying the more skeptical of the two sons, delivers a performance full of subtlety and inner turmoil. He becomes the voice of reason, questioning the existence of the evil entity and pushing the narrative into uncharted territory. Jenkins, on the other hand, plays the more sensitive and frightened sibling, embodying the emotional toll the haunting has taken on the family.
The strength of these performances lies in how they convey fear without resorting to typical horror movie tropes. Each character’s reaction to the haunting feels real and raw, creating an emotional connection with the audience. As the film progresses, their interactions become increasingly intense, reflecting the strain the haunting has put on their relationships. It is through these performances that Never Let Go becomes more than just a horror movie; it becomes a story about family, trauma, and the lengths one goes to protect loved ones.
Storytelling and Direction
Alexandre Aja directs with a meticulous hand, focusing on building suspense and tension rather than relying on cheap jump scares. The narrative is paced perfectly, allowing the story to unfold in a way that keeps the audience guessing until the very end. The film’s structure mirrors the family’s descent into uncertainty, making viewers question what is real and what might be imagined. Aja uses this uncertainty to amplify the horror, creating a sense of dread that lingers throughout the movie.
The screenplay is well-written, offering a fresh take on the classic haunted house story. It cleverly plays with the audience’s expectations, introducing psychological elements that make the supernatural occurrences even more disturbing. The dialogue is sharp and insightful, allowing the characters to express their fear, skepticism, and hope in a way that feels genuine. The plot twists are executed skillfully, providing revelations that add depth to the story without feeling contrived.
Atmosphere and Scares
Never Let Go excels in creating an unsettling atmosphere. The cinematography is hauntingly beautiful, with Aja using shadows, dim lighting, and confined spaces to evoke a claustrophobic sense of fear. The sound design further heightens the tension, employing eerie silences and sudden, jarring noises that catch the audience off guard. The scares in this film are not just about startling the viewer; they are deeply psychological, playing on the characters’ and viewers’ perceptions of reality.
The film’s greatest strength lies in its ability to build tension. Each scene is crafted to keep you on the edge of your seat, never quite sure when the next scare will come. Aja uses suspense to its fullest, often letting a scene play out in near silence, making the eventual horror all the more impactful. The horror elements are not overdone; instead, they are interwoven with the family drama, making each scare meaningful and relevant to the story.
Faults of the Movie
As with many high-concept horror films, Never Let Go struggles when it comes to sticking the landing. The story unfolds with such precision and a slow-burning tension that it becomes increasingly difficult to tie up the numerous narrative threads in a satisfying manner. As the film approaches its climax, it starts to lose some of its earlier focus, becoming somewhat muddled as it grasps for a conclusive ending. The final act attempts to blend supernatural horror with psychological drama, leading to a conclusion that feels both rushed and somewhat ambiguous.
This shortcoming doesn’t completely derail the film, but it does leave viewers with unanswered questions and a sense of incompleteness. While ambiguity can sometimes enhance a horror film, here it feels more like a lack of resolution, as if the story is unsure of how to resolve the mysteries it has so carefully built up. The final reveal, while unexpected, doesn’t fully capitalize on the tension and character development that came before it, leaving the audience wishing for a bit more clarity or depth in the resolution.
However, despite these faults, there is still enough dread and suspense, buoyed by the three great central performances, to carry the film through to the end. The strength of the cast and the direction up to that point helps mitigate some of the shortcomings in the film’s conclusion. Though it may falter in its final moments, Never Let Go still succeeds in creating a haunting atmosphere that lingers long after the screen goes dark.
Conclusion
Never Let Go is a hauntingly crafted film that delivers a deep exploration of fear, family, and the unknown. Halle Berry’s compelling portrayal, along with the remarkable performances of Anthony B. Jenkins and Percy Daggs IV, grounds the story in a raw emotional reality that makes the horror feel intensely personal. Alexandre Aja’s direction and the film’s well-written narrative elevate it above standard genre fare, providing a chilling experience that keeps you on edge throughout.
However, like many high-concept horror films, Never Let Go stumbles as it reaches for an ending. The final act attempts to wrap up its intricate storyline with a twist that feels both rushed and somewhat unresolved. This ambiguity can leave viewers feeling a bit unsatisfied, as the movie’s buildup promises a conclusion that doesn’t quite materialize with the same precision. Despite this misstep, the film maintains enough dread, tension, and strong performances to carry it through to the end.
Ultimately, Never Let Go stands out as a must-watch for horror fans. Its atmospheric scares and emotional depth offer a gripping experience, even if its conclusion leaves a few unanswered questions. The journey it takes the audience on, filled with genuine suspense and psychological terror, makes it a worthy addition to the supernatural horror genre.
About Never Let Go
Synopsis: A family that has been haunted by an evil spirit for years. Their safety and their surroundings come into question when one of the children questions if the evil is real.
Director: Alexandre Aja
Writers: KC Coughlin, Ryan Grassby
Cast: Halle Berry, Anthony B. Jenkins, Percy Daggs IV, Stephanie Lavigne, William Catlett
Rated: R
Runtime: 1h 41m
Releases: September 20, 2024
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