Lee Daniels’ The Deliverance: Expect the Unexpected
Director: Lee Daniels
Streaming On: Netflix (Available from August 30)
When it comes to reviewing films, I often find myself grappling with how a director’s vision aligns with the final product. Sometimes, a movie falters because the director didn’t quite achieve their intended goal. Other times, the concept itself is flawed. Then there’s a rare breed of film, like The Deliverance, that leaves me puzzled and disappointed, unsure of what the filmmaker was truly aiming for, yet certain they missed the mark.
In The Deliverance, Andra Day stars as Ebony Jackson, a single mother caught in a web of financial struggles and alcohol dependence. Alongside her children—Nate (Caleb McLaughlin), Shante (Demi Singleton), and Andre (Anthony B. Jenkins)—Ebony seeks a fresh start in Pittsburgh. Her mother, Alberta (Glenn Close), who is battling cancer and newly devout in her Christian faith, disapproves of Ebony’s choices. The tension between them is almost palpable, and it escalates with Ebony’s temperamental outbursts and questionable parenting.
Things spiral further when the children start exhibiting bizarre behavior, including speaking in tongues and climbing walls. Ebony, convinced that her children are possessed, turns to Reverend Bernice James (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor) for an exorcism. What follows is a jarring shift from a family drama to an exploitation-heavy horror film.
The film’s first half is engaging as a drama but takes a disorienting turn into horror that feels both out of place and exploitative. Daniels draws inspiration from the 2011 Ammons haunting case, a story that has been largely debunked, yet the film treats its dark themes with a disturbing lack of sensitivity. It’s difficult to reconcile the film’s portrayal of real-world issues with its supernatural elements, making the overall experience feel incongruent.
Andra Day delivers a gripping performance as Ebony, bringing depth to a character that is often unlikeable but undeniably human. Glenn Close’s portrayal of Alberta, while intense, feels like an unfortunate use of her considerable talent, reducing a revered actress to a caricature of a cancer patient turned demonic figure. Ellis-Taylor’s role as the wise reverend is overshadowed by the film’s erratic narrative shifts.
While The Deliverance keeps you hooked with its bizarre and unsettling scenes, it ultimately leaves you feeling manipulated and frustrated. The film’s attempts to blend family drama with horror not only falter but also contribute to an unsettling experience that fails to justify its own existence. For those curious, it’s a film that might make you question why it was made in the first place.
If you’re interested in exploring horror films with a religious twist or are a fan of Andra Day, you might find something to appreciate here. However, be prepared for a rollercoaster of emotions that might leave you questioning the purpose behind this chaotic film.
Feel free to check out The Deliverance on Netflix if you’re in the mood for a film that’s as perplexing as it is intense. Just keep in mind that it’s as much an emotional challenge as it is a viewing experience.
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