A demon and a single mother walk into a bar - stop me if you heard this before. Which you probably have when it comes to haunted house films. Think Exorcism meets Paranormal Activity with a sprinkle of The Amityville Horror but perhaps not in a good way. That is what you get with Lee Daniel's The Deliverance.
Daniels’ style is often described as flamboyant and over-the-top, but that same exuberance can be what makes his work stand out. His films are marked by a bold, distinctive approach that can be polarizing but is undeniably effective when it aligns with his storytelling strengths. When he’s in top form, Daniels proves he has a unique and valuable voice in contemporary cinema.
The first half of the film was great, setting up the family dynamics and giving us a great backstory well acted by Andra Day (Ebony) and Glenn Close (Alberta). Throw in Monique (Cynthia) and you have two award winning actresses in a Netflix horror. I have never seen Glenn Close in a role like this and was taken aback at how good she was portraying this particular type of character. She is the standout in the ensemble.
Her chemistry with Andra Day should not be slept on as well. Speaking of Andra, her and Lee team up again to this critics delight as Andra gives a stellar performance of her own. Day offers a more nuanced and complex take on the horror genre. Focusing on Ebony’s internal struggles and her volatile behavior provides a deeper psychological layer to the story. This approach differentiates the film from standard horror fare by emphasizing personal demons and familial conflict before diving into the supernatural.
By starting with the psychological and social aspects of Ebony’s life, The Deliverance sets itself up as a hybrid of horror and family drama. This is a strength, providing a fresh perspective within the genre, but towards the second half of the film, it leads to a clash between the more grounded and the more supernatural elements due to the shift not being handled carefully.
While Monique, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (Bernice) and Omar Epps (Melvin) were somewhat underused, (Omar Epps character took me all the way by surprise) by the time the demon shows up I begin to lose interest in the movie as I wait for the horror to actually scare me. The kids in the film, Demi Singleton (Shante), Caleb McLaughlin (Nate) and Anthony B. Jenkins (Andre) due the best with what they are given.
Overall, the transition from focusing on Ebony’s personal and familial struggles to the supernatural elements seems to dilute the film's initial strengths. The domestic drama aspect, which seems to be the film’s strong suit, is overshadowed by the introduction of more conventional horror elements. The Deliverance started with a strong, character-driven narrative, it faltered when it moved into more traditional horror territory. The reliance on cheap effects and a heavy-handed approach to meaning likely diminished its effectiveness, leading to a film that ultimately didn’t live up to its initial promise.
The Deliverance is now streaming on Netflix.
Commentaires