Movie Review: ‘Never Let Go’
Halle Berry as Mother in ‘Never Let Go’ Photo credit: Leanne Hencher.
Opening in theaters on September 20th, ‘Never Let Go’ is the latest horror thriller from Alexander Aza, who has brought us the likes of ‘Oxygen’, ‘Crawl’ and ‘The 9th Life of Louis Drax’ in recent years.
Sadly, while ‘Never Let Go’ has some interesting early ideas about faith, illusion, paranoia and doubt, it wastes most of them in a predictable fear-a-thon that ends in disappointing fashion.
Related Article: Halle Berry, Percy Daggs IV and Anthony B. Jenkins Talk ‘Never Let Go’
Does ‘Never Let Go’ hold you back?
(L to R) Anthony B Jenkins as Samuel, Halle Berry as Mum and Percy Daggs IV as Nolan in ‘Never Let Go’. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
The idea of a mother going to outrageous lengths to protect her children from some danger – be it real or imagined – is not new. ‘Never Let Go’ throws us into a post-apocalyptic world where Halle Berry’s mother lives in some place still unnamed, untouched by biblical evil (there are several instances of serpent imagery) she is sure will harm them if they Their rickets venture outside the safety of the wooden house. Tying a rope around their waist that is also attached to the foundation of the house is their main method of protection, even if it seems massively inconvenient (and indeed, it starts to cause drama).
Despite the interesting concept of an evil that may or may not be real and the small-scale storytelling, ‘Never Let Go’ still stumbles. It’s never as scary or truly thrilling as it sounds, and there are long stretches, designed to convey how hard life is getting for the family with winter’s ravages and dwindling supplies acting like a rope –– it’s slack. goes on, and the interest is severely degraded to such a degree that it never rises again, even in the face of a frenzied climax.
Scripts and instructions
‘Never Let Go’ is directed by Alexandre Aja.
Writers Kevin Coughlin and Ryan Grasby come up with a great idea, but then can’t find a way to do much fresh with it. There are a few twists and turns that we won’t specify here, but many of them will be things you’d guess, and the final act descends into sheer silliness.
Similarly Azar’s direction here is tough but inspired. The initial jump shocks give way to long agonizing sequences of rituals, routines and repetitions, and he never manages to make the concept actually work on screen.
performance
It’s really a three-hander, since our focus is almost exclusively on berries and kids…
Halle Berry as June/Mom
Halle Berry as Mother in ‘Never Let Go’ Photo credit: Leanne Hencher.
You can see why Berry might be drawn to the role, which gives her a chance to play the unyielding yet desperate and vulnerable. Her mother’s character is driven by the belief that what she sees is real, even in the face of one of her sons who begins to question its nature.
Yet at the same time, the role mostly calls for him to be nervous and anxious, becoming increasingly uncomfortable as food runs out and he contemplates turning the family’s beloved pet into their next meal. It sinks to a level of instability that begins to tear the film apart and never recovers. Berry has made a few questionable choices of late, and this is the latest.
Anthony B. Jenkins as Samuel
Anthony B. Jenkins as Samuel in ‘Never Let Go’. Photo credit: Leanne Hencher.
The “eldest” (by a few minutes) of his mother’s twins, Samuel is more mature than his brother, and who believes everything he says. Even with his own wavering beliefs, he maintains the party line about ropes and houses. Jenkins does a decent job, playing better than Berry and Dags.
Percy Daggs IV as Nolan
Percy Daggs IV as Nolan in ‘Never Let Go’. Photo credit: Leanne Hencher.
Dags is well matched with his brother as the “younger” twin, and his faith in what his mother is telling them begins to crack, adding to the tension and drama.
William Catlett as the father
It’s not too ironic to say that Barry’s character figures from the past that he firmly believes are manifestations of evil. Aside from each other we won’t explore this time, Catlett plays Berry’s seemingly dead husband, and he’s effectively creepy without needing to dive into horror tropes.
Supporting cast
With its tight focus on the family unit, there are only a few characters who emerge, and they mostly drive the plot. They’re perfectly adequate, though so limited in scope the only people who really make any sort of impact are Matthew Kevin Anderson as a hiker who shows up at the cabin, and Mila Morgan as a young girl who appears to be more than that.
final thought
(L to R) Anthony B Jenkins as Samuel, Halle Berry as Mum and Percy Daggs IV as Nolan in ‘Never Let Go’. Photo credit: Leanne Hencher.
Despite the committed performances from Berry and the boys, it’s an ultimately disappointing cinematic experience. It has some styling cues from Aja’s experience with horror thrillers, but the story’s core is never satisfying enough to carry it.
It was definitely an opportunity to explore how parents create rules to protect their children or how people with mental health issues deal with managing the outside world. But it is not an effective vehicle for either.
In the end, you might be thinking it’s less ‘Never Let’s Go’ and more “Never Lets Go.”
‘Never Let Go’ received 5.5 out of 10 stars.
“One touch is all it takes.”
Showtimes and tickets
From visionary director Alexander Aza (The Hills Have Eyes, Crawl) and the creative mind behind Stranger Things and Arrival comes Never Let Go. Read this new psychological… plot
What is the plot of ‘Never Let Go’?
A family consisting of a mother (Halle Berry) and her twin sons (Percy Daggs IV and Anthony B. Jenkins) have been tormented by a malevolent spirit for years. However, when a boy begins to suspect the existence of evil, the family’s sacred bond is shattered, leading to a dangerous fight for survival.
Who is in the cast of ‘Never Let Go’?
‘Never Let Go’ hits theaters on September 20. Photo: Lionsgate.
