Fans of ‘The Exorcist’ Will Love Netflix's Terrifying New Horror Film, 'The Deliverance'
I like to steer clear of horror flicks that explore the spiritual realm. Demon possession? Exorcisms? Levitating bodies?? Um, no thanks. I like to sleep peacefully at night, and I prefer to keep it that way.
But surprisingly, I was willing to set my fears aside for Netflix's The Deliverance, which dropped on the streaming service today. Directed by Lee Daniels, the faith-based horror is inspired by the real-life case of Latoya Ammons, who claimed that her home was haunted by demons. Much like The Exorcist, it features several nightmare-worthy scenes (you can bet I'll be sleeping with my lights on), and it boasts a predominantly Black cast. But three things stood out for me when I watched this film: Andra Day's stellar performance, her character's redemption arc and Lee's honest approach to family dysfunction.
Keep reading for details on the film and my honest review.
First, What Is The Deliverance About?
The chilling supernatural horror revolves around Ebony Jackson (Day), a single mother of three who struggles with alcohol addiction. When she moves with her religious mother (Glenn Close) and three children to a rental home in Indiana, she hopes to get a fresh start, but things quickly spiral out of control when strange occurrences happen in their new home. First, there's a seemingly harmless fly infestation. Then, her youngest son, Andre (Anthony B. Jenkins), starts talking to his "imaginary friend." But when mysterious bruises start to appear on her kids' bodies, it raises the suspicions of a DCS officer, and Ebony realizes that something more sinister is going on.
What's the Real Story That Inspired the Movie?
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In November 2011, Latoya Ammons, her mother, Rosa, and her three children reportedly started having supernatural experiences after moving to their new home in Gary, Indiana. Similar to the film, it all started with a fly infestation and foul odors coming from their basement. Per BBC, Ammons claimed that her children walked up walls, levitated and spoke in deeper voices. And here's the wild part: There are official police reports to back up her claims.
For instance, psychologists revealed that they saw Ammon's nine-year-old child speak in "different deep voices" and "walk up the wall backwards." Also, similar to Andre in the film, they claimed that Ammon's son "flipped over and landed on his feet." The news outlet reported that the police chief working the case deemed himself a "believer" after visiting the family and witnessing some of the children's behavior.
My Honest Review of The Deliverance
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I may be a total wimp when it comes to scary horror flicks like this, but if there's one thing I can't resist, it's a solid redemption arc. Day seriously nails her role as the troubled alcoholic mom who's genuinely trying her best. Ebony is fiercely protective of her children (so much so that she'll throw hands with teenagers to stop them from bullying her kids) and she's quick to discipline them, but her bitterness and resentment towards her mom take a toll on her well-being and negatively affects how she treats her own kids.
What I really like is that Daniels takes time to explore this complicated dynamic and Ebony's journey, rather than focusing mainly on the jump-scares. For instance, he sheds light on both of their shortcomings and highlights how unforgiveness in mother-daughter relationships can be a burden. He also pulls the curtain back on Ebony's traumatic childhood before she finally opens up to a concerned reverend about her past—and I won't spoil the ending, but I will say, it was encouraging to see Ebony's confidence build and her mindset shift after they prayed together.
Now, for you Exorcist fans out there—yes, you will see some seriously creepy, gravity-defying stunts, including one hospital scene where Andre spider-crawls up a wall. And while the film isn't necessarily packed with jump-scares, it still carries a dark and ominous tone that will immediately set you on edge—thanks in part to the dim lighting and suspenseful soundtrack. Still, you can expect a bit more than a good scare. Whether you're an Andra Day fan (like me) or simply fascinated by horror films that dive into religious themes (in this case, Christianity), then you'll want to add this one to your watch list.
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