Having just moved into their new home, a woman, her three children and their grandmother are confronted with strange phenomena. Already under surveillance by child protection services, the mother struggles to convince them that her family is in danger.
Singer Andra Day won a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination for her role in The United States vs. Billie Holidayby Lee Daniels (Precious, The Butler). The director has once again called upon the talented artist to lead his film. She probably won’t win any awards this time, but she still delivers an impressive performance.
She plays Ebony Jackson, a single mother – her father is in Iraq – of three children: Nate (Caleb McLaughlin), Shante (Demi Singleton) and Andre (Anthony B. Jenkins). Newly settled in Pittsburgh, the family now welcomes Alberta (Glenn Close), Ebony’s mother who has cancer and is working hard to look young.
The relationship between the two has been strained for a long time. Although she loves them, Ebony is not always tender with her family and drowns her regrets in alcohol. Thus, social worker Cynthia Henry (Mo’Nique) regularly visits the Jacksons.
In favor of a more sustained rhythm, Lee Daniels allows his actresses to express themselves with force and authenticity. They sometimes border on excess, but remain convincing.
The acting of Andra Day and the venerable Glenn Close is undoubtedly the best thing the film has to offer.
The trailer promises suspense reminiscent of Poltergeist And The Exorcistand several of their elements manifest themselves in the third act, but the majority of The Deliverance is devoted to the story of a family tested by the hazards of life. Without being supported, but without great subtlety – Lee Daniels does not overflow –, faith in God and in others is in subtext.
An evil force coming from the basement of the house will gradually take over the minds of the three young people. Ebony will have to convince those who believe she is responsible for the abuse of her children that she is trying to protect them, then open herself to the saving power of Jesus Christ.
The screenplay by David Coggeshall (The Family Plan, Prey) and Elijah Bynum (Hot Summer Nights) is inspired by the true story of Latoya Ammons, who was allegedly similarly haunted in Gary, Indiana. Several witnesses have corroborated the strange phenomena, but that doesn’t mean they’re believed on screen.
It’s not the mediocre visuals or the abundance of shrill violins, but rather the abandonment of what really matters. Ebony’s misfortunes manage to move us enough to hope that she comes out of it with her head held high surrounded by her children. Seeing her face off against a shape-shifting demon isn’t as great a metaphor as it’s made out to be. Real life is often scarier than horror movies.
On Netflix
Suspense
The Deliverance (VF: The Deliverance)
Lee Daniels
With Andra Day, Glenn Close, Mo’Nique
1 h 52