The Deliverance Review : This horror fails to deliver and is a demonic disappointment

Story: When a Black family moves into a new house, they face strange and demonic occurrences that start to affect the three children. As the disturbances intensify, the family struggles to protect their children.

Review: Based on a true story from Pittsburgh in 2011, ‘The Deliverance,’ despite being directed by Lee Daniels, ends up being a tiresome experience. The film attempts to avoid the shadow of William Friedkin's ‘The Exorcist,’ but in its final moments, the influence becomes hard to ignore. The movie struggles to decide whether to pursue atmospheric horror or follow in the footsteps of ‘The Exorcist,’ resulting in a deeply unsatisfying outcome. It comes across more as a domestic drama with horror elements that ultimately fail to captivate.

The film centers on Ebony (Andra Day), a single mother grappling with financial difficulties, a drinking problem, and scrutiny from social services. She is raising her three children—Nate (Caleb McLaughlin), Shante (Demi Singleton), and Andre (Anthony B Jenkins)—while also caring for her mother, Alberta (Glenn Close), who is battling cancer. Despite a complex relationship with her mother, Ebony fulfills her responsibilities as a daughter. After the family moves to a new house, they experience strange and unsettling events. Her younger son, Andre, starts talking to an imaginary friend named Trey, who he claims lives in the basement. Both Chante, the daughter, and Nate, the eldest son, begin showing signs of an evil presence in the house. As the situation escalates, Ebony turns to Bernice (Aunjanue Ellis Taylor), an apostle, to help drive away the malevolent spirit.

‘The Deliverance’ starts strong by depicting the family's struggles with an absent father and their daily grind. Ebony's reaction when local kids bully Andre feels authentic, as does her immediate response to teach them a lesson. The film also effectively explores the complex mother-daughter relationship. However, as the story delves deeper into horror, it begins to lose its way. The final scene resembles an exorcism more than a true deliverance, leading one to question how Lee Daniels went so wrong. While the atmospheric horror has potential, it ultimately fails to resonate.

Andra Day delivers a compelling performance as Ebony, a single mother, constantly worried about her family's future. Her portrayal is powerful and absolute. Glenn Close adds distinct traits to her role as Alberta, though there are moments where her performance feels a bit over the top. Nonetheless, it's a challenging role, depicting a white woman who has spent her life among Black people. Mo’Nique, as the social worker Cynthia, brings a sincere and impactful performance. She excels in portraying a character determined to help Ebony navigate her precarious situation, despite the frustration caused by Ebony's guarded behaviour.

Watching the film, it feels as though the director is more focused on viewers finding faith in deliverance than on creating a genuinely horrifying atmosphere. With an evil spirit at the core, Daniels’ approach seems misguided. In a horror film, the terrifying elements cannot be withheld from the audience for too long. Lee Daniels’ priorities appear misaligned in this film. Given the success of ‘Get Out’ and other films in the Black horror genre, this movie had the potential to offer something fresh but ultimately falls short and leaves viewers disappointed.