Director Lee Daniels’ new possession horror The Deliverance is now streaming. The film is inspired by a real-life event that took place at the infamous “Demon House,” a case that gripped the nation in 2011. Zak Bagans even made a documentary about it. But is the movie worth watching?
“At the heart of The Deliverance is the harrowing experience of Latoya Ammons and her family. Their Gary, Indiana, home became a living nightmare when unexplained and terrifying occurrences began to plague their lives. From children levitating to speaking in demonic voices, the family endured unimaginable horrors. The situation escalated to such a degree that it drew the attention of authorities, including a police officer, a nurse, and a child protective services caseworker, who witnessed firsthand the inexplicable phenomena.”
Despite a talented cast featuring Andra Day, Omar Epps, Caleb McLaughlin, Demi Singleton, and Mo’Nique, the film struggles to deliver a compelling narrative. Unfortunately, Glenn Close, a renowned Oscar-winning actress, is wasted in a stereotypical role lacking depth. She is portrayed as a cheap and obnoxious character with cringe-worthy dialogue and a look that reminds me of a $5 hooker. Andra Day’s character is equally problematic, presented as a rude, cruel, alcoholic, and abusive mother. While her troubled childhood is repeatedly referenced, it fails to elicit sympathy, making it difficult to root for such an unlikable character. The film’s attempt to redeem her in the final minutes falls flat and left me unsatisfied and underwhelmed.
The film leans heavily on racial tropes, feeling more like a checklist than a nuanced character exploration. We have the angry black woman who is a struggling single mom with an addiction. Then there are the mistreated children and an absent father. The protagonist’s journey is heavily focused on her racial identity, almost overshadowing the film’s central plot. How many times do we have to see a character like this? There have been too many to count. It’s characters like this that enforce a negative stereotype that needs to stop.
The movie’s CGI is so laughably bad that it is distracting. The scene with the boy on the wall, in particular, is so poorly rendered that you can’t take it seriously. It comes off as so unrealistic and cartoonish that I actually laughed out loud.
Given Daniels’ impressive track record with projects like Precious, “Empire,” and The United States vs. Billie Holiday, The Deliverance‘s shortcomings are particularly disappointing and confusing. It stands in stark contrast to his previous work and left me wondering how the movie went so wrong.
While the young actors in the film deliver commendable performances, unfortunately, the rest of the movie falls short. The Deliverance is a disappointing effort that fails to live up to the potential set by its talented cast and director. If you’re looking for a quality film, I recommend looking elsewhere. However, if you are a gluten for punishment, you can find the movie now streaming on Netflix.
