The horror season is off to a great start with the release of Never Let Go. Directed by Alexandre Aja (The Hills Have Eyes, Piranha), this film is packed with scares. The story is simple – a rope tied to the foundation of an old house is released and a monster attacks. However, the film shines through the bond that is firmly established between a mother and son.
Halle Berry delivered a brilliant performance as the mother, combining her years of experience in the entertainment industry with the emotion of motherhood. The most powerful scenes in the film come from Halle Berry’s performance as a mother who would do anything for her children. The two children, Samuel and Nolan, played by Percy Daggs IV and Anthony B. Jenkins, have amazing chemistry and create some of the most memorable scenes in the film. These two actors are young yet capable of perfectly expressing deep emotions on screen, and are sure to make it big in the entertainment industry.
Additionally, the cinematography is truly stunning. The lush greenery and wildlife accentuate the film, enhancing an already amazing movie. You are drawn into the scenery and empathize with the characters. The forest landscapes, filmed in Vancouver, Canada, are a perfect fit for the film’s theme. Additionally, the costume design and effects are commendable for their realism and believability.
Many scenes feature special effects, but they are used in a way that doesn’t seem out of place with the settings or characters. Another standout feature is the film’s music, a highly dynamic medley that balances horror elements with wholesome family moments, making for an enjoyable listening experience.
The characterization is realized to some extent through the setting. It is as if the house the characters live in is a character in itself. The characters interact with the house and it becomes an integral part of the film. It symbolizes the strength of the family relationships that the characters struggle to maintain throughout the film. This bond is tested many times throughout the film and the characters change in many ways. Ultimately, these characters and the way their stories are written is phenomenal. It feels like screenwriters Kevin Coughlin and Ryan Grasby created these characters and then shaped the plot around them.
The film has many unexpected twists and turns that will leave the viewer questioning different aspects of the story, both during the film and after its conclusion. This is not to say that the plot of the film is confusing, but rather that the film leaves many loose ends for the viewer to draw their own conclusions. With a running time of just under two hours, it feels like there isn’t enough time to fully flesh out additional ideas or tie up loose ends. Still, every scene in the film is carefully crafted to help the viewer solve the sinister mystery facing the on-screen family.
Fans of the “A Quiet Place” series will enjoy this film for its similar focus on family and survival from real-world monsters. The film also has some nods to Jordan Peele’s “Get Out” in terms of the monsters a family faces. “Never Let Go” takes inspiration from modern horror classics while refreshing established formulas and carving out its own path.
As the film is a psychological horror, there are plenty of opportunities to play with human psychology in ways that are clearly terrifying to the audience and the characters. Overall, it’s a surprisingly good film, with incredible acting and cinematography that will leave audiences clamoring to see more.