Never Let Go
Starring/Produced by: Halle Berry
Directed by : Alexander Aja
Written by: Kevin Coughlin; Ryan Grassby
USA (2024)
Overview/Synopsis
Going into Never Let Go, I was both excited and nervous. I was thrilled to see a Black leading lady carry a film, but I also wondered how the public would receive her performance. I hoped for the same love we saw for Lupita Nyong’o in A Quiet Place: Day One. With fingers crossed, I entered the theater and ended up loving what I saw, although I felt the film was pitched the wrong way in the previews. Never Let Go serves as a modern-day allegory of the lurking threat of evil in plain sight and joins the ranks of American Gothic horror films like Beloved, Frailty, Mud, The Road, and Winter’s Bone. Halle Berry stars as “Momma,” the mother of two young boys, Samuel and Nolan. The story centers on the family being physically tethered to their home by long ropes, which symbolize their bonds of safety, protecting them from the evil presence lurking in the woods.
Anthony B. Jenkins as Samuel, Halle Berry as Momma and Percy Daggs IV as Nolan in Never Let Go. Photo Credit: Liane Hentscher
First Thoughts
Initially, my reaction to Never Let Go was mixed; I struggled to determine if my impatience was the issue or if the nuanced subtleties simply felt too slow. Anticipating a horror film, I was frustrated by the lack of terror, expecting more from director Aja. Had I known I was entering an American Gothic tale, I might have approached it with greater patience. The marketing led me to believe it would be closer to It Comes at Night, which, while a slow burn, maintained a tighter pace and an eerie tension that held my attention better than Never Let Go.
Characters/Portrayal
The characters in Never Let Go were not what I expected. The trailer sold the idea of Halle Berry as a mother fiercely protecting her two young sons from a supernatural threat. However, the story focused more on sibling dynamics and the brothers’ trust in their mother. I liken this to Frailty, where two brothers question their father’s intentions, paralleling Samuel and Nolan, who question their mother’s choices. These young actors—Anthony Jenkins as Samuel and Percy Dagds IV as Nolan—carried significant responsibility, especially as Halle Berry’s character faded toward the end of the second act. Their performances were impressive, nuanced, and believable in their defiance, love, and fear. Halle Berry delivered a solid portrayal of “Momma,” though her Southern accent felt inconsistent at times, sounding more like her natural voice than a distinct character choice.
Direction
The direction by Aja had strong moments, particularly in creating the tension between the natural and supernatural. However, the pacing felt slow at times, and although the woods were beautifully shot, they didn’t evoke the necessary tension. I feel this film might have been better categorized as a drama. Many American Gothic tales reveal themselves as dramas with horrific elements, and this is a classic example.
Writing
The writing felt very poetic and allegorical, embodying the essence of American Gothic by exploring themes of good versus evil, safety, and betrayal. While these elements contribute to the film’s dramatic tone, the marketing positioned it as a horror movie, leading me to expect a more ominous tone in the dialogue and less repetitiveness. The phrase “don’t let go of the rope; it’s your lifeline” was repeated excessively, which diminished the sense of urgency and terror. As the film progressed, I struggled to maintain my energy due to the repetitive nature of the dialogue, which seemed to lack stakes that would heighten my belief in the urgency of the situation.
Pacing
The pacing hindered the mounting tension and the ability to evoke fear and anxiety. I anticipated a deeper sense creeping eeriness, yet I never felt truly unsettled as much as I felt immersed in a existential drama.
Sound Design/Orchestration/Soundtrack
The sound design was effective in pivoting between natural and supernatural elements, transitioning from calm to moments of cringe that heightened the experience.
Final Thoughts
In the end, Never Let Go is a solid drama about trust and faith that encourages viewers to reflect on how truth and lies can coexist and shape their perceptions. I liken this to Frailty and The Road as somewhere between a family apocalytptic drama and American Gothic Horror. And while I appreciated the themes and character development, the “horror” execution felt less of the focal driving framework, vastly different from the marketing. Still and overall if this is setting the scene for a franchise…I’m all in for the bigger world of demons in plain sight.