"‘The Deliverance’ is a Chaotic Movie"

 

Netflix’s “The Deliverance” is one of those films that leaves you with more questions than answers—and not in a good way. Directed by Lee Daniels, the horror movie features a star-studded cast, including Andra Day, Mo'Nique, Glenn Close, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Omar Epps, and Caleb McLaughlin. Tasha Smith, Demi Singleton, Miss Lawrence, and promising newcomer Anthony B. Jenkins also make appearances.

Much of the media buzz surrounding the film highlights the reunion of Daniels and Mo'Nique, who reconciled after a lengthy public feud when Daniels apologized to the Oscar-winning actress in 2022. Originally, Octavia Spencer was cast in the film, but scheduling conflicts led Daniels to offer the role to Mo'Nique. The two previously collaborated on another horror project, “The Reading,” which premiered on BET+ in 2023. However, “The Deliverance” has much more to unpack. The film is loosely inspired by the true story of Latoya Ammons and her three children, who claimed to be possessed by demons in Gary, Indiana, in the early 2010s. Their story, which involved a swarm of flies much like in the film, was thoroughly covered by The Indianapolis Star. Initially, few believed Ammons’ claims.

The movie’s plot is equally bizarre. Set in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 2011, Day plays Ebony Jackson, a struggling single mother of three (McLaughlin, Singleton, and Jenkins) who recently moved from Philadelphia into a house plagued by a malevolent spirit. Close portrays Alberta, Ebony’s devout mother, who, according to Daniels, represents the stereotypical white woman “every Black person knows.” She’s battling cancer, wears a cropped wig, and has a peculiar fondness for young Black men. (We’ll dive deeper into that later.) Mo'Nique plays Cynthia, a social worker assigned to check on the Jackson family, as their absent father has filed for custody of the children. Ellis-Taylor appears as Rev. Bernice James, who is determined to help the family rid themselves of their demons.

Despite being a horror-thriller, the film is neither particularly frightening nor thrilling, yet somehow we managed to sit through it all. Below, we break down what makes “The Deliverance” one of those films that leaves you wondering how it ever made it to the screen.