What’s It About
After moving into a mysterious house, a struggling mother must face down her demons in order to save her children’s souls. Inspired by a true story of possession.
MOVIESinMO REVIEW
“The Deliverance” is a horror fantasy that eerily anchors itself in reality. While the demons are undoubtedly supernatural, the true horrors lie in the raw depictions of addiction, generational trauma, and economic despair. This film makes it difficult to root for the mother. Ebony (Andra Day) struggles to raise three children (Caleb McLaughlin, Demi Singleton, and Anthony B. Jenkins) in a crumbling, claustrophobic home in an industrial Pittsburgh neighborhood. Her husband has abandoned them after enduring years of Ebony’s fury and alcoholism. Her mother, Alberta (Glenn Close), has moved in to help but often only succeeds in aggravating Ebony’s simmering rage. Remember the notorious feud between Mo’Nique and some of the biggest names in Black cinema (Tyler Perry, Oprah, Lee Daniels, and more)? Well, she’s back as a no-nonsense child services social worker who is fed up with Ebony’s flimsy excuses. The children are visibly struggling in school, bearing bruises and wandering around with vacant, glassy stares. Black flies ominously buzz throughout the house, especially in the basement, though this unsettling detail is only addressed later. “The Deliverance,” loosely inspired by actual accounts of a haunting in Indiana, was filmed in Pittsburgh. The film eschews jump scares and dimly lit flashbacks, instead focusing on the stark realities of the family’s life. This approach heightens the terror, making it more visceral; we come to know these characters and can’t help but root for them despite their many flaws. The film’s exploration of family dynamics, particularly the relationship between Ebony and her children, fosters a sense of connection and empathy. Although Ebony is not particularly likable, her struggle to protect her children is deeply felt. Ebony’s eldest children — Shante (Demi Singleton) and Nate (Caleb McLaughlin) — vacillate between fearing and defying their mother. Yet, despite her history of incarceration and losing custody of her kids, Ebony remains fiercely protective. “The Deliverance” meticulously lays the foundation for its story, so when the supernatural elements begin to surface, we’re led to believe that Ebony might be the source of the abuse. The demonic possession of Andre initially intertwines with the family drama, keeping us guessing and adding a layer of tension between Ebony and Alberta. There are unresolved issues between the two, some of which are laid bare, but their fraught relationship is vital to understanding the family dynamics. The film delves into the generational trauma passed between mothers and daughters and how race influences the complexities of their relationships. The moments of familial tension are taut enough to sustain the narrative, with a lingering chill in the air, sometimes from the supernatural occurrences that mostly remain offscreen during the first two-thirds of the film but more often from the strained relationships within the family. In the final act, the focus shifts predominantly to Andre’s demonic possession. Reverend Bernice James (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor) plays a pivotal role, revealing to Ebony the dark history of her home and the fate of the family who once lived there. “The Deliverance” treats possession with a gravity that underscores its connection to breaking cycles of generational trauma. When Bernice speaks of Jesus protecting Ebony’s family, her conviction is so palpable that it becomes nearly impossible not to believe her.
OUR RATING – A TOUGH LOVE 8