The Deliverance

Who would've thought demon removal could be done without a priest? That's why I like this film. It's an original spin on the tried and true demonic possession narrative. This is slow burn horror which plays out fairly well. A fierce, single mother battling debt, alcoholism, her own volatile emotions, the world....and little does she know, an actual demonic presence too. Lee Daniels and the other writers did a phenomenal job writing a metaphorical, horror screenplay. This one has a heavy kind of fear. Psychologically and paranormally. Everyone in the house is afraid of each other, the outside world, and whatever is happening to all of them. My husband wondered if I was in a trance while watching this. That's how compelling this story was. But then...

Here's where Lee Daniel drove his film off the road and into the cornfields. The SFX scenes which occur more towards the end. Less is more. Our imaginations will conjure up far more frightening scenes than you could ever create with SFX. Sound effects are very effective and could've been utilized more instead of the graphic visuals. There aren't many of these scenes. My advice, close your eyes and listen to the sound effects. You're not missing anything vital.

The film was brilliantly casted. And the performances were on par, with what the actors were given. In my opinion, the characters could've been developed a bit more. There was enough of a connection for me to like them and fear for them, but I really wanted to know this family.

Overall, it's a unique horror film that's fairly well written with a very talented cast. I'm glad we're starting to see more smart, metaphorical horror, films, (but please, lose the bad SFX). This one's worth a watch. Enjoy.

The worst thing about this movie was how good it started. It pulled me in, led me to believe it was going to be original and interesting.

Production value is decent, acting is good. Story seemed to be developing well.. All of a sudden it switched into a completely different movie, full of absurdities and suddenly awful writing! I honestly feel that they changed writers half way through. In fact I'd place a bet on it.

So of course having invested time into watching it, I had to see it through to the end.

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry from the ultimate disappointment.

Bottom line - I could have done without!

The only reason this gets two stars is because the actors are really trying to do some thing with this material. I'm all for a slow burn in a horror movie, but it takes far too long for them to get to the point. They could have taken less time setting up the family trauma and you would still understand that it's this fracture in the family that opens them up to evil. And then comes the "deliverance" and the sorry attempt at ripping off of the brilliant and classic "The Exorcist". It's laughable. The dialogue is poorly written the special FX look terrible, and not in a good way, and it fails on every level to deliver (yes I used that word deliberately) any impact, fear or semblance of a satisfying movie experience.

Descent into Mediocrity

In an age where streaming platforms have ushered in an abundance of content, the challenge is no longer finding something to watch, but finding something worth watching. The movie, which initially promised an intriguing narrative, quickly devolves into a tiresome and incoherent mess. The movie starts with a spark of potential but gradually loses its way, leaving viewers frustrated and disengaged.

An Intriguing Beginning

The film's opening act shows a lot of promise. It sets up an interesting premise that immediately grabs the audience's attention. The characters are introduced with enough depth to pique curiosity, and the story seems to be heading in a compelling direction. The director successfully establishes a sense of mystery, with subtle hints and foreshadowing that suggest the film is building towards something substantial.

The cinematography in the first third of the movie is also notable. The visuals are crisp and creative, utilizing lighting and camera angles to convey the mood and themes effectively. The use of color and shadow, in particular, adds to the atmosphere, drawing viewers into the world of the film. The soundtrack, though not groundbreaking, complements the visuals well, setting the tone for what initially appears to be a thought-provoking piece of cinema.

The performances by the lead actors are commendable at this stage. They bring a level of authenticity to their roles, creating characters that feel real and relatable. There's a sense of anticipation as the narrative unfolds, with viewers eager to see where the story will take them.

A Rapid Decline

Unfortunately, after this promising start, the film begins to unravel. The pacing, which was initially measured and deliberate, suddenly becomes erratic. Scenes that should be building tension or developing characters instead feel drawn out and aimless. The story loses its focus, meandering through subplots that add little to the overall narrative. The intriguing mystery that was set up so well in the beginning dissipates into a series of increasingly absurd and disconnected events.

The script, which initially seemed sharp and engaging, quickly deteriorates. Dialogue becomes clunky and unnatural, with characters making decisions that feel contrived and out of character. The attempts at humor fall flat, and the emotional beats lack the impact they need to resonate with the audience. It's as if the writers couldn't decide what kind of movie they wanted to make, resulting in a jarring tonal shift that leaves viewers confused and dissatisfied.

As the film progresses, it becomes clear that the plot is not going to deliver on the promise of its opening. The narrative threads that were carefully woven in the beginning are either abandoned or resolved in a way that feels rushed and unsatisfying. The film's climax, which should be the culmination of everything that has come before, is instead a convoluted mess that raises more questions than it answers. Any sense of coherence or logic is thrown out the window in favor of a spectacle that is more confusing than thrilling.

A Disappointing Payoff

By the time the credits roll, the initial excitement and intrigue have long since faded, replaced by frustration and disappointment. The movie's potential is squandered by poor execution, leaving the audience with a sense of wasted time and unfulfilled promise. The film's final act, in particular, is a confusing jumble of clichés and contrived plot twists that fail to deliver any real payoff. What could have been a smart, engaging story instead collapses under the weight of its own ambitions.

Even the technical aspects of the film, which were a highlight in the beginning, suffer as the movie goes on. The cinematography becomes less inspired, with scenes that feel visually dull and repetitive. The soundtrack, which once enhanced the mood, becomes overbearing and mismatched with the action on screen. It's as if the film's creative team lost interest halfway through production, leading to a noticeable decline in quality.

The performances, too, falter as the story drags on. The actors, who initially brought nuance and depth to their roles, seem to struggle with the increasingly nonsensical material they are given. Their performances become stilted, with even the most talented cast members unable to salvage the clunky dialogue and baffling plot twists.

"Started OK, Turned to Boring Nonsense" is an apt description for this film. It begins with promise but quickly devolves into a chaotic, uninspired mess that squanders its potential. Despite a strong start, the film ultimately fails to deliver a satisfying or coherent story, leaving viewers bored and disappointed. In a market saturated with content, this movie unfortunately falls into the category of forgettable, failing to make a lasting impression beyond its initial scenes. For those seeking an engaging and well-crafted film, this one is better left unwatched.

I don't know what happened to Lee Daniel's. Precious this ain't. As refreshing it is to see Close in a way we have seen before. And she's excellent in whatever part she plays. Audra Day and Mo'nique are both solid. I just wish someone had made a completely different film with the material laid out in the film's first half: a gripping family portrait of a struggling black mother, her kids and her mother.

The way this initially gripping film drifted off into laughable horror territory breaks my heart. No matter how often they tell us "based on a true story", it doesn't redeem what the director did. In the end it became its own parody. Close, Day and Mo'nique deserve better. And shame on Lee Daniel's. I expected so much more of you.