About the film (courtesy of Lionsgate):
In this new psychological thriller/horror, as an Evil takes over the world beyond their front doorstep, the only protection for a mother, played by Academy Award® winner Halle Berry (Actress in a Leading Role, Monster’s Ball (2001)), and her twin sons is their house and their family’s protective bond. Needing to stay connected at all times – even tethering themselves with ropes – they cling to one another, urging each other to never let go. But when one of the boys questions if the evil is real, the ties that bind them together are severed, triggering a terrifying fight for survival.
Alexandre Aja, known for his gruesome horror flicks, takes a slightly different route with Never Let Go. While still steeped in the supernatural, this film leans more into psychological suspense with a touch of family drama, anchored by Halle Berry’s compelling performance.
Berry plays a mother fiercely protective of her twin sons, grappling with a malevolent entity that has plagued their lives. Aja expertly builds tension, not through jump scares, but by slowly revealing the psychological toll this ‘haunting’ has taken on the family. The cinematography is claustrophobic, mirroring the family’s entrapment.
Never Let Go‘s heart lies in the fraying relationship between the mother and one son who begins to question the reality of their tormentor. Berry is exceptional, portraying both a mother’s unwavering love and the desperation of someone clinging to a belief that may be unraveling.
The climax is suspenseful, though the resolution might leave some wanting a more concrete explanation. While Aja doesn’t fully delve into the origins of the entity, the focus remains on the family’s emotional turmoil, making their struggle the true horror.
Never Let Go isn’t a typical horror film. It’s a slow burn, exploring themes of faith, doubt, and the lengths a mother will go to protect her children. Berry delivers a powerful performance, making this a chilling exploration of a family under siege, not just by the supernatural, but by the erosion of their own bond.
Catch Never Let Go in theaters everywhere starting Friday, September 20th. Hold your loved ones tightly.
