The Deliverance draws inspiration from the true story of the Ammons haunting case and reflects director Lee Daniels’s focus on struggle and resilience. Starring Andra Day as Ebony Jackson, the film follows a single mother who, amidst financial difficulties, a troubled past, and caring for her elderly mother, Alberta, experiences unsettling supernatural events, including some disturbing changes in her children’s behavior, after relocating her family to a new home. As the narrative unfolds, Daniels juxtaposes the harsh realities of the struggling single mother with supernatural elements that unfortunately lack the terror one might expect.
Andra Day, that has already proved to be a formidable actress in The United States vs. Billie Holiday, delivers a standout performance as Ebony. Her fierce and committed portrayal anchors the film’s emotional core, and her piercing gaze effectively conveys the intensity of her character’s struggles. The scenes between Day and Mo’Nique are particularly compelling, with Mo’Nique delivering a memorable performance that echoes her work in Precious.
However, not all performances are as successful. Glenn Close, who can be fantastic in roles that call for scenery chewing but struggles with more subdued, grounded performances, as seen here and in Hillbilly Elegy. Her attempt to convince the audience is undermined by bad makeup and an approach that feels more focused on creating Oscar clip moments than on authenticity. The third act however, takes it to another level, giving some really embarrassing lines to the actress and even worse makeup.
While the dramatic elements of The Deliverance have their moments, the horror aspects fall flat. The supernatural elements fail to deliver genuine scares, and the suspense becomes predictable, with the film lacking any real sense of urgency. The third act tries to compensate by cutting back to characters that are not involved in the climax, but this only results in a scattered finale. Additionally, the Christian elements are poorly executed, verging on parody. Those drawn to Daniels’s dramatic storytelling may find some merit in the film, but fans of supernatural horror will be left disappointed.