From visionary director Alexandre Aja (Crawl) and the creative minds behind “Stranger Things” comes this psychological horror-thriller. As an evil takes over the world beyond their front doorstep, a mother (Halle Berry) and her twin sons find their only protection is their house and their deep-rooted family bond. Needing to stay connected at all times — even tethering themselves with ropes — they urge 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.
What We Thought:
Never Let Go isn’t the slam dunk, must-see horror flick I was hoping it would be, but overall I enjoyed it. Halle Berry is always good and the two young actors who play her sons are solid as well. Plus director Alexandre Aja knows how to make taut little thrillers and by keeping this pretty much a single location setting with limited characters it never wanders away from what it’s trying to do.
Berry plays the mother of two boys who live in the middle of the woods. She tells them the world has gone insane and they must never go too far away. In fact when they all go out to hunt for food, they tether themselves to the house with long ropes. They can’t go too far or go untethered or the evil lurking about will get them. The boys only know this type of lifestyle and for a while don’t second guess what their mother says.
When one of the boy starts questioning things the movie starts to turn. Is Berry telling the truth and there is evil out there that made the world crazy? Is the house and the ropes the only things keeping them safe? Or is she actually insane and the boys are being held hostage by their mother? The movie does a good job keeping you guessing and wondering what the truth will actually be.
The only real issue I have with the movie is that you sit there waiting for the big reveal. I call it the M. Night Shyamalan Effect. He has no involvement with the flick whatsoever, but because of his films you sit there waiting for the proverbial shoe to drop. Once Berry’s character decides to do something drastic about food and the boys start questioning things you know it will all spiral out with some sort of third act reveal. You sit there waiting for it and then decide if you like the twist or not.
The reveal of Never Let Go will be interpreted differently by different people. I can see it one way, others might see it differently. I think it works overall, but I can see others thinking the opposite of how I read the ending. I wish these psychological horror thrillers did more for me, but I at least enjoyed this enough for a watch. Halle Berry fans should like her performance and the two young actors hold their own opposite the Oscar winner. Not my favorite film from Aja, but I can see this picking up fans on home video and streaming.
BONUS FEATURES:
- Making Never Let Go: Meet the talented team of filmmakers and learn more about the intricate creative process behind the film’s particular look and atmosphere.
- Creating Momma’s House: Take a step inside and learn how filmmakers were able to find and prepare Momma’s house in the middle of nowhere to make the film as authentic and scary as possible.
- Deleted Scenes
- Theatrical Trailer
The Nerds Templar 