“The Deliverance” is Netflix’ answer to arthouse horror. The 2024 original piece was written by David Coggeshall, and Elijah Bynum, and directed by Lee Daniels.
It’s interesting, relying on an uncomfortable family dynamic for the first half before the supernatural takes over. Watching reminded me of “Hereditary.” The film was inspired by the real-life Ammons house haunting in Gary, Indiana.
Inner City Horror
The Jackson family has relocated to a low-income neighborhood in Pittsburgh. Ebony Jackson (Andra Day) is an alcoholic struggling to keep her abusive demons bottled. Grandmother Alberta (Glenn Close) has turned to faith as she deals with chemotherapy. Teenage son Nate (Caleb McLaughlin) is harassed by bullies and wants nothing more than to escape his life of poverty. Daughter Shante (Demi Singleton) and youngest son Andre (Anthony B. Jenkins) are creeped out by the new house.
Andra Day steals the show with her portrayal of Ebony Jackson. Ebony is hardly a sympathetic character. She’s been in and out of rehab and jail, and we see her struggle with alcohol and anger. She loves her children but abuses them verbally and physically at times. She witnesses issues with the new house; foul smell, constant flies, and assumes its due to the property value. The character goes through an incredible range throughout the story, and Day is stellar.
Great Cast
Veteran Glenn Close is equally impressive in the role of Alberta Jackson. She’s dealing with health issues and her interactions with her daughter show us where Ebony got her abrasive nature from. One of the best scenes shows the women braiding each other’s hair and reciting lines from a movie they are watching. despite the callous exterior, we know the family is close at heart.
The three children are all excellent at acting. The production itself, from the story to the cinematography, direction and talent feels less like bad horror and more like a film. Netflix is branching out into artistic horror in the mold of Ari Aster and Robert Eggers.
“The Deliverance” keeps you captivated by the uneasy state the characters are perpetually amidst. The score by Lucas Vidal is outstanding and adds perfectly to the tension and chilling tones. The second half was more in your face horror, and I liked it much less. I prefer subtle to flamboyant. The second half crams alot of horror elements in. The concluding acts make me question the authenticity of the real case.
“The Deliverance” is a solid horror film. Acting and scope are beautiful, if you can handle the uncomfortable family dynamic. It is available on Netflix.
