By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
Academy Award-winning actress Halle Berry, a lifelong fan of horror movies, first ventured into the genre with her 2003 thriller
"Gothika."
Now, she plunges even deeper into darkness with her latest film,
"Never Let Go," delivering an even more intense, suspenseful and chilling experience.
Last April at
CinemaCon in Las Vegas, Berry took the stage at
Caesars Palace alongside
Lionsgate Chairman Adam Fogelson to discuss "Never Let Go" and what it was like working with her exceptionally talented young co-stars
Percy Daggs IV (TV's "The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey") and
Anthony B. Jenkins (TV's "Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist") Check out what Berry had to say here.
REEL MOVIE TALK.
Director
Alexandre Aja, known for his impressive horror films like "Crawl" and the remake of "The Hills Have Eyes," delivers yet another riveting survival thriller with "Never Let Go."
In the movie Berry plays June, an overprotective mother of her boys Nolan (an outstanding Percy Daggs IV (TV's "The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey") and Samuel (a terrific, Anthony B. Jenkins, (TV's "Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist"). June has every reason to be so guarded.
Haunted by her traumatic past, June's demons have taken residence in their old, secluded house located deep in the woods. The atmosphere is unsettling, and even without the presence of the entity she refers to as "The Evil," the surroundings are far too creepy to navigate safely, especially at night.
This pervasive dread compels June to teach Nolan and Samuel to remain vigilant whenever they step outside. She insists they "never let go" of the ropes that she has tethered to the house, symbolizing her desperate attempt to keep them safe. But for how long?
You can tell both boys dread the rituals their mother imposes, like being locked in a cellar and chanting to keep evil spirits at bay. To make matters worse, Noah, Samuel, and June have little food. If they are lucky, they might catch a squirrel, a frog, or some bugs, but the boys are growing weaker each day from hunger. When June suggests they may have to consider eating their pet dog—a particularly poor moment for that line—Nolan reaches his breaking point. He starts to question his mother's beliefs and becomes eager to explore what lies beyond the woods, despite the steep price that comes with it.
"Never Let Go" maintains a tight grip on viewers and escalates the tension when a stranger, played by Matthew Kevin Anderson (TV's "Love & Jane"), arrives at their home offering assistance to the boys. Unfortunately, his good intentions do not end well.
The film is filled with chilling moments that compel you to watch, even as the horrors unfold. Demons and evil spirits appear throughout, including visions of June's mother and Samuel and Nolan's father (William Catlett, "Color Book").
The narrative ties together effectively, highlighting Halle Berry's exceptional performance. She also co-executive produced the film. Percy Daggs IV and Anthony B. Jenkins are also impressive in their debuts.
With Alexandre Aja's expert direction and a compelling screenplay by
Kevin Coughlin and Ryan Grassby ("The King Tide"), "Never Let Go" not only thrills but also delves into deeper themes of motherhood, trauma, and the lengths one will go to protect their loved ones. As the stakes rise and terror escalates, audiences will find themselves fidgeting by this haunting journey and holding on tight until the very end.
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays now at 5:17 p.m. and 6:47 p.m. on radio station KFBK 93.1 FM and 1530 AM.
Look At This Trailer For
"NEVER LET GO"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
