In a hair-raising horror film, renowned filmmaker Lee Daniels treads into unfamiliar territory, narrating about the horrifying experience of a family trying to cope with satanic influence. The Deliverance is mind-blowing because it emphasizes on severe themes like abuse, alcoholism, and failed efforts to make peace amidst a frightful setting of the supernatural world. Andra Day and Glenn Close (in unrecognizable makeup) take up the roles of leading persons in an ensemble cast that goes through raw brutality. An unabashed Christian ideology underlies their renewal faith in Jesus as the savior. Daniels’ personal commitment comes across powerfully here. This is one utterly emotional moment no matter your religious beliefs.
Ebony Jackson (Day) relocates with her three children and cancer-stricken mother Berta (Close) to an old house in Pittsburgh of 2011. Ebony is biracial and an alcoholic with a volatile relationship with Berta who is now flirtatious and out-going after becoming born again so that she can be forgiven of her past sins as she herself describes it to her daughter in one scene where she explains how sex was just something you did to keep men around.Towards the end of her father’s reign at their home before his death there were times when he would sneak into his preteen daughter’s bed for periods during which he would fondle at her breasts causing bruises to appear without asking any questions leaving fear written all over her face hence making a sign from my tongue.Cancer has forced them back together though; Berta has attempted twice before and it cost three divorces already.The house was falling apart as well; bill collectors kept calling constantly while they had lost respect among their older teens.Her two other children Nate (Caleb McLaughlin) and Shante (Demi Singleton) have learned not to mess with her.She will not tolerate any defiance whatsoever.
Ever since then though, Ebony has been under state surveillance . A city social worker, Cynthia Henry (Mo’Nique), believes that Ebony’s hot temper makes her unfit to be a mother. She is scared for the lives of these kids. Berta watched as Nate, Shante and Andre showed signs of being mistreated by their mother. As her children enter into an unknown world while she is still afraid of what is happening to them, it all begins to make sense now.She wonders if she could possibly be held accountable for their acts in any way? It does not occur to either one that the house they now occupy has a dark history.
To frame the fragile truce between Ebony and Berta, Daniels uses dialogue that is graphic and hard-hitting. They curse each other out in devastating fashion that might burn your ears.Being mothers who have failed before, they are trying to learn how to trust again.Her daughter was sexually abused by Mr.Lewis but I failed; this made my daughter become an alcoholic with uncontrollable temper. Anger became her shield against pain.This is a fury she cannot contain or disgust yet she fully understands its implications on her own children.
She tries to be better than Berta though. As chaos ensues around her, she clings onto it by a thread making you sympathize with her despite numerous flaws.Day effectively portrays the emotionally charged role of desperate mother wanting someone to listen to her.Surely people see me as the bad person.Ebony must find Cynthia so she can understand what really happened at home even though it may seem like nothing because appearances can be deceiving.Day cries buckets until she finds faith enough within herself, however sickening this may sound when talking about people who believe everything should be according God’s will.It was not just about keeping men around, but also about surviving under such circumstances.
Berta is a seldom seen character in the movie. This is a Caucasian woman who is fully Black by all possible means. There are images of her plaiting Ebony and Shante’s hair, which indicate her being at ease with Black lifestyles. Her division with Ebony does not stem from racial differences. Berta has a steep hill to climb in her daughter’s eyes but cannot be ignored. Their shared traumatic experience, beneath their animosity and bitterness, is bonded by love. Close delivers one of the most remarkable performances of her stellar career.
The Deliverance takes a hard second act turn from intense family drama to wicked horror. Daniels goes full William Friedkin with The Exorcist’s storyline reshaping the narrative. It may appear bold, but it’s not really subtle at all! Ebony sees an evil presence that tries to kill him. Dark scenes of younger supporting casts bear its wrath to the point where they horrify viewers greatly. By serving up an eerie transformation as terrifying as anything Linda Blair ever did, Anthony B Jenkins gives Linda Blair a possessed run for this movie’s money that will scare the daylights out of anyone watching it even when they know what happens next . Daniels wants to shock and hits a bullseye right away with this tonal shift.
Throughout the film Deliverance, Christianity prevails as its theme message. However, Berta’s faith serves as a target for Ebony who mocks it. Like dust before winds, it crumbles upon the realization by Ebony that Satan was behind her problems. She must silence self-doubt and accept Jesus Christ as her savior because she believes it is the only way that can lead them out of these cruelties. Hellfire and brimstones get preached here in Delirium; a wacky bible-thumping showdown.Getting over the top has always been Daniels’ aim for its initial impact on tonal shifts. Lee Daniels Entertainment produces The Deliverance together with Tucker Tooley Entertainment and Turn Left Productions.
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