Never Let Go (2024): A Mother’s Descent Between Horror and Delusion
Never Let Go centers on a single mother, known only as “Momma” (Halle Berry), and her 10-year-old twin sons, Nolan (Percy Daggs IV) and Samuel (Anthony B. Jenkins), who live in a remote cabin, tethered by ropes to avoid a sinister supernatural entity called “The Evil.” Berry’s character insists the outside world is overrun by malevolent creatures—or possibly manifestations of her fractured mind. The trio must follow strict rituals and repeated incantations whenever they leave the house, or risk being possessed
Critics highlight Berry’s fearless portrayal of a protective, increasingly unhinged mother, describing her character as “fucking crazy” yet deeply compelling
The young actors (Daggs and Jenkins) hold their own, offering grounded portrayals of brothers who oscillate between blind obedience and growing skepticism. Nolan, in particular, becomes the audience’s vessel of doubt, challenging whether the Evil is real or a figment of Momma’s trauma
Aja’s direction amplifies the tension with claustrophobic camerawork and meticulously designed wooded countryside and cabin interiors. Creature effects are unsettling, and the rituals—crossbow, machetes, nightly chants—build palpable dread
Yet, many reviewers agree the film struggles to balance its allegories around parental control, generational trauma, and pandemic-era isolation. The narrative’s slow pacing, thematic convolution, and an ambiguous finale leave significant questions unresolved
On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 57% Tomatometer, with many critics praising Berry’s performance and the film’s atmospheric tension but criticizing the muddled intentions and uneven tone
Audience reactions—averaging a “C+” CinemaScore—reflect similar ambivalence: some hail it as a gripping, thought-provoking thriller; others dismiss it as disappointing and confusing
Still, some fans on Reddit appreciate the film’s layered exploration of doubting reality, trauma, and family dynamics. One user noted how it “had themes of doubt, parentification, triangulation, family dynamics… and religious allegory (Cain and Abel)... questioning reality” and praised the performances as “amazing”
At the box office, Never Let Go grossed around $21.8 million globally on a $20 million budget—a modest return
Lionsgate has hinted at franchise potential, with Berry discussing plans for prequels and sequels
Never Let Go is a tense and viscerally filmed thriller anchored by strong performances, especially from Halle Berry, and the dynamic between the two young leads. Its central strengths—ambitious thematic layers, family tension, and unsettling visuals—are hampered by narrative dissonance and an unresolved ending. For viewers who relish psychological ambiguity and survivalist horror, it offers a haunting ride. For those seeking coherent answers, it may feel intentionally elusive.
