One touch is all it takes as Halle Berry returns to horror in Never Let Go. But is the film worth clinging on to or should we let it slip through our fingers?
Halle Berry returns to the horror genre with Never Let Go. The survival horror thriller film is directed by Alexandre Aja and written by Kevin Coughlin and Ryan Grassby. Also featured in the movie are Percy Daggs IV, Anthony B. Jenkins, Matthew Kevin Anderson, Christin Park, and Stephanie Lavigne. The plot follows a ‘family’ of three, a mother and two children as they are tormented by an unseen entity that caused an apocalyptic event four years ago. The three go outside attached to ropes that they believe will protect them from the evil in the woods. But is the film worthy of us clinging onto as a genuinely great chiller or should we let the rope go and let the film slip from our grasp?
PREMISE
Fraternal twins Nolan and Samuel live with their Momma in a remote woodland area somewhere in British Columbia. The three of them have been tormented by an unseen entity that caused an apocalyptic event four years ago. To protect themselves when venturing beyond their house, they use a supply of ropes so that the entity will not catch them as Momma believes, “one touch without a rope on, is all it takes”, even reminding her sons that the rope is their “lifeline”.
THOUGHTS
Anyone going into the film expecting a scary, frightening and worthy horror film needs to look elsewhere. While the film isn’t that bad, it certainly leaves a lot to be desired. At no time do we really get the feeling of dread that Halle Berry tries to instil in her two children. We don’t get the feeling that evil resides inside the forest and that everything we witness is all in the protagonists’ minds throughout. Instead, we just tag along with a laboured, unoriginal and uninspiring movie that far outstays its welcome.
In fact, you can probably guess what’s going on within the first twenty minutes or so, and that is never a good sign. Throw in some gruesome effects to try and do the job for you and you get a picture of desperation with the screenplay and the film as a whole. While the performances of the three main characters are pretty good, even they fail to elevate the material above middling.
It is all telling when the audience, instead of screaming in terror, are laughing at what is on the screen. Too many times during events, i heard giggling and snorting from several audience members. This was accompanied by derision at what they were seeing. While some of this was unfair, it is sad to say that a lot of it was justified. If your core audience acts this way, you’ve got a problem. While the direction and the way the events are handled are good, the film is let down by a haphazard script that takes many horror tropes and throws them at the wall, hoping some will stick. The problem is, not many of them do. Most slide down the wall to just splat on the floor. Wasted and useless.
HALLE BERRY
Halle Berry stars and also executive produces the film. While she is always reliable on screen, here she is let down by the half-baked screenplay. Her portrayal of Momma is one that keeps the audience on its toes. Is she telling her children the truth or is everything in her head, her own twisted imagination? It does manage to keep the audience guessing but by the time all is revealed, it is far too late. The material lets the three main cast members down, allowing them time to breathe, for us to understand them the best we can before becoming uninteresting, stale and a little boring.
Halle Berry deserves better than what she is given here. While she is on screen, she does have us listening to what she says to the two boys but she also makes us feel distant and uninterested at times. It is always good to see the actress on the big screen, especially in a horror movie. Sadly, this isn’t her finest hour, despite all she tries to accomplish with the ham-fisted script.
THE CHILD ACTORS
Percy Daggs IV as Nolan and Anthony B. Jenkins as Samuel are stars to watch in the future. Both make their mark here. However, they too suffer from a leaden screenplay that doesn’t do their talents justice. Of the pair, it is Percy Daggs IV who makes the bigger impression. As you would expect, one boy wants to follow everything his mother tells him while the other feels resentment and feelings of rebellion. Daggs plays the latter role, giving Nolan a sense of purpose throughout. But even he can’t overcome the shortcomings the script hands him.
Anthony B. Jenkins is also good in his role as Samuel but to a lesser extent. Samuel is the one who listens and obeys his mother without question, never doubting her for a second. The audience will need to decide what side they are on but by the climax, it is left in little doubt.
THE DIRECTION
The direction from Alexandre Aja is assured. He directs with a visual flair and passion that the film barely deserves. His keen eye and attention to detail give the film a solid, polished look during some scenes and washed out and dark during others. The darkness plays a part in the film, giving the film a creepy feeling. But even the sense of style Aja inflects can’t save the film from being less of a horror movie and more of a payday for all involved. Despite the passion, they try to bring to the film, even such great talent can’t rescue what is almost a dead-on-arrival direct-to-DVD mess. However, the sense of foreboding and dread during one scene containing Halle Berry and the family’s dog is something that will have the audience digging their fingernails into the arms of their seats.
VERDICT
Never Let Go falls into the trap of thinking it’s better and cleverer than it is. With a top Hollywood name like Halle Berry attached, you’d be mistaken for thinking the film would be worthy of her. Instead, it very quickly falls apart, becoming predictable and, to a certain extent, boring. There are a few occasions where the material gives us a jolt or two, giving us something to enjoy, they are few and far between. By the time the inevitable and predictable climax arrives, we find ourselves being happy that it is over. Speaking of the climax, we can see it coming from a mile away and it gives us M.Night Shyamalan vibes. The ending is something we expect from him and it wouldn’t look out of place in one of his movies. Here, it sticks out like a sore thumb.
While not being the worst film we will see this year, Never Let Go is far from the best. Slow, plodding, predictable and hardly a showcase for the talents on display here, the film is not one you’ll remember much about the day after seeing it. Or within half an hour of it ending. It will inevitably end up in the once seen, forget about it category in our moviegoing minds. It will find its home in the bargain bin once it hits digital download and disc formats. For something that could have been so much, it has delivered so little. Never Let Go? More like drop it as soon as it ends. A pity.
Never Let Go will be in cinemas starting on Friday from Lionsgate.
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
