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Lee Daniels, known for films such as Precious and The Butler, has taken a step into the horror genre with his latest, The Deliverance, which dropped on Netflix on August 30th. The film stars Ebony (Andra Day), a mother who is a recovering alcoholic being investigated for child abuse, who moves her mother, Alberta (Glenn Close) and her three children into a new home that is being plagued by a demonic entity. Ebony is angry at the world and is a product of how she was raised by Alberta, who has now found religion while battling cancer. What’s a Lee Daniels feature without family drama?

Based on true events, the film takes you through Ebony’s journey of forgiveness and acceptance. Daniels’ characters are relatable and it’s the performances of each person on screen that makes them easy to connect with on some level. Cynthia (Mo’Nique) portrays a child services worker who wants Ebony to succeed and overcome her issues but not at the expense of the children. There is no wondering if the investigation is warranted when we see Ebony backhand her son at the dinner table. Aside from Alberta who comes across as a caricature, his characters make sense and this cast delivers strong performances. But where this film falls short is in its writing and editing.

^{_{Glenn Close, Andra Day and Anthony B. Jenkins, Mo’Nique, Caleb McLaughlin and Anthony B. Jenkins in The Deliverance}}

From one scene to the next, nothing seems to have a place and the narrative feels disjointed. The film presents the possession of Ebony’s children as a metaphor for the racism, poverty, and generational trauma that oppresses this family. But these big ideas are more like check boxes of what should be included and are not conveyed with intention and care. It felt like Daniels made two different movies and put them together.

The “exorcism” takes place when Rev. James (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor) tells Ebony that what is happening to her family, has already happened to another family. Then we shift into the third act, which then becomes a mashup of exorcism horror movie tropes. From snapping bones and a possessed child saying things that make you want to clutch your pearls, it comes off as Daniels throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks. There is no weight to what is happening on screen and it’s far from scary.

In the end, it’s Ebony who must step up and rid her children of the demon that has attached itself to her family. She comes to face to face with her own demons and trauma and releases it as she falls to her knees and begins speaking in tongues. With its focus on trauma passed from a mother to a child that then becomes present in her parenting, Hereditary comes to mind. But where Hereditary excels, The Deliverance falls shorts. With such a lackluster attempt at the horror elements and no real impact of what they were living through in their home, this film would have worked better as a family drama.

Kristie (she/her) is the co-host of In Love with Horror’s YouTube channel and podcast where she and her husband, AJ discuss horror movies, games, and books. Their mission is to connect others to their love for horror, bring awareness to Black horror media, and build a community all about horror. Her favorite horror movies are Hellraiser and Jurassic Park.
@nlovewithhorror (X) @inlovewithhorror (IG)