While Never Let Go could have benefited from more subtle tension, it still delivers within the genre, thanks to a trio of actors who masterfully sell the horror.
Never Let Go captivates from the start, skillfully building tension that it never fully releases despite a flimsy plot. But instead of a straightforward resolution, it attempts to navigate a delicate line between the supernatural and the psychological, a common theme in horror. However, despite a few missteps, the relentless suspense immerses viewers in a horror where they are never sure who the threat is. While Never Let Go could have benefited from more subtle tension, it still delivers within the genre, thanks to a trio of actors who masterfully sell the horror.
Directed by Alexandre Aja (Crawl, High Tension) and written by KC Coughlin (Mean Dreams, V-Wars) and Ryan Grassby (Mean Dreams, The King Tide), the film’s directing is snappy with tightrope editing that riddles viewers with the same doubt as one of the sons. First, there’s Halle Berry (John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, Gothika) who plays Momma, a woman struggling to hold her family together from a supernatural threat lurking outside the safety of their home.
The family’s safety is tethered to the house by a rope. Unfortunatley, it’s a fragile lifeline they must never sever when venturing outside. Samuel, played by Anthony B. Jenkins, is the son who trusts his mother’s warnings about the lurking danger. However, Nolan, portrayed by Percy Daggs IV, is less convinced. As food becomes scarce and difficult decisions loom, his uncertainty only grows. It keeps audiences on the edge of their seats for what mistakes will come.
Never Let Go Delivers Shocking Frights and Keen Direction
The opening jump scare brilliantly screams, “Pay attention,” and forces everyone to keep their eyes glued to the screen. Alexandre Aja’s keen eye for horror—as evidenced by Crawl—shows his attention to detail. He knows when to bring a shot in uncomfortably close or peel back to show the vast, imposing feel the forest emanates.
So, it allows viewers to feel a heightened sense of anxiety because it’s unclear if the threat is outside the home or within from their loving mother. Showing what the mother sees feels less scary, even if it is grotesque. But Aja still manages to keep it rocky because of the audience’s doubt in what’s shown. In that sense, it’s similar to Frailty.
Performances Shine But Plot Weakens the Film
Naturally, Halle Berry is always stellar in her roles. Her portrayal is sympathetic yet with a threatening quality. Because it’s as though her violence is never too far beneath the surface. Anthony B. Jenkins and Percy Daggs IV both bring out their characters. Jenkins gives a faith and quiet resoluteness that Mother knows best. Meanwhile, Daggs portrays an inquisitive and distrustful child whose actions result from their “why” never being fully answered. Their collective performances worry viewers because the stakes are always higher when children are in danger.
The dialogue sometimes struggles, particularly when it feels forced to maintain the question, unlike a natural dialogue where audiences remain left out. Still, the most harmful aspects are the uncertainty paved through the movie and its climax. Never Let Go does not earn its ending. Both aspects may be true, as evidenced by the photo. However, how the film goes about it feels like happenstance rather than intentional. But thanks to the trio’s performances, Never Let Go is worth viewing even if the end feels wasted potential.
