5 interesting facts you need to know about Halle Berry’s new movie Never Let Go

Never Let Go is Halle Berry's much-anticipated return to horror, directed by Alexandre Aja. The movie revolves around a post-apocalyptic scenario, where Berry plays the role of a mother protecting her two sons from an unseen evil force.

The film was released in theaters on September 20, 2024, in the United States. Initially, the movie was scheduled for September 27, but fans got to watch it earlier at the Fantastic Fest on September 19.

The official synopsis of the film mentions:

"In this new psychological thriller/horror, as Evil takes over the world beyond their front doorstep, the only protection for a mother, played by Academy Award® winner Halle Berry (Actress in a Leading Role, 2001 -- Monster's Ball), and her twin sons is their house and their family's protective bond."

It further reads:

"Needing to stay connected at all times -- even tethering themselves with ropes -- they cling to one another, urging each other to never let go. But when one of the boys questions if the evil is real, the ties that bind them together are severed, triggering a terrifying fight for survival."

Never Let Go can be a choice for horror and psychological thrillers. The movie is intense and has many layers, which makes you think about what is real and what isn't. Here are five interesting facts about the film that elevate its chilling tale to another level.

Disclaimer: The article contains spoilers.

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Facts to know about Never Let Go

1) Halle Berry’s return to horror

Halle Berry’s return to horror (Image via Lionsgate Movies)

After Gothika in 2003, Halle Berry is back to the horror genre with Never Let Go. People who have seen her other work will notice that this movie really brings out her emotional range, through her character, Momma.

Berry gives the role a lot of intensity as a mother who has to protect her kids while also dealing with her own mental illness.

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2) A post-apocalyptic setting of the movie

A post-apocalyptic setting of the movie (Image via Lionsgate Movies)

One big part of what makes the movie exciting is its setting. The family lives in a wooden house by themselves and is tied to it for safety. The post-apocalyptic world outside is said to be filled with evil spirits.

The creepy house in the woods and the notion that something might or might not be outside keep viewers on the edge during the entire movie.

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3) Ambiguity keeps the story alive till the end

Ambiguity keeps the story alive till the end (Image via Lionsgate Movies)

Another interesting aspect of Never Let Go is its ambiguity. The movie constantly blurs the line between reality and paranoia. The evil force that haunts the family may be real or a figment of Momma’s traumatized mind.

This uncertainty leaves viewers guessing until the very end, adding a layer of psychological tension that drives the plot. Even after the movie’s conclusion, the question of what was real remains.

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4) Alexandre Aja’s direction brings in religious symbolism

Alexandre Aja’s direction brings in religious symbolism (Image via Lionsgate Movies)

There are Christian symbols used throughout the movie. For example, the bad guy changes into a snake, which is a reference to the story of Adam and Eve and the serpent in the Garden of Eden.

The blessings carved into the house are a metaphor for safety and salvation, while the forest outside represents chaos and sin. Momma’s extreme actions to protect her sons represent religious fanaticism, hinting at deeper themes of guilt, sin and redemption.

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5) A Haunting ending

A Haunting ending (Image via Lionsgate Movies)

The plot veers unsettlingly in the final scenes when Momma dies and her sons are left to fend for themselves.

Nolan, one of the lads, is left to focus on the evil — which appears as their mother. Director Aja, with this vague ending, leaves it for interpretation by viewers.

Never Let Go challenges viewers on whether the evil in the narrative is actual or a result of Momma's trauma.