Never Let Go Review: Halle Berry shines in a film about familial bonds and supernatural beings

Never Let Go released on Friday, September 20, 2024, is an out-and-out Halle Berry film. The actor who has by now created a niche for herself in the horror genre, starring in films such as Gothika and Dark Tide, shines as Momma (real name not revealed in the film), a mother who is tasked with taking care of her children, Nolan and Samuel, and keeping evil spirits at bay.

At the core of it, Never Let Go is a film about evil spirits with deformed bodies that haunt Momma and her family. Yet, the film also emphasizes the significance of family, particularly in moments that call for utilizing one's survival instincts.

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Halle Berry's performance in Never Let Go is nothing short of brilliant

Halle Berry's character, Momma is one of the film's unique selling points. She embodies the character and almost blurs the lines between her real life and onscreen life. Be it the jump scare moments where she emotes at her full potential which is felt across the screen or the light-hearted moments that reveal her genuine emotional range, Berry consistently enhances her performance throughout the film.

Even during the times when the audiences are left wondering if the evil spirits in the film are indeed present or are just a figment of Momma's imagination and a product of her ingrained fear, Berry is able to convince them with the former every time through her acting prowess.

Berry's noteworthy performance is equally substantiated by the film's young actors, Percy Daggs IV and Anthony B. Jenkins who play the roles of her sons Nolan and Samuel, respectively.

Despite being young, Percy and Anthony work at their full potential and add to the film's holistic experience. Extra points to Percy, who assumed the role of the more notorious brother, Nolan. His performance as the character enriched the film and presented the audience with an alternative perspective: the idea that Momma might be imagining everything happening around her.

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It's "Family First" in Never Let Go

Never Let Go marketed itself as a survival horror film. However, it is much more than that. At the core, it is a mother's desperate attempt at protecting her children from harm, despite difficulties.

While some would argue that Momma, Berry's character in the film, was being too harsh on her children at times, others would say that she did the best she could do in those circumstances to protect her children. That said, her true motherly instincts came into play in the final moments of the film.

In a particularly terrifying scene from Never Let Go, the evil takes over Halle Berry's character's mind and threatens her with the death of her children. The evil spirits insinuate that if Momma continues living, she will, at some point end up eating her own children.

To prevent the same from happening, Berry's character decides to kill herself. She gets hold of a piece of sharp glass and cuts across her throat. Her children try to resurrect her but fail. Berry's character sacrifices herself to protect her children, proving that familiar bonds override everything else.

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Never Let Go is currently available in theatres across the United States.