The Deliverance first hit theaters on August 16, 2024, before its release on Netflix on August 30, 2024. Lee Daniels directed the film, focusing on a family's battle against supernatural forces in their new home.
The film's final moments give a subtle but unnerving hint that the demonic threat might still be lingering. As the family leaves the haunted house, viewers are shown lingering shots of the house and reports of unexplained things happening in the vicinity. This seemed to imply that the evil might not have been defeated completely.
The presence serves as a reminder that such darkness, once unleashed, can be difficult to contain completely, creating a sense of suspense and uncertainty. This left the audience pondering the family's fate and the true extent of the supernatural forces they've battled.
The performances by Andra Day as Ebony, a single mother trying to hold her family together, and Glenn Close as Alberta, her mother, anchor the film's emotional core.
While the movie opened to modest box office numbers, it found a wider audience on Netflix, where viewers were drawn to its mix of horror and deeply personal drama. Critics and audiences alike have given mixed reviews, with some praising its raw portrayal of familial bonds and spiritual warfare while others felt it treads too familiar territory.
The Deliverance: How does Ebony discover the true nature of the haunting?
Ebony's realization that her family’s struggles stem from supernatural forces is a slow build riddled with disturbing incidents that defy logical explanations. Initially dismissive of the paranormal, Ebony is pushed to her limits as her children's behaviors become inexplicably violent and bizarre.
The critical turning point comes when Andre's disturbing actions coincide with supernatural occurrences around their home. Desperate for answers, Ebony seeks help outside the conventional, which leads her to Reverend Bernice. The Reverend unveils the dark history of their house and confirms Ebony's worst fears, the presence of the demonic entity.
The Deliverance: What role does Alberta play in the climactic battle?
Glenn Close plays the role of Ebony's skeptical mother, Alberta, who has an important part to play in the climax. Initially critical of Ebony’s parenting, Alberta’s journey is one of gradual awakening to the grim realities her daughter faces. Her death is a direct consequence of the demonic presence and acts as a catalyst for Ebony.
It shifts Ebony’s perspective drastically from battling personal and social demons to confronting literal ones. Alberta's tragic end is a plot point and a deep loss that profoundly affects Ebony and galvanizes her into action. This is a powerful reminder of the stakes at hand that pushed Ebony to embrace her spiritual strength and prepare for the confrontation with the demonic force threatening her family.
The Deliverance: How is the demon finally confronted and banished?
The film’s climax is an intense deliverance ritual where Ebony musters all her faith to combat the demon possessing her son. The ritual is as much a battle of wits and willpower as it is a spiritual showdown. Reverend Bernice guides Ebony as she faces the demon in an intense confrontation that tests her resolve.
The ritual steeped in faith rather than traditional exorcism rites shows personal conviction and the power of belief. Ebony’s journey from doubt to faith becomes her weapon against the malevolence threatening her children. The sequence also showcases her transformation from a beleaguered mother to a fierce protector.
The Deliverance: What happens to Ebony’s family after the demon is expelled?
The aftermath of the demonic expulsion sees Ebony and her family go on a journey of recovery and renewal. Having reclaimed her children and secured their safety, Ebony faces the future with renewed vigor and a deeper connection with her kids.
The family’s relocation to Philadelphia symbolizes a fresh start, which is an opportunity to leave the horrors of the past behind and build anew. The part of their story is about healing and finding peace after the storm and shows the resilience and enduring bond of a family that has survived the unimaginable.
The Deliverance is available to stream on Netflix.