NEVER LET GO

Never Let Go (2024), produced by Halle Berry and directed by Alexandre Aja, sets up an apocalyptic thriller where a mother (Berry) and her twin sons must survive against an unseen evil. The psychological horror plays with the line between reality and delusion but falls short of delivering the tension it promises. While Berry delivers a strong performance, the story struggles with a confusing plot and lackluster scares. Despite an eerie atmosphere and decent soundtrack, the film ultimately disappoints. If you're a die-hard Berry fan, it might intrigue you, but otherwise, it's a miss. Check out my full review!

MOVIE

The Tipsy Critic

10/3/20244 min read

Never Let Go (2024)

Release Date: September 20, 2024

Director: Alexandre Aja

Starring: Halle Berry, Percy Daggs IV, Anthony B. Jenkins, William Catlett, Matthew Kevin Anderson, and Christin Park.

When I saw that Halle Berry was producing Never Let Go, my hopes were sky-high. As a die-hard Halle fan, anything with her name on it has to be at least good, right? And let’s be real, when someone who’s tackled everything from gritty dramas to high-octane action decides to step into horror, you expect chills and thrills.

Oh, how wrong I was.

Let’s dive into the story. It’s supposed to be an intense thriller set in a post-apocalyptic world. Halle Berry plays Momma, fiercely protective of her twin sons, Nolan (Percy Daggs IV) and Sammul (Anthony B. Jenkins), as they try to survive against an unspeakable evil. They live in a creepy, ramshackle cabin, isolated and constantly under threat by this so-called "evil," which we’re led to believe is lurking just outside. Their only means of survival? Staying tethered to the house by thick ropes. Yes, you read that right. The family literally ties themselves to the house to avoid being sucked into the void of doom.

The premise had potential. Really. The whole “never let go” thing could have been a symbolic, tension-filled exploration of family bonds, survival, and the creeping dread of a world gone mad. Instead, it felt more like a twisted survival edition of Tug of War.

The film sets out three chapters, but most of the movie takes place in this creaky cabin in the woods. Halle’s Momma leads the boys in a daily struggle, waking them up at the crack of dawn to go out and hunt, all while staying connected to the house by the mystical rope. It’s supposed to be intense, but after about 15 minutes, you’re left wondering if they’re going to tie themselves into a knot at some point.

Halle Berry: Still Stellar in a Sinking Ship

As always, Halle Berry brings her A-game. She’s the emotional core of the movie, and her portrayal of Momma is as gritty and real as you’d expect from an Oscar winner. She’s fighting tooth and nail to keep her boys safe in a world overrun by an unseen evil, and you can feel her desperation and love for her children. At least her performance kept me interested—Halle is just that good.

The kids, Percy Daggs IV and Anthony B. Jenkins, are also solid. They don’t have much to work with in terms of script, but they pull off the dynamic of brothers caught between belief and doubt fairly well. Nolan, the older brother, starts questioning whether this evil even exists, while Sammul remains terrified and obedient, trusting his mother’s every word. Their tension adds a bit of depth, but honestly, the script fails them at every turn.

The Plot: A Jumbled Mess

Let’s talk about the story for a second—if you can call it that. The first half of the movie plods along with repeated scenes of the family hunting, eating, and reciting some half-baked incantations to keep the evil spirits away. Momma insists the evil is real and that breaking the rope connection would lead to death or possession. Meanwhile, the kids are trapped in this bizarre ritualistic life, constantly in fear.

It’s Nolan’s doubt that finally sets off the film’s climax, but instead of an exciting twist or revelation, we’re treated to a painfully predictable series of events. Momma’s belief in the evil pushes her to the edge, and (spoiler alert) she ends up killing herself to protect her boys from the thing she believes is lurking outside. This should’ve been a heartbreaking, gut-wrenching moment, but the movie had already lost me by that point.

The Ending: Cue the Cringe

If the film hadn’t already gone off the rails by now, the ending sealed the deal. Halle Berry’s character comes back from the dead and morphs into a strange, cringy monster (I couldn’t decide if she was trying to be scary or just doing a bizarre zombie cosplay). She engages in a ridiculous fight scene with her own child, and at that moment, I realized this movie had no idea what it wanted to be. Is it a psychological thriller? Is it a monster movie? Is it a PSA about not letting go of ropes in the woods? Who knows.

What could have been a smart, slow-burn psychological horror ended up being a hot mess of confusing storylines and cringy visuals.

The Technicals: Sound and Scares

Now, if you’re just here for the technical review—Never Let Go does have its moments. Alexandre Aja, the director, knows how to build suspense, even if it fizzles out by the third act. The film’s eerie, desaturated visuals and clever use of the rope as a visual metaphor are pretty neat. The house and forest set the stage for a creepy, isolating atmosphere.

Composer “Rob” delivers a decent score, keeping things tense with a mix of eerie sounds and sudden bursts of discordant noise. It’s unsettling, in a good way. But all the technical prowess in the world couldn’t save this movie from itself.

Final Thoughts: Maybe Let Go

So, here’s where I land. If you’re a die-hard Halle Berry fan (like me), you might get some satisfaction from watching her carry this messy movie on her back. Her performance is raw and powerful, even if the story lets her down. But if you’re looking for a good horror-thriller, you might want to “let go” of the idea that this one’s worth your time.