Review by Jon Donnis
Never Let Go is one of those horror films that starts with so much potential but seems to lose its way as it goes along. Directed by Alexandre Aja, it's supposed to be a tense, psychological survival thriller, but it ends up feeling like it doesn't quite know what it's aiming for.
The premise is interesting enough, a family isolated in the woods, living in constant fear of an unseen force called "The Evil." The mother, played by Halle Berry, has her two sons completely convinced (or does she?) that this dark entity is out there, ready to take them if they don't follow a strict set of rules. At first, it's very creepy and you do get pulled into their world, with Berry giving a powerful performance that helps sell the whole paranoia thing. Her acting really adds depth to what could've easily felt flat, especially when her character starts spiraling into deeper madness.
The film plays a lot on the idea of faith and doubt, what happens when one person stops believing in what the rest of the family holds dear. It's Nolan's gradual disbelief that kicks off the real tension, and for a while, it works well. The dynamic between him, his brother Samuel, and their mum is unsettling, and you're constantly second-guessing if the evil is real or if it's just in their heads.
But then the story starts to repeat itself. There's only so much cryptic lore, rope-cutting, and "is it real or isn't it?" moments you can take before it starts to drag. The mythology of The Evil is initially intriguing, but as the film tries to build it up, it just gets messy. The big climax, which is supposed to tie everything together, falls flat. I get what Aja was trying to do, it's meant to be clever, leaving you questioning what's real, but it just feels underwhelming, especially when they throw in a bizarre CGI snake-monster in the final moments.
Speaking of CGI, for a film made in 2024, the effects are a bit embarrassing. They feel a good decade out of date, which really takes away from some of the scarier moments that should've had more impact. It's a shame because with a more grounded approach, those final sequences could've been terrifying instead of unintentionally laughable.
Despite all this, there are some genuinely chilling moments. Aja knows how to create an eerie atmosphere, especially in the claustrophobic setting of the cabin and the endless woods surrounding it. But even the most unsettling moments start to lose their punch when they're drawn out too long or repeated.
In the end, Never Let Go is a bit of a mixed bag. Halle Berry's performance is definitely the highlight, and she brings a lot more to the role than the script deserves. The film could've been much more, but the overcomplicated plot and unsatisfying ending let it down. If you're a fan of psychological horror and don't mind a few rough edges, it's worth a watch, but don't expect anything groundbreaking. 6.5 out of 10.
Out Now on Digital at https://apple.co/3Y7tLlG
