Never Let Go

Never Let Go is a 2024 American survival horror thriller directed by Alexandre Aja. The film features Halle Berry in the lead role as a mother struggling with schizophrenia, set against a backdrop of supernatural threats.

The movie premiered on 16 September 2024, at the Regal Times Square theater in New York City. It was released across the United States on 20 September 2024. The film has a runtime of 101 minutes and was produced on a budget of $20 million, grossing approximately $21.8 million worldwide.

The story follows a woman known as Momma and her two young sons, Nolan and Samuel, who live in a secluded cabin within a vast forest. Momma believes that a supernatural force called "The Evil" has taken over the world, leaving them as the last survivors. She is haunted by visions of entities that her children cannot see, but they accept their mother's fear as real.

The family follows strict rules to avoid the clutches of this Evil. They tie ropes to each other when leaving the house and recite a daily prayer to their home for protection. Their survival involves hunting and foraging for food, which grows increasingly difficult as winter approaches.

One day, a disagreement leads to an accident where Samuel breaks his ankle after getting disconnected from his rope. Momma saves them, but her visions worsen, featuring both her deceased parents and a terrifying version of her son, Nolan. As they run out of food and endure harsh conditions, Momma suggests a drastic measure: to kill their family dog for food.

In a desperate attempt to save the dog, Nolan cuts Momma's rope, locking her inside the greenhouse. Confronted by her own visions of the Evil, she tragically takes her own life. This event causes Samuel to lash out at Nolan, blaming him for their mother's death.

As the story unfolds, Nolan discovers an empty road while searching for food and encounters a hiker who has heard his calls for help. However, Samuel, in a state of paranoia, threatens this person with a crossbow, leading to a tragic confrontation that results in the hiker's death. The hiker's daughter later searches for him, and Samuel's mental state deteriorates further as he begins to see her as a malevolent figure.

The climax of the film sees Samuel setting their home ablaze, forcing Nolan to hide in a crawlspace with an apparition of Momma that shifts into a snake-like creature. As the cabin burns, the film reveals that Momma's fears may have stemmed from her mental illness rather than an external Evil. In a haunting conclusion, Samuel whispers to Nolan, "She loves me more," hinting at the lasting impact of their mother’s troubled mind.

The cast includes:

• Halle Berry as Momma
• Percy Daggs IV as Nolan
• Anthony B. Jenkins as Samuel
• Will Catlett as Poppa
• Matthew Kevin Anderson as a hiker
• Christin Park as a medic
• Stephanie Lavigne as the Evil

The film originally started as a script titled Mother Land, acquired by Shawn Levy’s 21 Laps Entertainment in August 2020. It underwent various changes in direction and cast before settling with Aja at the helm and Berry onboard. Principal photography took place in Vancouver, British Columbia, from 17 April to 02 June 2023.

After its release, Never Let Go received mixed reviews from critics, holding a score of 56% on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 55 on Metacritic, suggesting average reception. Despite the varied feedback, there are plans for a potential horror franchise, with Berry expressing interest in developing prequels and sequels.

For more information, visit the official website or check out Never Let Go on IMDb.