Title: The Deliverance
MPA Rating: R
Director: Lee Daniels
Starring: Andra Day, Glenn Close, Mo’Nique
Runtime: 1 hr 52 mins

What It Is: Ebony (Day) is an alcoholic mother of two who has just moved her sons into a new home. With the help of her mother, Alberta (Close), she attempts to rebuild her life. However, Alberta was never the best mother to Ebony, and their strained relationship, along with some other nefarious spirits lurking in the basement of their new home, begins to haunt them. When these spirits make themselves known, it spells trouble for the young mother and her sons. Meanwhile, their real-life issues also start bubbling to the surface.

What We Think: Perhaps the horror genre isn’t the best fit for Lee Daniels. I don’t think he fully grasps what works in these types of films and what doesn’t. Andra Day is certainly a capable actress, but I honestly have no idea what Glenn Close is doing here. Her makeup and characterization feel somewhat problematic, bordering on racial insensitivity. The performance is underwhelming, the makeup is jarring, and it’s hard not to wonder who thought this was a good idea. I tend not to criticize child actors when their performances don’t stand out—it’s unfair to blame them when there’s hardly any material to work with. Overall, this film has a lot in common with Never Let Go

Our Grade: D+, What a pile of crap. It can’t even commit to being truly awful. Instead, it’s just mediocre, lacking the conviction to take its silliness and stupidity to the next level. If it had at least been entertaining in its idiocy, it would have left more of an impression. Instead, we’re left with something sorely lacking in the qualities that might have made a more competently crafted film work, even if the concept feels overdone. A better script always helps, but unfortunately, the one David Coggeshall and Elijah Bynum put together just wasn’t strong enough. As for Daniels, I think he’s a very talented filmmaker who simply had nothing to work with here. This feels like a case of the wrong director making the wrong film.