IR Film Review: NEVER LET GO [Lionsgate]

The progression of a horror film that is both in the mind and on the ground is an interesting juxtaposition. The problem with “Never Let Go” is that it never quite defines what it is. Mama (Halle Berry) and her children are seemingly the only survivors of a world gone mad. But the actual perpetrator, even in the finale, doesn’t quite come to bear. Berry gives a dynamic performance (her best in years) and you feel the strife and the switch the character is going through. But the film does lean towards her psychotic side at times in terms of the character but without a certain preciseness. The kids (played by Percy Daggs IV and Anthony Jenkins) show the push and pull of questions and loyalty to family vs. freedom. Samuel (Jenkins) seems more practical while Nolan (Daggs) is more impulsive.

The increasing divide is what makes it work especially when something happens halfway through. But again because the construct is not explained a little better, the trauma doesn’t hit as hard. It actually has more stakes when an outside influence comes into the circle. Now granted the ”other” in this creates an interesting feel and that was what was alluded to in the trailers but it never really delivers. The psychosis of really what it is is not based in the lore or any real kind of mythology. It is partially about the house but even the house doesn’t reflect its personality (say like “The Shining” - if that it is in fact what it is - or even if it is the woods as a character). The music by Rob plays a little bit into this but it is not enough. It feels like a large chunk of story is missing or excised but without the reasoning the film, despite its intention, feels incomplete. C

By Tim Wassberg