-Written by Kyle Bain.
A Momma (Halle Berry) to two young boys, Samuel (Anthony B. Jenkins) and Nolan (Percy Daggs IV), has instilled in them a fear of the outside world. Confined almost entirely to their home in the middle of the woods, the trio refuses to leave the house without being attached to a rope, a rope that will protect them from the evil that lurks outside. When questions begin to rise about the validity of what they’ve been told, they wonder if “Never Let Go” really is the best course of action.
First of all, the star of the show, Berry, doesn't even have that much screen time–and the torch is ultimately passed to the two young boys. They are incredibly talented, particularly Daggs IV. I’m always skeptical when it comes to young actors, particularly in such prominent, dramatic roles. The two boys, however, deliver every single line with incredible gusto, with a vigor that you often find in the most seasoned actors. Never Let Go relies heavily on these actors in order to find success, and I can’t say enough about how talented they are, how well they perform in their respective roles.
I feel that Never Let Go was meant to be heavily emotional, but I’m not entirely sure that the emotion comes through quite as strong as Director Alexandre Aja had hoped, except for in one exceptionally strong moment for Daggs IV. I don’t want you to think that emotion isn’t relevant in the film, because that’s not true–but I didn’t feel a strong connection to Berry’s Momma, and I attest that to the writing and not her performance. With that, the bond that was meant to be realized between the mother and her sons doesn’t work as well as it needed to. I more appreciated the bond between Nolan and the family's dog, Koda.
The use of sound in Never Let Go is truly brilliant, as it almost plays as a character throughout the course of the film. It supports each and every character, bolsters every scene, and adds depth to a film that desperately needed it. Again, the emotional gravitas is lacking within the script, and the sound development helps to fill a massive void. Whether it’s the crackling of fire, the croaking of the seemingly infinite number of frogs, or the disgusting slobbering of some evil entity, every bit of the sound works to make Never Let Go better. Additionally, the sound travels from place to place in the theater, keeping viewers immersed in the film from start to finish.
With that lacking emotional aspect, Never Let Go struggles to reel viewers in, and it struggles to become all that it had the potential to be. The acting is superb, and the actors help to carry the film, even with a script that doesn’t always support them. The sound also helps to create an immersive experience, one that keeps hold of the audience throughout the course of the film. Never Let Go is absolutely missing something–and I can’t think of anything other than that aforementioned emotion being the culprit.
Directed by Alexandre Aja.
Written by KC Coughlin & Ryan Grassby.
Starring Halle Berry, Anthony B. Jenkins, Percy Daggs IV, Stephanie Lavigne, William Catlett, etc.
7/10 = WATCH IT FOR FREE
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