Published by Mason Oldridge, 9 September 2024
CONTAINS SPOILERS!
The Deliverance is essentially an African-American 21st century remake of The Exorcist, though unfortunately isn’t as fresh a take as you may have hoped.
Somewhat based on the true story of the alleged paranormal activity of the Ammons haunting case, it follows abusive alcoholic mother Ebony who lives with her three children and her mother as supernatural events occur in the house. It turns out the demon-possessed previous tenant murdered her family and now Ebony’s children are possessed, in which an exorcism is performed to save them.
The film undeniably fails at pacing. Almost the first hour of the film is primarily physical and verbal abuse, spoken in foul-mouthed urban slang that practically requires an English translation, all the while in a visually dark setting. Viewers are likely to be left wondering if anything explicitly haunting is going to happen.
When something does finally happen, we discover the film fails at originality too. A reverend who identifies possession. A mother first in denial but then believes. A possessed child. Walking up the wall backwards. Uttering offensive insults. An exorcism carried out to free the child. Religious undertones. It is as if a possession movie checklist was followed and ticked off throughout the narrative. Also, the exorcism itself is so slapstick that suspension of disbelief is impossible.
Furthermore, the plot reads better on paper than it does on screen, suggesting poor creative decisions and directorial choices are to blame.
In conclusion, the film is severely weak on multiple levels and in no way an enjoyable watch.
3/10
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