By Sarah Musnicky
Part of growing up is asking questions but also dealing with their consequences. It is how we learn and grow. But in NEVER LET GO, the seed of doubt becomes the gateway to evil. Capturing the atmosphere and ambiguity of a Southern gothic fairytale, this film is rooted in place by the strength of its performances. Through the relationships captured onscreen, some storytelling sins are forgiven, but its third act takes swings that struggle despite the ambition behind them.
Evil has taken over the world, with Momma (Halle Berry) constantly guarding over her two sons, Nolan (Percy Daggs IV) and Samuel (Anthony B. Jenkins). Fear of that evil guides her hand, shaping the routine and rules by which the family lives. But an incident in the woods outside of their sacred home plants a seed of doubt in Nolan, starting the downward trajectory of the family as they already grapple with the dismal prospect of their survival.
NEVER LET GO follows in the footsteps of similar survival thriller films like A Quiet Place and Bird Box in the rules established by Momma. However, director Alexandre Aja uses the framework of Kevin Coughlin's and Ryan Grassby's screenplay to clue us into Momma's mindset. Momma's perception of reality is visceral and honest, giving audiences an understanding that provokes empathy even when her actions culminate in abusive-like behavior.
The sound design almost reinforces the reality and the isolated nature of the family's home. In the forest, with no one around, the human mind can conjure up all sorts of things. Throw in doubts and insecurities, and that's all it takes to open the doors wide open in NEVER LET GO. These elements, in tandem with the application of sound, prove to be one of the stronger storytelling mechanisms in the film.
The slow burn of tension takes hold between fraternal brothers Nolan and Samuel before boiling over. But it doesn't come out of nowhere. Nolan's questioning nature and the power imbalance within the household are detected from the film's beginning. As NEVER LET GO continues, Percy Daggs IV's Nolan goes through the motions, resistance forming against his mother. Going toe to toe with seasoned actress Halle Berry is no easy feat, and Daggs rises up.
As the softer, less resilient brother, Anthony B. Jenkins's Samuel provides a distinct contrast with his brother. Seldom questioning Momma, his staunch refusal to question puts him into conflict with his brother. With a more subdued performance, Jenkins leans further into subtlety and nuance. This quiet approach also lends itself to Samuel's final transition, setting down a foundation that explodes with power when his doubt seals his fate.
The screenplay proves to be both a blessing and a curse in NEVER LET GO. Splitting the story into chapters is a hindrance, as the story naturally flows without the necessity of these breaks. Inputting these chapters does nothing but halt the flow. Other films recently have deployed the usage of chapters with mixed results in these isolated apocalyptic scenarios. In this film, it does not work.
The guessing game audiences endure throughout NEVER LET GO is a testament to where the script excels. Berry's all in with her performance, making anyone believe that, perhaps, an evil exists outside the confines of their home. Stirring our own doubt is how the boys react to what she sees, providing the argument that she isn't all there. Unclear is whether or not there was intent on the evil being a culmination of familial mental illness, as the ambiguity the story sticks to seems more intent on leaving that up to the audience.
The lack of clarity proves more frustrating in part due to its execution. Ambiguity as a storytelling device can be a useful tool. In NEVER LET GO, the ambiguity suffers as ideas and themes compete for supremacy, resulting in a weaker, less impactful storyline. Where the story succeeds most is in capitalizing on how doubt can tear a person asunder. And as long as doubt and insecurities plague the mind, there is no security. Had the story been more streamlined to that particular throughline, it might have felt sturdier by the film's end.
Aja is given a chance to thoroughly open the can of horror worms in the film's final act, with the film's final moments providing answers and setting the stage for a potential sequel if the wind blows that way. Daggs' and Jenkins' performances in the final act keep things from becoming too outlandish. The ending, however, makes a definitive choice in answering one key mystery of NEVER LET GO's world. As the credits roll, there's a sense of something lacking, likely a need for more depth or something more to hammer things home.
NEVER LET GO, while not perfect, is bolstered by the strength of the performances. Halle Berry's Momma keeps her sons and the audience guessing, with her reality feeling lived and terrifying yet suspicious. No one look away from Daggs or Jenkins, though. These young talents more than prove the depth of their skills and, along with Berry, prove to be the shining lights of this otherwise okay survival thriller.
NEVER LET GO is now in theaters.
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