Never Let Go Movie Review : Visceral and stunning visuals overshadow a flawed narrative

Story: When an unstoppable evil force overpowers the world, a mother and her twin sons seek refuge in their sacred home deep in the woods. They're protected by ropes they must never let go. When one of the boys turns sceptical, the trio fights to survive. Will they?

Review: The woods in Never Let Go are dreadful, dark, and deep. An unnamed mother (Halle Berry) and her sons, Nolan (Percy Daggs IV) and Sammul (Anthony B Jenkins), live there in isolation in a cabin, harrowed by the constant threat of starvation and the encroaching darkness. Their mother has convinced the boys that the outside world is a wasteland overrun by an omnipresent malevolent. However, as Nolan begins to question their isolation, a chilling tension emerges, testing the once-harmonious bond between the trio.

Director Alexandre Aja and writers Kevin Coughlin and Ryan Grassby craft a tense, suspenseful narrative that explores the blurred lines between reality and paranoia. Maxime Alexandre’s atmospheric cinematography, the eerie forest and the grotesque creatures inhabiting it are both terrifying and mesmerising. Rob’s haunting score further makes this suspenseful horror outing a visceral experience. The tension is palpable, even in the supposed safety of their cabin, as the family grapples with the constant threat of invasion and the possibility of betrayal.

As the narrative unfolds, however, the audience is left wondering: is the malevolent presence real or a product of the mother's paranoid delusion? The movie presents both possibilities but lacks the conviction to be on one side. The intrigue is effectively built, with ample jump scares and unnerving scenes, but the slow pace detracts from the overall impact. Themes of folklore, fairy tales, and shared psychosis are touched upon but left underexplored. The story's twists are intense, yet fail to deliver a mind-blowing revelation.

The story's bleak atmosphere and protective parent archetype evoke memories of M Night Shyamalan's The Village, where fear of the outside world keeps children sheltered. It is a metaphor for the evil that men do and the destructive nature of humanity's darker impulses, which threaten to erase civilisation's last vestiges of compassion. The film cleverly uses Koda, the family dog, as a symbol of innocence, immune to the evils that surround them. While Never Let Go boasts unexpected twists, they fail to deliver a knockout punch, leaving the viewer wanting more.

Despite narrative shortcomings, the performances are standout. Halle Berry, Percy Daggs IV, and Anthony B Jenkins deliver powerful portrayals and complexities of fear, doubt, and the dilemma of survival versus loyalty.

Never Let Go is a gripping and disturbing film with chilling atmosphere. However, the narrative falls short of fully realising its potential. As a one-time-watch, genre fans may enjoy the stellar haunting visuals and the occasional jump scares.