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Spoiler alert! This article contains significant plot details and the ending of “Never Let Go,” which is currently in theaters.
Halle Berry channels her protective instincts as a mother in the new horror film, “Never Let Go,” directed by Alexandre Aja. Portraying a character known simply as Momma, Berry’s role showcases a parent’s desperate will to safeguard their children at all costs.
Momma’s fierce determination is tested as she believes that an ominous Evil threatens her two young sons. However, the film blurs the lines between reality and imagination, leaving viewers questioning whether the Evil is truly present or merely a manifestation of Momma’s psyche. Through intense and harrowing moments, the true nature of the threat remains ambiguous, compelling audiences to ponder deeper themes around mental health and collective trauma.
Berry empathizes with her character’s struggle to protect her children, saying, “I certainly connect to and understand what it is to fiercely protect your children, even when it’s not the popular choice.” She emphasizes that the essence of motherhood is to disregard outside opinions when it comes to the well-being of one’s children.
Living in isolation since their birth, the two boys, Sam (Anthony B. Jenkins) and Nolan (Percy Daggs IV), have only known a secluded life in a cabin surrounded by wilderness. Momma instills in them the belief that an unknown Evil has ravaged the outside world, and this cabin serves as their sanctuary. To survive, they employ unconventional means, using ropes for hunting and safety, as Momma insists that not being tethered could lead to dire consequences.
Berry was drawn to the film’s exploration of complex themes, as she believed it reflects the intricacies of human emotions and the darker aspects of the world. “It shows how complicated we are, and how complicated our world is, and how scary our world can be,” she stated.
The nature of the Evil in the film becomes a haunting presence for Momma, revealing itself in various disturbing forms, including apparitions of her deceased parents and the father of her children — a figure she may have harmed. Berry notes that the boys illustrate the duality of Momma herself, embodying both her strengths and vulnerabilities. As Nolan begins to grapple with their isolated life, questioning the existence of the Evil, Sam mirrors Momma’s unwavering commitment to keeping their family safe, even when horrific actions may be required.
Momma’s mental state is precarious throughout the film, forcing her to confront the possibility of her own insanity. Berry poses a compelling question, asking how anyone could remain sane while living under such extreme conditions: “If the Evil is real but this Evil has sequestered you to this life of solitude, wouldn’t you be driven crazy?”
The film illustrates the delicate balance between protection and control, as Momma resorts to extreme measures to ensure her children remain safe. When they accidentally flow outside their designated safety, she resorts to drastic methods, threatening them with violence to ensure they acknowledge the potential threat they face.
One key moment occurs in the latter part of the film when Momma is confronted by a spectral version of her mother. Fearing that she may become entrapped by the Evil and harm her children, she makes the heart-wrenching decision to harm herself. This pivotal scene raises questions about the nature of her visions: whether they stem from mental illness or are reflections of real danger.
As the narrative progresses, the focus turns to the boys and their survival after Momma’s death. They encounter an unexpected reality beyond their isolated existence, but their experiences take a dark turn marked by confusion and violence. The trajectory of their actions culminates in a climactic moment, where betrayal between the brothers unfolds, leading to devastating consequences.
The film closes with a haunting note of uncertainty. As the audience is led to believe that the Evil may have been just a figment of imagination, the final moments introduce a supernatural element, leaving viewers grappling with conflicting interpretations.
Berry highlights the intentional ambiguity of the film’s ending, suggesting that it allows for personal interpretations shaped by viewers’ own beliefs and experiences. “The beauty of it is that it’s open-ended, and we can all take away from it what we think the truth of the matter is,” she explains. The endings of “Never Let Go” invite us all to reflect on our own perspectives and the truth we perceive within our realities.
Source: USA Today