Lee Daniels addresses controversy over Glenn Close scene in The Deliverance

Lee Daniels has addressed the intense reactions to a startling scene featuring Glenn Close in the movie The Deliverance. The horror film has quickly become the most-watched title on Netflix, captivating audiences with the real-life inspired story of the "Demon House." Based in Indiana, the tale follows a family haunted by a demonic presence and a swarm of unkillable flies in 2011.

Daniels, known for his work on Precious and The Butler, ventures into the horror genre with The Deliverance. He revealed that the production faced its own strange occurrences, adding a layer of eerie authenticity to the project. The film stars Andra Day, Mo’Nique, and Glenn Close, with Close portraying Alberta, the chain-smoking mother of Day’s character.

Spoilers follow – you have been warned

By the film’s climax, Close’s character undergoes an exorcism performed by a priest, showcasing Close in a role like never before. During the possession, in a scene reminiscent of The Exorcist, Alberta sniffs and tells her daughter, "I can smell your nappy juice." This line quickly went viral on social media after the movie’s release on August 30.

One viewer posted a clip of the scene with the caption, "Lee Daniels, you will pay for your crimes for having Glenn Close say this," to which Daniels responded, "Had to do it."

Daniels has frequently lauded Close for her performance, assuring fans before the film hit Netflix that, "Y’all are not ready for Glenn in this." Speaking about the character of Alberta, he noted, "Every Black person knows an Alberta. She’s part of the fabric of our community, but we’ve never seen her on screen before. Thank you Glenn for bringing her magnificently to life."

The film is based on an article from the Indianapolis Star detailing the chilling experiences of Latoya Ammons and her family. Ammons reported unexplained footsteps in the basement and spotting a shadowy figure pacing in the living room. She also claimed her 12-year-old daughter levitated above her bed one night and that her three children were possessed, with their faces contorted and voices deepened.

The haunting continued with both the seven and nine-year-old boys being hospitalized. The nine-year-old, in a terrifying incident, allegedly walked backward up a wall to the ceiling.

The Deliverance is available to stream on Netflix now.

Source: Indianapolis Star