USA 2024
Opening September 26, 2024

Directed by: Alexandre Aja
Writing credits: KC Coughlin, Ryan Grassby
Principal actors: Halle Berry, Percy Daggs IV, Anthony B. Jenkins

It’s the end of the world, the Apocalypse, and Momma (Halle Berry) lives in an old house without electricity in the middle of the forest with her ten-year-old twin sons Nolan and Samuel (Anthony B. Jenkins and Percy Daggs IV). She says, “WE are the world now,” i.e., the only living creatures and they must stay in the house to be safe. This is the house originally inhabited by the grandparents who no longer exist, as well as their father, who is out of the picture. Going out into the woods is only possible by tying a mile-long rope around the waist, thus making a connection to the house. “The rope is your lifeline.” Their worst problem is finding food, and often swallowing a small frog or chewing bark from trees is the only solution. Negative events occur, e.g., Nolan unropes himself and goes into the woods alone; Their dog Koda is the only bright light in their day. Is he also their only source of food? What if the house should be destroyed? Now Momma is also no longer there; the boys are alone. 

What must not be “let go of” is, of course, the rope. There is no life without physical connection to the house. But wait. Who is the man who claims to be a father? Who is Cole, a man in an orange jacket? Who is this small girl? All three walk by at least once in the story. Never Let Go is described as a psychological horror thriller. Scary music accompanies it throughout, as well as three songs: “Big Rock Candy Mountain,” “Good Night Mother,” and “Our Love.” It is divided into three “chapters.”  Naturally, it’s good to see Halle Berry again, after her long career of over sixty-five films and series. It’s definitely worth your time to become acquainted with and enjoy the two young new stars: Percy Daggs IV and Anthony B. Jenkins. Here the forest has a personality of its own, appearing often in the events. This seems to follow a trend. Two other recent films, Die Schule der Magischen Tiere 3 and Geheimnis der Perlimps also feature the forest in leading roles. (Becky T.)