Netflix’s The Deliverance Review: Horror Meets Faith

Lee Daniels' supernatural thriller tackles possession and faith with mixed results

By Medha deb

Created on Jun 2, 2025

Lee Daniels' supernatural thriller tackles possession and faith with mixed results

Netflix’s The Deliverance: A Review of Lee Daniels’ Supernatural Horror Drama

Netflix continues to expand its horror catalog with “The Deliverance,” director Lee Daniels’ ambitious supernatural thriller that combines family drama with demonic possession elements. The film, which premiered on the streaming platform in 2024, stars acclaimed actors including Glenn Close, Andra Day, and Mo’Nique. While the production boasts impressive performances and a compelling setup, the execution struggles to maintain momentum throughout its runtime. This review examines the film’s strengths, weaknesses, and whether it deserves a spot on your Netflix watchlist.

Plot Overview and Setup

Set in Pennsylvania during 2011, “The Deliverance” follows Ebony Jackson, portrayed by Andra Day, a struggling single mother with three children: Nate, Shante, and Andre. Facing financial difficulties and an alcohol dependency that complicates her parenting, Ebony moves her family into a new house while simultaneously caring for her ailing mother, Alberta, played by Glenn Close. What initially appears to be a story about overcoming personal struggles and family hardship takes a sinister turn when the youngest child, Andre, begins exhibiting bizarre and unexplainable behaviors.

The film draws inspiration from the real 2011 Ammons haunting case that became one of the most publicized alleged supernatural events of the decade. Director Lee Daniels recognized the potential in this material to create a compelling narrative that blends psychological drama with horror elements. The true story provided fertile ground for exploring themes of faith, maternal struggle, and the thin line between psychological breakdown and genuine supernatural phenomena.

Cast Performances and Character Development

One of “The Deliverance’s” strongest aspects is its ensemble cast, featuring several Oscar-caliber actors bringing depth to their roles. Glenn Close delivers what many consider the film’s standout performance as Alberta, the cantankerous grandmother. Her portrayal subverts expectations, offering a nuanced interpretation of a character quite different from her typical roles. Close brings authenticity and surprising vulnerability to a character that could have easily become one-dimensional.

Andra Day continues to showcase her versatility as an actress with her role as Ebony Jackson. Despite her character’s morally questionable decisions and struggles with alcoholism, Day manages to create a sympathetic portrayal of a mother desperately trying to hold her fractured family together. Her performance anchors the film’s emotional core, even when the narrative takes confusing turns.

Supporting performances from the younger cast members, particularly Caleb McLaughlin from “Stranger Things,” add credibility to the family dynamic. However, some viewers noted inconsistency in certain performances, which slightly detracts from the overall impact of key scenes.

Themes of Faith and Horror

“The Deliverance” attempts to weave religious themes throughout its narrative, with director Lee Daniels stating his intention to “scare viewers into finding their faith.” However, this central concept creates a philosophical and practical challenge for the film. The movie emphasizes demonic power and supernatural horror for much of its runtime, with the faith-based elements arriving predominantly in the final act. This imbalance creates a tonal problem where the religious resolution feels rushed and somewhat disconnected from the darker atmosphere that dominates the preceding footage.

The film features an apostle character tasked with delivering Andre from demonic possession, introducing explicit religious elements to combat the supernatural threat. While this concept has merit, the execution raises questions about whether fear of demonic forces represents the most compelling pathway to genuine faith development. Critics noted that the Christian messaging, while present, feels secondary to the horror spectacle throughout most of the film.

Production Quality and Visual Effects

“The Deliverance” demonstrates solid production values overall, with competent cinematography and sound design that enhance the horror atmosphere during key scenes. However, the visual effects present a significant weakness in the film’s execution. Several reviewers noted that the CGI, particularly during hospital and basement sequences, appears unpolished and occasionally distracting. The demon voice work received criticism for lacking authenticity and menace, with some viewers finding unintentionally comedic moments where the filmmakers likely intended genuine scares.

The disconnect between the film’s intimate, character-driven first half and the horror-heavy second half suggests possible inconsistencies in directorial vision or editorial choices. This tonal shift leaves viewers uncertain whether they’re experiencing the same film or if the production underwent significant changes mid-project.

Narrative Strengths and Weaknesses

The opening acts of “The Deliverance” establish genuine tension through family dynamics and financial desperation. Viewers witness Ebony’s internal conflicts as she battles addiction while managing her relationship with a controlling mother and caring for three vulnerable children. This setup provides psychological depth that feels authentic and emotionally resonant.

However, the film stumbles when transitioning from family drama into supernatural horror. Character motivations become muddled, plot points feel underexplored, and significant backstory elements receive insufficient development. Questions about the children’s absent father, Ebony’s family history, and the house’s previous supernatural events remain largely unanswered, leaving narrative holes that undermine the film’s coherence.

The characterization of Ebony as an abusive mother who struggles with extreme anger outbursts creates an empathetic challenge for audiences. While her flaws make her human, the film fails to provide sufficient redemptive moments or character growth that would allow viewers to become fully invested in her journey. Similarly, some Christian characters exhibit behaviors contradictory to their faith, creating confusion about the film’s moral compass.

Comparative Analysis: Genre Conventions

Aspect	The Deliverance	Typical Supernatural Horror
Opening Setup	Strong family drama foundation	Often begins with horror elements
Faith Integration	Prominent in final act only	Either absent or consistent throughout
Visual Effects	Inconsistent quality	Varies by budget and studio
Tonal Consistency	Shifts dramatically mid-film	Maintains established tone

Pacing and Runtime

At nearly two hours, “The Deliverance” occupies substantial viewing time without always justifying its length. The film’s first half moves deliberately, establishing character relationships and financial pressures that create natural tension. However, once supernatural elements emerge prominently, pacing issues become apparent. Scenes extend longer than necessary, jump scares feel predictable rather than shocking, and the build toward the climactic exorcism sequence meanders rather than accelerates.

Some viewers reported feeling that the film could have benefited from tighter editing and more focused storytelling. The balance between developing Ebony’s personal struggles and depicting Andre’s possession could have been more effectively managed to maintain audience engagement throughout the entire runtime.

The Religion Question

A central controversy surrounding “The Deliverance” involves its treatment of Christian faith. Director Daniels’ stated goal of using fear as a motivator for faith raised eyebrows among religious critics and commentators. Traditional Christian theology emphasizes that genuine faith development emerges from understanding God’s love and grace rather than from fear of satanic forces. The film’s emphasis on demonic power over divine protection contradicts this theological framework, creating philosophical tension alongside the narrative tension.

When faith elements do emerge in the film’s climax, they feel somewhat disconnected from the preceding horror spectacle. The tonal whiplash from sustained darkness to a triumphant religious message doesn’t quite land with the emotional impact intended, particularly since the threatening atmosphere continues even after the apparent resolution.

Should You Watch The Deliverance?

Whether “The Deliverance” deserves your streaming time depends on your genre preferences and tolerance for flawed execution. If you appreciate Lee Daniels’ previous work and enjoy character-driven drama, the film’s first half offers compelling viewing centered on genuine family conflict and personal struggle. Glenn Close’s performance alone justifies sampling the film, as her portrayal demonstrates versatility and nuance.

However, if you’re seeking a well-executed supernatural horror experience with coherent storytelling and effective scares, “The Deliverance” may disappoint. The disconnect between its dual genres creates a product that satisfies neither horror enthusiasts nor serious drama devotees completely. The visual effects occasionally undermine rather than enhance the intended atmosphere, and the narrative fails to adequately explore the intriguing true-story source material.

The film occupies an awkward middle ground, more competent than outright bad but not quite achieving the ambitions its concept promises. For Netflix subscribers seeking fresh horror content, it provides serviceable entertainment without reaching exceptional quality.

Critical Reception and Audience Response

“The Deliverance” has received mixed reviews from both critics and general audiences, with particular praise directed toward the cast performances and initial setup, while criticism focuses on the horror execution and narrative coherence. Rotten Tomatoes scores reflect this division, with notable discrepancies between critical and audience ratings.

Viewers consistently highlight Glenn Close’s performance as a bright spot in an otherwise uneven film. Many also appreciated the authentic portrayal of family dysfunction and financial struggle during the opening acts. Conversely, complaints center on the tonal shift, visual effects quality, and the sense that the film doesn’t fully commit to either drama or horror, instead producing a hybrid that feels compromised.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is The Deliverance based on a true story?

A: Yes, the film draws inspiration from the 2011 Ammons haunting case in Gary, Indiana, which became a widely publicized alleged supernatural event. However, “The Deliverance” is a fictionalized adaptation rather than a documentary representation of actual events.

Q: How scary is The Deliverance?

A: The film features jump scares and disturbing imagery, but effectiveness varies by viewer. Some found genuine scares, while others found certain sequences unintentionally comedic due to visual effects quality. It’s moderately frightening rather than terrifying.

Q: What is The Deliverance’s runtime?

A: The film runs approximately two hours, with significant pacing variations between the family drama first half and the supernatural horror second half.

Q: Is there a post-credits scene?

A: No, “The Deliverance” does not include a post-credits scene, so viewers can leave once the main credits begin.

Q: Why does the film emphasize demonic power over faith?

A: Director Lee Daniels intended to explore faith development through fear of supernatural evil, though critics questioned whether this theological framework provides the most compelling basis for spiritual conviction.

Final Verdict

“The Deliverance” represents an ambitious but ultimately compromised effort to blend family drama with supernatural horror while exploring faith themes. The film’s strongest elements—its cast performances, particularly Glenn Close’s standout role, and its effective portrayal of family dysfunction—cannot fully compensate for narrative inconsistencies, tonal problems, and visual effects that occasionally undermine the intended atmosphere. Lee Daniels demonstrates his strength in character-driven storytelling during the opening acts but struggles to maintain that intensity once the horror elements take precedence. For streaming viewers seeking reliable entertainment with quality performances, “The Deliverance” offers enough merits to warrant consideration, though it falls short of being a must-watch title that transcends its mixed execution.