Netflix’sThe Deliverancefails to impress critics and audiences, as evident on Rotten Tomatoes.Inspired by a real-world haunting in Gary, Indiana, the supernatural movie follows Andra Day as Ebony Jackson as she works to keep her family together while facing the horror of demonic possession.The Deliveranceboasts a stellar cast, including Day, Oscar-nominee Glenn Close, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, andStranger Thingsstar Caleb McLaughlin. Unfortunately, it has not enjoyed much love from its viewers and critics.
According toRotten Tomatoes,The Deliverancesits at a34% score on the Tomatometerand a53% score on the audience-led Popcornmeter. Both scores have earned it Rotten designations, with the majority of viewers being displeased by the story. The reviews highlight issues with the slow pacing, cliché narrative, and melodramatic characters as the source of the movie’s lack of entertainment value.
Why Are The Deliverance’s Reviews So Bad?
The Deliverance Is Not Especially Original.
Demonic possession horror moviesare frighteningly common, having been a cornerstone of the genre sinceThe Exorcistwas released in 1973. Since then, five sequels in the franchise generally tread the same simple narrative of a demonic possession driving terror.Child possession is an established norm, as well as the trope of a family moving into a new home before discovering that it is haunted. Every single one of those elements has been featured in horror movies for decades, and none of them offers anything fresh nor new.
New On Netflix: All 146 Movies & TV Shows Arriving In October
October on Netflix is packed with new TV shows and movies including Lincoln Lawyer, and the Kung Fu Panda franchise.
Unfortunately,The Deliveranceendures the same demon possession tropesand doesn’t put any effort into subverting them in any substantial way. Two Oscar-nominated actors (Day and Close) and a winner (Mo’Nique) lead the acclaimed cast, but they do little to save the movie from aformulaic story.The Netflix movie attempts tostand out by tying itself to the real-world Ammons haunting, which became a widespread story to frighten new homeowners. Unfortunately, the movie was released a decade too late to capitalize on the haunting, which took place in 2011.
This movie attempts to be both a horror movie and a story about a dysfunctional family, but it fails to balance those sides adequately.
WhileThe Deliverance’s poor reviewsare the side effects of its relatively simple concept, it may also be a sign that audiences are no longer interested in seeing the same reused story. It’s becoming evident today that audiences prefer quality content to just a simple rehash of a once-celebrated horror genre. This movie attempts to be both a horror movie and a story about a dysfunctional family, but it fails to balance those sides adequately.The Deliverancemay be an interesting concept, but it has been done before and offers nothing especially inventive.
The Deliverance
Cast
A woman returns to her childhood home to confront dark secrets from her past. As supernatural forces emerge and family tensions rise, she must uncover the truth behind her haunting visions and protect her loved ones from an ancient evil threatening their lives.
