Halle Berry’s New Horror Film: A Critical Success
Halle Berry’s latest foray into the horror genre, Never Let Go, marks a significant milestone in her career with its impressive reception. Under the direction of Alexandre Aja, the film introduces audiences to a family haunted by a relentless spirit. The story centers on a mother, portrayed by Berry, and her twin sons, played by Percy Daggs IV and Anthony B. Jenkins. When one of the boys starts to doubt the existence of the spirit, it fractures their bond and ignites a harrowing struggle for survival.
As the movie gears up for its theatrical debut on September 20, reviews have started pouring in. The film has achieved a 72% rating on Rotten Tomatoes with 18 reviews at the time of reporting, a number that could change as more reviews come in. This score marks Berry’s highest rating for a lead role since her performance in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (89%) in 2019, discounting her appearances in documentaries like Lost in America and Sidney.
Comparing Halle Berry’s Recent Filmography
A Notable High Since 2019
Halle Berry, a celebrated figure in both film and television, boasts an impressive accolades list. Her Emmy win for Introducing Dorothy Dandridge in 1999 and an Oscar for Monster’s Ball in 2001, where she made history as the first African-American woman to win Best Actress, highlight her distinguished career. However, in recent years, Berry’s film choices have not always resonated with critics. Films such as Roland Emmerich’s disaster epic Moonfall (35%) and Netflix’s The Union (36%) received lukewarm responses. Even Bruised (50%), her directorial debut in the boxing drama genre, garnered mixed reviews.
Halle Berry's 10 Best Movies, Ranked
With Never Let Go, Berry secures her best Rotten Tomatoes score for a starring role since John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum in 2019, aside from documentaries like Lost in America (100%) and Sidney (90%). Prior to her role in the John Wick franchise, Berry had a string of films that were critically panned, including the Los Angeles riots drama Kings (13%) and the abduction thriller Kidnap (35%), while Kingsman: The Golden Circle (50%) received a mixed critical reception. Before John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, her last film to earn a ‘Fresh’ rating was X-Men: Days of Future Past (90%) in 2014.
Analyzing Never Let Go‘s Achievement
Is This Her Best Horror Project?
Berry’s recent involvement in critically underwhelming projects makes the success of Never Let Go, a horror film, somewhat unexpected. Historically, Berry has not found much critical success in this genre, with titles like Gothika and Dark Tide being poorly received. However, Alexandre Aja, known for his triumphs in horror with films such as Piranha and Crawl, appears to have delivered another hit. Reviews for Never Let Go commend its atmospheric tension, psychological complexity, and compelling performances.
Source: Rotten Tomatoes
Never Let Go
- Horror
- Thriller
A mother and her twin sons are trapped in their house by a malevolent force, relying on their familial bond and physical connection for safety. When one son questions the reality of the evil, their unity unravels, leading to a terrifying battle for survival in this psychological thriller/horror.
