'Never Let Go' review: An effective tale of parenthood and survival in a dystopian world

Courtesy of Lionsgate

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Raising children during the apocalypse is one of the most compelling narrative devices, grounded in high stakes that any parent can immediately relate to. In "Never Let Go," the latest thriller to explore this theme, the desire to shield children from unseen dangers unfolds like a sturdy bedtime story mingled with a “Twilight Zone” episode. While the final act could benefit from more finesse to reinforce the film’s overall message, as someone who appreciates ambiguity in storytelling, I found myself engaged by this intriguing analogy of the challenges of parenthood.

Directed by Alexandre Aja, known for his work in contained horror—such as throwing Barry Pepper into an alligator-infested swamp in "Crawl" and putting Diane Kruger through harrowing trials in "Oxygen"—"Never Let Go" underscores a familiar truth: protecting your children in a collapsing world is an enormous challenge. The protagonist, known only as Mama (Halle Berry), lives with her sons Samuel (Anthony B. Jenkins) and Nolan (Percy Daggs IV) in a secluded cabin deep in the woods, where survival is a daily struggle. Years have passed since an evil, demonic force consumed the planet, leaving the cabin as their only sanctuary.

This unseen evil manifests in various forms, visible only to adults, while the cabin serves as a protective barrier. Mama instructs her children to never let go of their home, the sole beacon of safety, even as they venture out daily to scavenge for supplies. To ensure their security, she ties them to the cabin with long ropes, creating an elaborate system that keeps them bound until they return safely.

This setup creates a literal and metaphorical tug-of-war, particularly for Nolan, who begins to question Mama's narrative. Aja cleverly filters the details of this world-ending plague through Mama’s perspective, instilling doubt in both Nolan and Samuel, who know nothing beyond the life she has crafted for them.

Midway through the film, the trio reaches a breaking point, and the resilience of their relationships prevents "Never Let Go" from devolving into a series of tedious jump scares. Aja, known for his disturbing films like "High Tension" and his remake of "The Hills Have Eyes," surprisingly draws out significant humanity from the story and performances. Berry excels as the overprotective yet slightly unhinged mother, striving to prepare her children for the harsh realities of their world. The child actors also deliver solid performances, navigating the complexities of their relationship while facing the ever-present dangers of a society poised to consume them.

The film culminates in an ending that may not achieve the emotional catharsis screenwriters KC Coughlin and Ryan Grassy intended, but it injects a familiar premise with fresh flair. The true strength of "Never Let Go" lies in the parent-child relationship, which resonates throughout, even as Aja maintains a balance of jump scares and horror theatrics. With startling imagery that sends chills down the spine, this film is worth holding onto.

Grade: B

NEVER LET GO is now playing in theaters.