Award-winning director and producer Lee Daniels has added a brand new genre to his catalog with The Deliverance. Trying his hand at suspenseful horror, Daniels’ latest Netflix film follows the true story of Latoya Ammons, who claimed her three children were possessed by a demonic spirit while living in Gary, Indiana in 2011. Known as the “Demon House” case, Daniels admits he initially “stayed away” from the film for spiritual reasons.

“I know the spirit works through me. So what kind of spirits do I want to have on me? So I just thought, ‘No, I’m not going to do that,'” Daniels said Hollywood Reporterexplaining how Ammons’ story stuck with him without end. “We’d never seen that story, through the lens of this African-American woman, on screen, and I just felt like we were living in such dark times, and I don’t think people really know how dark times we were living in. And I felt like I had to reconnect with my higher power.”

In addition to influencing the decision to make the film, the “Precious” director’s spirituality also motivated a number of decisions made in the film and on set. Understanding the history of strange occurrences occurring during the production of horror movies, Daniels reportedly had a delivery person on set in any respect times to not only guide the solid but additionally “protect (the cast and crew) from the set.” After his mother further warned him about the spiritual implications of reenacting history, the director revealed that he, the solid, and crew prayed on daily basis.

“Listen, I read these books about the making of ‘Poltergeist’ and ‘The Exorcist.’ And I thought, ‘No, not today, Satan. Nothing’s going to happen in this motherfucker today.’ So we prayed every day,” Daniels said. by variety“We developed a system where I could say, ‘I don’t want to offend anyone, but those of us who are not prayer-minded are free to leave the set.’ And there were a few people who did, but most people, most of the 200 or so crew members (members), knew they wanted to be protected.”

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The film also stars Andra Day, with whom Daniels worked on “The United States vs. Billie Holiday,” Caleb McLaughlin and, controversially, Glenn Close. The role of the 77-year-old Oscar nominee Alberta, a white woman with a biracial black daughter and black grandchildren, has sparked controversy and countless memes on social media.

“Every black person knows Alberta. She is part of our community, but we have never seen her on screen before. Thank you Glenn for bringing her to life so beautifully,” Daniels wrote on Xdefending their casting decisions.

However, many viewers weren’t thrilled with Close’s presence in the film, especially since Alberta was clearly a black woman in real life.

“This n***a added a white woman to a real story that didn’t involve a white woman and then said it’s because white women like her are part of the FABRIC OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY. He’s objectively worse than Tyler Perry, sorry… he’s like Tyler Perry and Kenya Barris if they had a baby” one user wrote.

Another added: “There is literally NO scenario where a non-Black person is the actual ‘fabric’ of the Black cultural community, literally ever… especially since Black grandmothers and Black matriarchs have been the focal point of our community since the beginning.”

Despite criticism of the film — and the ongoing debate about Close’s character — Daniels appears to be having fun with the response from black Twitter users, laughing with X usersUltimately, the director hopes “The Deliverance” will motivate people spiritually.

There’s a certain joy that comes with being often called someone who not only watches but additionally enjoys all types of dark cinema. I’m the sort of person whose movie suggestions (no matter platform) are inclined to play people for whom IMDb is more prone to be a street name or a song title than a spot to store credits. That’s to not say I don’t watch high-end movies—shoutout to Tyler Perry—but I also like movies that go well with low-vibe discs.

That said, it took me some time to observe Lee Daniels’ latest film, The Deliverance , which is now available on Netflix. It’s in regards to the Jackson family from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, who move right into a haunted house. Andra Day plays Ebony Jackson, a cruel alcoholic whose children’s souls are taken over by demons, forcing Ebony to battle her own inner demons to avoid wasting her family.

Despite my tendencies as a non-horror fan, people who find themselves similarly into blackness and intrigue — and particularly black intrigue — still suggested I watch the movie. So I finally did, and baa …

And yes, I realize this movie is “based on a true story.” I’ll bet you money that people whose life story it inspired me to observe this movie and i discovered myself asking the query “whose man is this?” several times while watching, assuming the reply was yes because this movie is frivolous.

There could also be spoilers.

1. This movie shouldn’t be a horror movie. It’s a comedy pretending to be a horror movie.

Look, I’ve seen some really scary movies. “The Deliverance” shouldn’t be. In fact, I just burst out laughing SEVERAL times while watching this movie. The quotes alone (considered one of which I could not post here without several layers of acceptance) made me laugh. I just kept WAITING for a member of the Wayans family to make an unexpected appearance. While this movie is unquestionably not for youths, it is also not a scary movie that should be watched with all of the lights on.

2. Andra Day is each one of the best and worst actress on this movie.

There were parts of the movie where I felt like she was going to get nominated for an Oscar; her Philly accent alone made me look up her bio because I knew she was actually from California (she is). And the best way she ran as much as the fellows on the corner who were messing together with her kid?? Brilliant. But then there’s the remaining of the movie, where, you recognize, the fabric is the fabric. And I assume she did one of the best she could. Horror movies are inclined to focus more on the end result than the journey, however the parts of that journey were stuffed with struggle. She gave it her all within the “liberation” scenes, so between laughs I said, “Go Andra Go!” I assume that counts for something.

3. Why was Glenn Close even on this movie?

So in real life, the Ammons family that this movie relies on is a black family from Gary, Indiana. Lee Daniels decided to make Ebony Jackson’s mother, Alberta (Glenn Close), a white woman who only dates black men, and I suppose that’s… realistic? By the best way, Daniels may be very happy with himself. He even went to date as to call the character Alberta “part of the fabric of the community.” Girl, I assume. But character aside, why the hell was she even there? I do know actors love a challenge, but, um, I do not understand how she saw the script and thought, “This is the part I’ve been waiting for.” Maybe the payoff was undeniable. Kudos to Andra Day and Glenn Close; their involvement is crucial to the success of this film. Same goes for Aunjanue Ellis, who also stars within the film.

You know what…

4. “The Deliverance” made me think in regards to the worst movies I’ve seen starring probably the most talented actors.

This movie stars Andra Day, Mo’Nique, Omar Epps, Aunjanue Ellis, Glenn Close, and Caleb McLaughlin. I’m not saying it must have been an Oscar-winning movie, considering all of the forged, but I do not know, I just felt prefer it had… more to supply than it did. When the movie was over, I felt more like, “Well, that’s changed,” than “I can’t wait to watch that again.” For the record, I won’t ever watch this movie again. I do not know what the fitting answer to that query is, the primary worst movie, but stuffed with talent that I can consider is “Kingdom Come” but perhaps that is considered one of those situations where I’m the issue because my talent meter is screwed up by the flicks I watch.

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5. Pastor Bernice James (Aunjanue Ellis), the person performing deliverance, is bad at her job.

Pastor James follows Ebony and her kids around attempting to work out in the event that they need Jesus. It seems they do, and while talking to Ebony, she offers her services. She mentions when she tried to do deliverance work on the family in the home where Ebony lives, and it didn’t work; the demonic presence was too strong. Well, this woman tracked Ebony all the way down to try again and failed AGAIN. That house beat her twice. I’m sure she’s an excellent pastor. In one scene, we see her driving her congregation crazy. We also see her being choked by an invisible spirit and dragged across the ground. House: 2, Pastor James: 0. I’m slightly out of it, so perhaps she was killed (I’m not going to return and discover), but she definitely failed and left Ebony to complete the job.

6. There was a greater title for this movie that might have higher met expectations: “Ebony Got Her Kids Back.”

Even though it’s somewhat based on a real story, it is absolutely a fantasy. The story is inspired, but there may be a major distance between the actual life events and this. At one point within the movie, Ebony loses her children to the system. Ebony shouldn’t be one of the best mother and if it wasn’t for the proven fact that her kid’s father is deployed to Iraq or elsewhere, I’m sure they’d be with him because the quantity of things occurring around Ebony is sufficient to make ANYONE take those children away from her. Her own daughter is nervous that she’s going to return to prison.

Anyway, when the movie ends and after Ebony pulls the demon out of her youngest son (come on Ebony!), she’s within the kitchen with Mo’Nique, who plays a lady assigned by a government agency to observe over their family for the sake of the youngsters. Somehow Ebony thinks she’s going to get her kids back. I don’t know why she would think that is an actual thing. I imagine those kids can be sent anywhere but to her. But unfortunately, when the movie ends, a line comes across my screen that claims, “Ebony got her kids back.” Man. First of all, no way. Second of all, despite the possessed kids, it looks like she needs a while to work on herself.

Anyway, when that sentence appeared on my screen, I believed to myself, “Ebony Got Her Kids Back” can be a greater title for the movie. It would definitely put me within the scheme of things. I do not know, watch the movie and tell me what you’re thinking that. I feel I’m right.

7. I don’t know if this movie is price watching or not.

There are movies that I’ve advisable people watch because their plots are top-notch. This is not it. I do not feel like watching this movie again. At the identical time, I understand why my community kept suggesting it to me. It’s considered one of those movies that you simply want people to observe so you’ll be able to discuss how funny it’s. It’s not the worst or funniest movie I’ve ever seen—you recognize who dominated the market in that genre—however it’s about an hour and a half long and it isn’t scary, and also you get to see Glenn Close in a task that does not make sense in the event you really know who she is. She also says a two-word phrase that I’m pretty sure is the one time she’s ever said it in her life, and that is essential. So I do not know, I am unable to put a reputation to it. Like, if you’ve nothing else to do, turn it on. If you’ve other things to do, perhaps turn it on if you’re done.

Or you’ll be able to do as I do and do all of it for the culture, which I feel is nearly as good a reason as any.

Steve Harvey’s life story is coming to a cinema near you.

Objectively Good Media is reportedly working on a certified biography of the comedian titled “Seventy-Two.” Deadline. Mohamed Kheir and Matthew R. Cooper will produce the project for OGM. East 112, which is headed by Harvey and Thabiti Stephens, Chief Strategy Officer at Steve Harvey Global, may also produce the film.

“Seventy-Two,” which doesn’t yet have a author, will focus “on the transformative 72-hour period leading up to Harvey’s career-defining performance at the legendary Apollo Theater in 1993,” Deadline reports. OMG developed the idea and pitched it to Harvey and East 112, who approved it.

Harvey said in an announcement that he “was hesitant for years to make a film about his life until I read the proposal for Seventy-Two.”

“It focuses on one of the most difficult moments in my journey and career and shows the world that hope is never truly lost. Wait until you see what we do with it,” Harvey told Deadline.

According to the film’s synopsis published by Deadline, “Seventy-Two” will provide “an intimate look at the perseverance and challenges that defined Harvey’s career.”

“At age 26, Harvey left a secure sales job to pursue a career in comedy, encountering numerous obstacles along the way,” the synopsis reads. “But at age 36, he struggled through periods of self-doubt and personal struggles as he prepared for a gig that would change his career path.”

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OGM’s Kheir also issued an announcement to Deadline, saying that “it was an incredible honor to secure the rights to tell this story.”

“Steve Harvey’s ability to turn his trials into triumphs is inspiring, and Seventy-Two will showcase the resilience and determination that defined those pivotal days,” he added. “We can’t wait to share this powerful narrative with audiences around the world.”

Harvey began his stand-up profession in the Nineteen Eighties and has since appeared on popular television shows comparable to “The Steve Harvey Show” and “Steve Harvey,” the long-running talk show he hosted. The comedian currently hosts “Family Feud” and “Celebrity Family Feud.”