SAEDNEWS: Director Lee Daniels has opened up about some strange and unsettling experiences that took place while filming his new Netflix horror movie, "The Deliverance," a film inspired by true events.
According to SAEDNEWS, Starring a powerhouse cast that includes Andra Day, Glenn Close, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Mo'Nique, the film follows the story of Ebony Jackson (played by Day), a struggling single mother who moves her family into a new home in search of a fresh start.
However, after moving in, Ebony and her children start to experience bizarre occurrences that raise the suspicions of Child Protective Services, leading to a battle not only for their family but for their very souls. The film takes inspiration from a 2014 article by the Indianapolis Star titled "The Exorcisms of Latoya Ammons," which documented a mother’s claims of being tormented by ominous figures and swarms of black flies alongside her three children.
During a recent interview on Sirius XM with his cast, Daniels discussed the need for prayer circles on set to ward off supernatural happenings. “Things happen, and I was not gonna let things happen on my set, and also I needed it for me,” he shared. Adding a layer of personal tragedy, he recounted that his sister, who has been a good luck charm in all his films, was diagnosed with lung cancer just two days after filming a scene with Glenn Close. Further, he revealed that his dog died on set, deepening the atmosphere of unease during production.
Mo'Nique, who portrays a social worker named Cynthia in the film, also shared her own alarming experience during filming. She recalled a particularly intense scene, saying, “Mr. Daniels had me doing a scene, okay? And we’re outside. It was just, the demon was supposed to be on top of the building, so they kept blowing this… I mean, at one point I’m like, ‘Lee, do we have to? because I can’t breathe.’” After filming, she felt unwell and added, “When I got finished, my thyroid was a big… I mean, it was just sick. Oh, baby. I was like, ‘What is this?’”
These unsettling occurrences on the set of "The Deliverance" are not unique in the world of horror filmmaking. Since the release of the classic "The Exorcist" in 1973, reports of eerie happenings have become almost a tradition on horror film sets. During the production of "The Exorcist," several cast members experienced unexpected deaths, including star Linda Blair's grandfather, and a fire that consumed the set led to a priest calling in to perform an exorcism.
While "The Deliverance" eagerly anticipates its audience's reaction, early reviews have suggested mixed feelings regarding its execution. Although the film boasts a talented cast and a gripping premise, it remains to be seen whether it will successfully deliver the chills that horror fans crave.
Audiences can now stream "The Deliverance" on Netflix and witness for themselves the eerie premise that emerged from both real-life inspiration and bizarre happenings during its production. Whether the film's supernatural themes resonate with viewers or not, it certainly has sparked discussions about the fine line between reality and fiction in the world of horror.
