The renowned "adrenaline aficionado" confesses her enduring love for psychological thrillers, reminiscing, "As a child, 'The Shining' captivated me, offering a window into a realm beyond my imagination." Halle Berry's penchant for such tales remains unwavering.
The Oscar-winning actress made a scintillating appearance in Las Vegas during Lionsgate's studio showcase, eager to promote their latest offering, Alexandre Aja's 'Never Let Go'. This film marks Berry's triumphant return to a genre she explored decades ago in her earlier works like 'Gothika', but this time, the challenges were unlike any she had faced before.
Set to premiere on September 27, 'Never Let Go' depicts a mother and her twin sons fighting to defend themselves against an insidious evil that stalks their home. Their only defense is a constant bond—a connection of ropes that binds them together, a symbol of their unbreakable unity. Yet, one of the boys begins to question the reality of this evil, sparking a harrowing battle for survival. The film stars Anthony B. Jenkins, Percy Daggs, Matthew Kevin Anderson, Christin Park, and Stephanie Lavigne alongside Berry.
Aja's masterful direction, coupled with a taut script by Kevin Coughlin and Ryan Grassby, brings this story to life. He also produced the film alongside Dan Cohen, Dan Levine, and Shawn Levy, while Berry, Dan Clarke, Connor DiGregorio, Holly Jeter, Emily Morris, and Christopher Woodrow served as executive producers.
The trailer, unveiled today, immerses viewers in a post-apocalyptic world where Berry and her twin sons lead a gritty, off-the-grid life in a secluded woodland home. A voiceover hints at the plot's intricacies, with one of the boys uttering, "Nothing could hurt them as long as they stay connected to their home." At a pivotal moment, Berry admonishes, "I know this life has been hard on you boys since the world ended. But the evil out there is cunning. One touch without a rope could be fatal. Never let go." She repeats her warning, emphasizing, "That rope is your lifeline. Never let go. Say it."
Onstage with Lionsgate motion picture group chair Adam Fogelson, Berry revealed that she took on the role because she is a true "adrenaline addict" who has always been drawn to such stories. "As a child, 'The Shining' was a favorite. It gave me a glimpse into a world I had never encountered before," she confessed. The film's atmosphere echoed other post-apocalyptic tales like 'Bird Box' and 'A Quiet Place', adding to its immersive quality.
Berry further divulged, "These boys have been confined to the house they were born in for a decade. From the moment I arrived on set, I was enveloped in a sinister ambiance. It was a challenge to bring authenticity to their existence—what does motherhood look like in a remote woodland home, with no one in sight?" She also had to learn survival skills, recounting, "There was no electricity, no lights. My character had to skin squirrels, and they ate bugs and frogs—raw frogs—in the forest. It was a rigorous experience, requiring a bit of 'Method acting'. I actually had to skin a squirrel. These challenges pushed me to create a realistic portrayal of a world that felt so alien."
Berry also credited her personal experiences as a mother of two. "It's everything," she said, emphasizing the importance of using real-life experiences to enrich her performances. "Since becoming a mother 16 years ago, playing these kinds of roles has ignited a fire within me," she confessed, adding a heartfelt acknowledgment of her Oscar win for 'Monster's Ball', another collaboration with Lionsgate. "With this film, it reminded me of how I would safeguard my children with every ounce of my strength. We often say, 'I would take a bullet for my kids.' But would you take a knife for them?" 'Never Let Go' will hit theaters on September 27, promising an edge-of-your-seat thriller that will leave audiences breathless.
