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Horror thriller

Never Let Go (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Never Let Go (2024) movie poster

Never Let Go is a 2024 horror thriller directed by Alexandre Aja, starring Halle Berry as Momma, Anthony B. Jenkins and Percy Daggs IV. It runs 1 hour 41 minutes and earned $16.9 million worldwide on a $20 million budget. Critics gave it 55 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.4/10.

IMDb rating
5.4/10
worldwide gross
$16.9M
Echo Score
68
Metascore
55
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Never Let Go (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 41m (101 min)
Director
Alexandre Aja
Genres
Horror , Thriller
Original language
English
Budget
$20M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Never Let Go About?

The premise of Never Let Go without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

A mother and her twin sons find refuge in their home, their sanctuary threatened by a mysterious external force. They are bound together by ropes, a physical representation of their reliance on each other and a constant reminder to never let go. When tragedy unexpectedly occurs, their unbreakable bond is pushed to its limits, forcing them to confront unimaginable challenges.

Never Let Go Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • forest
  • tattoo
  • tattoo on back
  • twins
  • single mother
  • mother son relationship
  • brother brother relationship
  • overprotective mother
  • survival
  • calling 911
  • family relationships
  • children
+38 more
  • evil
  • dancing
  • female in a bathtub
  • killing an animal
  • suicide by throat cutting
  • chapter headings
  • voice over narration
  • taking a bath
  • dog
  • domino
  • whistling
  • twin brother
  • nightmare sequence
  • woman in a bathtub
  • eating a frog
  • tattoo on arm
  • broken ankle
  • crossbow
  • twin brothers
  • camera
  • suicide by slitting one's throat
  • sleepwalking
  • bathtub
  • photograph
  • bell tied to ankle
  • hunger
  • suicide
  • crow
  • hallucination
  • suicide by throat slitting
  • whistle
  • pet dog
  • rope
  • well
  • bell
  • vinyl record
  • squirrel
  • twin brother twin brother relationship
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Cast & crew

Never Let Go Cast & Characters

Halle Berry leads the cast as Momma, with Anthony B. Jenkins as Samuel and Percy Daggs IV as Nolan. Directed by Alexandre Aja; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Never Let Go

· 6 more
From the director

More from Alexandre Aja

More films directed by Alexandre Aja, best-rated first: Oxygen, Crawl, The Hills Have Eyes and Horns.

Full filmography
Ratings

Never Let Go Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Never Let Go 55 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 68/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in story & flow (50).

68 /100

Never Let Go Echo Score Breakdown

In its execution, Never Let Go offers compelling visual craft and standout performances but is weakened by an inconsistent narrative arc. In terms of Art & Craft, strong direction and cinematography establish an immersive world, and undercurrents of dread are supported by a polished production design. The Character & Emotion aspect benefits from nuanced portrayals, while the sensory elements maintain tension. However, the Story & Flow falters in its final act, leading to uneven engagement. This combination yields a film of ambition tempered by structural flaws.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of Art & Craft, Never Let Go delivers an immersive visual style anchored by deliberate framing and precise editing. The director’s use of underexposed color palettes and crisp camerawork creates a palpable forest environment, while the measured cut between scenes sustains mounting dread. The production design and sound editing cohere effectively, underscoring the film’s atmospheric tone with consistent technical polish.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    When it comes to Character & Emotion, the film is anchored by strong performances that convey protective intensity and nuanced fear. Halle Berry’s portrayal balances fierceness and vulnerability, and the young actors bring authentic tension through their emotional responses and on-screen chemistry. These portrayals foster empathy even as the narrative shifts. Overall, the character work remains a high point of the film.

  • Story & Flow 50

    In terms of Story & Flow, Never Let Go struggles with narrative coherence and pacing, particularly in its final act. Early twists create intrigue, but the resolution lacks clarity and thematic cohesion, leaving questions unanswered. Mid-film dips in logic undercut the initial momentum, and the uneven structure diminishes engagement. Overall, the plot’s inconsistency hinders the film’s overall impact.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    When it comes to Sensory Experience, the film sustains tension through a brooding score and layered sound design that amplify sudden scares and ambient unease. Visual motifs of isolation and the forest’s looming presence create an immersive backdrop, while jump scares are punctuated by dynamic audio cues. Although some tonal shifts feel abrupt, the overall sensory execution effectively upholds the film’s suspenseful atmosphere.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    In terms of Rewatch Factor, the film offers compelling performances and atmospheric tension that may reward a second viewing, especially to unpack its thematic nuances. However, the unresolved plot elements and muddled finale can limit lasting appeal. Overall, the uneven narrative conclusion makes rewatching less consistently satisfying despite strong moments.

Plot

Never Let Go Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Never Let Go from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Deep within the tranquil yet menacing Canadian wilderness, an unnamed woman, known as Momma and played by Halle Berry, resides in isolation with her twin sons, Samuel, portrayed by Anthony B. Jenkins, and Nolan, acted by Percy Daggs IV. Their existence is dictated by ropes that tether them to their home, creating an unnerving atmosphere. Momma has instilled a profound fear of a malevolent entity referred to as The Evil, claiming it has devastated their world and taken away their father and grandparents. Straying beyond the confines of their ropes, she warns, would spell disaster.

Full summary

The whole story of Never Let Go, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Never Let Go Box Office & Budget

Never Let Go grossed $16.9 million worldwide on a $20 million budget, 84% of what it cost. $10.3 million came from the US and Canada and $6.6 million (39%) from the rest of the world.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$16.9M

84% of its budget back

US & Canada
$10.3M
International
$6.6M
Budget
$20M
US & Canada 61% Rest of the world 39%
Videos

Never Let Go Trailers & Videos

6 videos: 3 trailers, 2 teasers and 1 clip.

All 6 videos
Never Let Go (2024) Official Trailer – Halle Berry
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Trailer New Trailer
  • Teaser Trailer Tease
  • Teaser Trailer Tomorrow!
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Never Let Go?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What prevents Momma's sons from venturing too far from the cabin?

Details

Never Let Go Also Known As

34 alternative titles, including “Mother Land” and “Motherland”.

Also known as
  • Mother Land
  • Motherland
  • Tether
  • Nikdy se nepouštěj!
  • Μην σε Αγγίξει το Κακό
  • هرگز رها مکن
  • אל תשחרר לעולם
  • 千万别松手
  • 别松开绳子
  • Asla Bırakma
  • Nunca te sueltes
  • לא לשחרר לעולם
+22 more
  • Затерянное место
  • Nie oddalaj się
  • Never Let Go: a un passo dal male
  • Nikdy se nepouštěj
  • Хижий ліс
  • ผูกเป็น หลุดตาย
  • Não Solte!
  • No te sueltes
  • 千萬別放手
  • Ne oldozz el!
  • Niekada nepaleisk
  • Never Let Go - Lass niemals los
  • Никад не пуштај
  • Никога не се пускай, არასოდეს გაუშვა
  • Nikad ne puštaj
  • Ne Jamais Lâcher
  • 네버 렛 고: 악의 끈
  • Amarrados
  • Đừng Buông Tay
  • Nu-mi da drumul!
  • Nekad nelaid vaļā
  • Nikoli ne izpusti

Seen Never Let Go?

FAQ

Never Let Go FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Never Let Go, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Never Let Go?

Never Let Go runs 1 hour 41 minutes (101 minutes).

When was Never Let Go released?

Never Let Go was released on September 20, 2024.

Who directed Never Let Go?

Never Let Go was directed by Alexandre Aja.

More films by Alexandre Aja

Who is in the cast of Never Let Go?

Never Let Go stars Halle Berry as Momma, Anthony B. Jenkins as Samuel and Percy Daggs IV as Nolan, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Never Let Go make at the box office?

Never Let Go grossed $16.9 million worldwide ($10.3 million domestic, $6.6 million international) on a budget of $20 million.

How is Never Let Go rated?

Never Let Go has 5.4/10 on IMDb, 55 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.

Does Never Let Go have a post-credit scene?

No. Never Let Go has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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