Seize the Obsession: A Grim Tale of Obsession
In a twisted turn of events, screenwriters KC Coughlin and Ryan Grassby found inspiration for their chilling horror tale, Never Let Go, by pondering, "What if a family is holed up in their home due to an evil force stalking them, yet the fortress-like walls protect them?"
Hailing from the creative minds behind Stranger Things and produced by visionary horror director Alexandre Aja (The Hills Have Eyes, Crawl), this thrilling journey began as a spec script, marking the writers' debut into the horror genre. As theyreflect on their work, Coughlin and Grassby say, "We knew we had something special when we completed the script during the early days of COVID, when we were all stuck in our homes."
When producer Dan Cohen read their captivating 80-page script in spring 2020, he was immediately drawn to their unique ability to blend fear and intrigue into their writing. He notes, "They write like editors. When they decide to cut in or out of scenes, they find ways to create fear and intrigue in a way that I don't think a lot of other great writers do."
Producer Shawn Levy of 21 Laps mentions, "Beyond the great writing, we loved the terrifying nature of the ambiguity. Is The Evil real? Is Momma crazy? This story was written in vivid detail with a strong family bond that had a significant impact on us and transformed into an intense and gripping horror ride."
Upon reading the initial script, Aja recognized a fresh and evocative approach unlike anything he'd encountered before. He explains, "The script felt different from other scripts I'd read, evoking a unique kind of fear. What really drew me in was the singular approach to the modern story through the lens of a classic fairytale."
For Aja, who has made a name for himself in the horror genre for the past two decades, this project seemed like a chance to venture into new territory. He observed, "The story is rich in symbols, symbolism, and layers. It has layers of story, layers of psychology, layers of relationships. It's like a dark, terrifying fairytale."
Aja sees the fantastical backdrop of Never Let Go reflecting a very real fear - parenting and the complex relationship between children and parents. "The story is about the relationship you have with your parents, what you need to leave behind for your children, and the trauma, the generational trauma, that passes from one generation to the next," he adds.
Cohen, who had long sought an opportunity to work with Aja, was overjoyed when Aja expressed interest in the project. He enthuses, "I think Alex Aja is an incredible visual filmmaker, and so I felt, 'who better to bring this world to life?'" This started the ball rolling, and the rest, as they say, is cinematic history.
Coughlin and Grassby express their excitement, saying, "To have the producers of Arrival and Stranger Things sign on as the shepherds of this project, and find it a home at Lionsgate, then to get Alex Aja to direct and Halle Berry to bring Momma to life, has been a literal dream come true for us."
The film's producers at 21 Laps are committed to telling genre stories with a strong narrative backbone. Founder Levy explains, "We always talk about - if the aliens never landed, if the monster never showed up, etc. - we need to really care about these people and want to spend time with them in a straight drama. Never Let Go delivers on this, touching on themes spanning from the loss of innocence, generational trauma, to ideas that feel particularly timely in light of recent global events."
Never Let Go stars Halle Berry as June, known to her twin sons, Samuel (Anthony B. Jenkins) and Nolan (Percy Daggs IV), as Momma. After an unstoppable force known as "The Evil" takes control of the world, Momma has kept her family secure within a secluded cabin for the past ten years. They forage and hunt in the surrounding woods, feeding from the limited resources they find. As their food supply dwindles and the boys question the reality of "The Evil," a terrifying fight for survival ensues.
With a nod to the legendary Alexandre Aja, the mastermind director and producer, we eagerly anticipate the chilling narrative that awaits in Never Let Go. And here's a tidbit for fans - the enigmatic Halle Berry adds another layer to the story as she brings the character of "Momma" to life on screen. Get ready for an unmissable journey into the depths of fear, family, and the unknown!
Movies-and-TV productions like "Never Let Go" offer intriguing stories that blend entertainment and fear, falling under the genre of entertainment. The upcoming horror film, produced by visionary Alexandre Aja, is a testament to this, promising a terrifying ride that explores complex relationships and generational trauma within a family (Never Let Go).
