Something isn’t right in Lee Daniels’ new film The Deliverance. Upon moving to a new home, Ebony Jackson (Andra Day, who won a Golden Globe and received an Oscar nomination for her performance in Daniels’ most recent film, The People vs. Billie Holiday) finds herself fighting for her life against mysterious forces that could tear her family apart. It’s a battle of wills that will define Ebony’s life — and her faith. 

Daniels set out to put his own stamp on a classic exorcism story, infusing it with the spirituality of the Black church. “In recent years, we’ve gotten some brilliant horror movies like Get Out, but my goals were different,” Daniels told Netflix. “This is supposed to scare you into believing in a higher power, because it actually happened. It’s a story about demonic possession and the power of faith that’s grounded in reality. And that kind of dramatic storytelling has always interested me.”

Read on for more information about The Deliverance, now streaming on Netflix.

What is The Deliverance about?

Ebony Jackson, a struggling single mother fighting her personal demons, moves her family into a new home for a fresh start. But when strange occurrences inside the home raise the suspicions of Child Protective Services and threaten to tear the family apart, Ebony soon finds herself locked in a battle for her life and the souls of her children. Inspired by a true story, The Deliverance is directed by Academy Award nominee Lee Daniels (Precious) and stars Andra Day, Glenn Close, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Mo’Nique in a genre-defying take on darkness, possession, and finding a higher power. 

Below, Daniels explains his vision for the film. 

Who’s in the cast of The Deliverance?

The cast of The Deliverance includes: 

• Andra Day (The United States vs. Billie Holiday, Marshall)
• Glenn Close (Fatal Attraction, the upcoming Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery)
• Mo’Nique (Precious, The Parkers)
• Anthony B. Jenkins (Chicago Med, Florida Man)
• Miss Lawrence (Star, Bros)
• Demi Singleton (King Richard, Lawmen: Bass Reeves)
• Tasha Smith (For Better or Worse, Dolemite Is My Name)
• Omar Epps (House, Love & Basketball)
• Caleb McLaughlin (Stranger Things, Concrete Cowboy)
• Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (King Richard, Origin)

“Andra and I had just finished working on The United States vs. Billie Holiday, and I had never witnessed anyone like her before,” Daniels said of the decision to cast Day as Ebony. “I never witnessed that level of commitment before. We became one. She can do anything, and I look forward to working with her again and again. To me, she represents today’s woman.”

Day agrees. “I just love the way he works as a director, as a friend,” she told Netflix. “I would say it’s synergistic, but I think it’s more of a spiritual thing. We’re both believers, and I try to let the spirit guide me. And he does too. I think that’s why it works. It’s the spirit. It’s something he and I say all the time.”

In a special Q&A following an Aug. 16 screening of The Deliverance at the Paris Theater in New York City, Bradley Cooper and director Lee Daniels discussed the film’s incredible cast, Daniels’ journey to making a faith-based horror movie, and more.

Can I watch a trailer for The Deliverance?

Check it out at the top of this article!

When will The Deliverance be on Netflix?

The Deliverance is now streaming on Netflix.