As a woman who has spent a considerable part of her life navigating through the labyrinth of societal expectations, I found myself deeply engrossed in Halle Berry’s latest horror venture, Never Let Go. However, there was one aspect that gnawed at me like a relentless zombie – the character Momma, who is only ever referred to as such.
In the thriller “Never Let Go,” Halle Berry returns to the horror genre, a move that’s highly anticipated. However, there’s a significant aspect of her character, “Momma,” that I find challenging:
Regardless of when in your life you’ve identified as a woman, there’s one question you’ve likely encountered: “When will you have children?” This is an aspect of being a woman that’s often presumed, irrespective of individual feelings on the subject.
It’s worth stressing at this point that there’s no bad decision when it comes to having children, only one that works for the individual. Enter new horror movie Never Let Go, which totally gets this. Here, motherhood is the crux of trying to keep zombies out of a cabin in the woods.
We love moms and their importance… and in this case, Halle Berry really makes it work for her.
In the movie, Berry’s character is known as ‘Momma’, which is her official name as credited. If you pay close attention during the film’s initial part, you’ll discover that Momma does indeed have a personal name – June. However, this name is briefly mentioned and her past life remains unexplored throughout the movie.
To some extent, this idea is logical. The plot of “Never Let Go” revolves around a mother who strongly believes there’s a sinister presence in the woods near her home. As a result, she permits her children to play outside only when she’s connected by a rope. Her role as a mother essentially defines her entirely.
Initially, when I saw the latest film, it was the absence of Momma’s name that caught my attention more than any scene involving a fierce bear attack, a sorrowful dog incident, or an ancient zombie woman menacingly approaching Berry. It left me wondering who this woman is beyond her role as a mother and about the entire story of her life separate from her children. And by the way, that last part was quite amusing.
Absolutely, safeguarding her children is a top priority, but women are incredibly multifaceted beyond being mothers. During my conversation with Berry regarding the movie, this was the query that stood out to me the most… and I didn’t receive the response I had anticipated.
Initially, you’re familiar with her as ‘Momma,’ but there is a personal side to her too. This side becomes apparent when we watch the movie, where her given name is revealed.
“Primarily, we know her by her title. How do you think that affects how we see her?”
Berry responds, “She’s more like their mom,” indicating that her primary identity is that of a mother to those boys. I’m a bit unsure about your interpretation.
Afterward, as I sat in quiet embarrassment, I contemplated Berry’s words. Could it be that she didn’t realize the potential issue here? Might other women not have seen it either? It seems to me that this could highlight a larger problem, one we’re unwittingly allowing films to perpetuate.
It’s 2024 – why do female characters still not have names?
The problem isn’t just that Berry is portraying a mother character, it’s that her character lacks a name and individuality beyond that role. Despite the fact that the mysterious strangers living in the woods for an extended period imply that Momma had a rich life outside of the cabin, we never get to discover what exactly that entailed.
By removing a woman’s name, you essentially erase her identity or presence. It seems that Kevin Coughlin and Ryan Grassby deliberately chose to do this, emphasizing a notion we can already perceive from the context. Yes, it is clear that the children have their names, but the use of “Momma” instead of a personal name underscores a terror unique in its own right.
Examining entertainment’s extensive past reveals numerous characters popularly known as “Mom.” From the 1958 series Peter Gunn to contemporary independent films like Kindling starring Tara Fitzgerald, and even pop culture references such as Rachel Hunter in ‘Stacy’s Mom,’ these examples suggest a recurring pattern – women are often stereotyped within their own narratives.
To be clear, we’ve grown so accustomed to this phenomenon that we often fail to recognize its potential drawbacks, with Berry serving as a single illustration. It’s important to note that I’m not criticizing her in any way – quite the contrary, her acting here is simply brilliant.
Indeed, for me as a woman, being a mom holds immense significance. Yet, I believe it’s crucial not to generalize or pigeonhole all individuals into the same mold. Each of us has our unique paths and roles to play in this world.
Through its focus on motherhood, Never Let Go perpetuates the same longstanding issue: it portrays women as mothers exclusively. In this horror film, Momma’s character is reduced to just being a mother, denying us, and her, the opportunity to explore her individuality and personal history.
Maybe it’s overly complex for a horror tale inspired by fairy tales, which are primarily designed to provide some quick scares. However, delving into these themes might unintentionally be perceived as pushing a more progressive narrative, and I wouldn’t mind being labeled as such.
In a realm dominated by men, it’s often the case that being a woman can feel like a chilling nightmare… So, let’s avoid adding unnecessary obstacles to our path and stand tall as we are, without compromising who we truly are.
While Never Let Go comes to cinemas from September 20 in the US and September 27 in the UK.
Additionally, feel free to explore top-rated serial killer documentaries, chilling horror films on Amazon Prime, as well as the latest Neon horror productions while you’re waiting. Also, discover exciting movies hitting the streams this month.
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2024-09-25 18:18