Halle Berry Faces Emotional Challenge in Never Let Go

Halle Berry has made a powerful return to the big screen in Alexandre Aja's latest survival horror film Never Let Go. In the movie, Berry portrays a mother living in isolation with her two sons, Samuel and Nolan, in a remote cabin in British Columbia. Their lives take a terrifying turn when an evil force threatens their world. The film features several intense moments, but one particular scene involving a family dog was especially challenging for Berry to film.

During a Q&A at Austin's Fantastic Fest, Berry revealed that shooting a heart-wrenching sequence where her character faces the decision to kill their dog, Koda, to feed her sons was emotionally difficult. The scene shows her son Nolan, played by Percy Daggs IV, saving Koda by cutting the rope that ties his mother to the cabin. Berry explained that this scene was not only hard for her but for the entire cast and crew, as many were animal lovers.

Director Alexandre Aja had his own small dog, Peanut, on set, which added to the emotional atmosphere. Berry shared that they had delayed filming this scene multiple times due to the emotional weight it carried, with everyone feeling hesitant to face it. However, when the time finally came, her co-stars, Daggs and Anthony B. Jenkins, who plays Samuel, struggled with an 'acting block' due to the difficult nature of the scene.

To help Daggs connect with the moment, Berry took an unexpected approach, going off-script to shake him out of his fear. Her impromptu move worked, as Daggs' genuine emotions poured out, allowing them to capture the raw intensity of the moment. Berry noted that it was a rare and special experience for an actor when a real emotional connection happens on set. She revealed that the powerful take they filmed that day was the one used in the final cut of the movie.

Never Let Go, directed by Alexandre Aja, is now playing in theaters, offering audiences a gripping and emotional horror experience.