Netflix’s latest supernatural horror film, The Deliverance, premiered on August 30, 2024. The film is loosely based on the true story of Latoya Ammons' family in Gary, Indiana. It depicts their experiences with demonic activities and possession, including children crawling on ceilings, levitating, and speaking in unnatural voices.
The Deliverance keeps viewers on edge, though it has a low 32% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite this, it has topped Netflix charts in 36 countries.
According to Forbes, the director, Lee Daniels, upon hearing of the story of Latoya Ammons, admitted that the story,
“Sat with him forever.”
The director also discussed why the film is only partially rooted in the real-life story of Ammons. He changed many plot points and stated that,
“I really wanted to separate as much as I could so I could make it my own story.”
What is the real life story of Latoya Ammons?
In late 2011, Latoya Ammons and her family moved to a new rental house in Indiana. Upon moving in, the family started experiencing supernatural and demonic occurrences.
Rosa Campbell, Latoya’s mother, reported hearing footsteps and seeing a shadowy figure in the house. She also found large wet boot prints on the floor. The family stated that the children were tormented by the spirits, often levitating, speaking in deep voices, and getting injured by flying objects and being thrown from the bathroom.
The family tried all local church remedies but only found temporary relief after a clairvoyant’s advice. Unfortunately, this relief lasted just three days before the situation worsened.
The Ammons family's situation worsened with the children showing signs of possession, such as bulging eyes and deepened voices. In 2012, they sought help from their doctor, Dr. Geoffrey Onyeukwu.
While the doctor in his medical notes referred to what the family was experiencing as “delusional,” “hallucinations,” and “delusions of ghosts in the home,” Campbell stated that her grandson cursed Onyeukwu in an unnaturally deep, ghostly voice. Hospital staff reported that Campbell’s youngest grandson was thrown into a wall without anyone touching him.
Skeptical of the supernatural events, the Indiana Department of Child Services suspected that Latoya, due to a mental illness, was abusing the children. However, after a thorough investigation, the children were found to be healthy, and their mother was declared free of any mental illness.
In early 2012, the hospital reached out to Rev. Michael Maginot, who was at the time a priest at St. Stephen Martyr Parish. The priest was asked to conduct an exorcism on one of the Ammons’ children, and he ended up conducting three exorcisms at his church. He also blessed the family's new home in Indianapolis.
After the exorcisms, the family found peace after moving. An investigator later reported seeing a white, cloudy face in photos and hearing strange voices in recordings from the house.
Who are the cast members of The Deliverance ?
Directed by Academy Award nominee Lee Daniels, The Deliverance reunites him with Andra Day and Mo’Nique, and features Glenn Close, Anthony B. Jenkins, Miss Lawrence, Demi Singleton, and Tasha Smith.
The Deliverance is available to stream and download on Netflix.
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