Warning: This post contains spoilers for The Deliverance.
“The Deliverance,” a gripping horror film now streaming on Netflix, opens with a title card stating it is “inspired by true events.” Directed by Lee Daniels, known for his work on “Precious” and “The Butler,” this chilling tale chronicles the harrowing experiences of the Jackson family in Pittsburgh as they grapple with a terrifying demonic possession that threatens to tear them apart.
The Deliverance Movie on Netflix: A Story Rooted in Reality
Released in select theaters on August 16 and arriving on Netflix on August 30, “The Deliverance” is a dramatization of the infamous Ammons haunting case that took place in Gary, Indiana, in 2011. The movie stars Andra Day as Ebony Jackson, a fictionalized version of Latoya Ammons, the real-life mother who claimed her family was tormented by supernatural forces. The film also features Glenn Close, Caleb McLaughlin, Demi Singleton, and Andre B. Jenkins, portraying members of the Jackson family as they endure unimaginable horrors in their rented home, which has since become known as the Demon House of Indiana.
The True Story Behind The Deliverance: The Ammons Haunting Case
The Deliverance movie on Netflix draws heavily from the alleged true story of the Ammons family. In 2014, the Indianapolis Star published a detailed investigation into the haunting, revealing how Latoya Ammons believed her three children, ages 7, 9, and 12 at the time, were possessed by demons residing in their new home on Carolina Street in Gary.
Ammons reported that the strange occurrences began in December 2011 when the family noticed swarms of black flies infiltrating their screened-in porch, despite the cold winter weather. As the months passed, the situation escalated, with claims of children levitating, being thrown across rooms, and speaking in unnatural voices. The case drew the attention of local authorities, including the Gary Police Department, Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS), and local hospitals, all of whom reported witnessing similar bizarre incidents.
However, not everyone believed the origin of the problem was paranormal. In April 2012, a report filed with DCS suggested that Ammons might be suffering from mental health issues, and her children were performing for their mother under her encouragement. DCS eventually took emergency custody of the children, and a clinical psychologist later concluded that the youngest child’s stories about possession were “bizarre, fragmented, and illogical.”
In June 2012, Reverend Michael Maginot performed three major exorcisms on Ammons at his church in Merrillville, Indiana, and blessed her new home in Indianapolis. By November 2012, after moving to a new house and following the DCS’s case plan, Ammons regained custody of her children.
How The Deliverance Movie on Netflix Changes the True Story
While The Deliverance movie on Netflix is inspired by the true story of the Ammons haunting, it takes significant creative liberties, especially regarding the exorcism. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, director Lee Daniels explained that he approached the film as a “faith-based thriller.” He wanted to present the story from the perspective of an African American woman, adding, “I’m scaring you to Jesus—for me, it could be scaring you to Allah, it could be scaring you to Buddha, it could be scaring you to whomever it is that you have faith in, but it’s scaring you to a faith.”
Daniels admitted to making several changes to the true story. He altered the character of Ebony’s mother to be white to explore the dynamics of a mixed-race family. He also changed the gender of the deliverance person from a man to a woman, highlighting the often-overlooked role of women in this type of spiritual work.
Furthermore, the movie shifts the setting of the religious rite from a church exorcism to a deliverance ceremony at the family’s home. Andra Day, who plays Ebony, explained in an interview with the Boston Herald that a deliverance is about more than just exorcising a demon. It’s a holistic process that aims to transform the person, helping them establish a relationship with God or Christ.
Conclusion
“The Deliverance” movie on Netflix is a terrifying and thought-provoking film that blurs the line between reality and fiction. While it takes liberties with the true story of the Ammons haunting, it remains a powerful exploration of faith, fear, and the supernatural. Whether you’re a horror fan or intrigued by true stories, “The Deliverance” is a must-watch film that will keep you on the edge of your seat.