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Plot Summary


Ebony Jackson, a devoted mother of three, navigates a tumultuous life alongside her eldest son Nate, teenage daughter Shante, and youngest son Dre. Their family has just relocated to a new home—marking their third move in a short period. Joining them is Ebony’s elderly mother Alberta, who has been battling cancer and recently embraced Christianity. However, Alberta remains unaware that her insurance no longer covers her treatment, leaving Ebony to secretly shoulder the financial burden, which has led to mounting debt and collections.

Adding to the complexity of their situation are Ebony’s personal struggles; she carries a troubled past that includes a prison sentence and battles with alcohol abuse, which can turn her volatile, leading to violent outbursts towards her children. This has drawn the unwanted attention of Child Protective Services, placing them under the watchful eye of caseworker Cynthia, with whom the family has a strained relationship.

In a chilling twist, young Dre begins to communicate with an unseen entity he refers to as Tre, who alternately occupies the basement and a closet in their home. A disturbing series of events unfold when a dead cat is found in the basement, coinciding with Dre’s alarming episodes, where he often becomes catatonic after visiting the area. Meanwhile, Nate and Shante exhibit strange behaviors as well.

One night, after Ebony indulges in alcohol, she hears crashing noises coming from the children’s room and storms in, only to find the chaos unaddressed. Alberta, alerted by the children’s screams, discovers a significant hole in the wall and Ebony clutching a baseball bat, adamantly denying any wrongdoing. Tensions escalate when Cynthia returns, pressing Ebony about the children’s bruises; however, the family collectively refuses to acknowledge Ebony’s culpability.

The family soon observes a mysterious woman in a car parked outside, whom they suspect is linked to Cynthia. That same day, all three children experience unexplained psychiatric crises at school, requiring hospitalization, though doctors find no clear cause and send them home.

The woman eventually approaches Ebony, introducing herself as a Pentecostal pastor. She reveals a sinister past: twenty years ago, a mother within the house committed unspeakable acts against her family. The pastor warns Ebony that a demon is now haunting her family. Initially dismissive, Ebony returns home to a shock—Alberta’s crucifix is engulfed in flames, and she discovers that Dre has killed his grandmother. In the aftermath, the children are placed into protective custody while Ebony undergoes psychiatric evaluation, although Cynthia persuades authorities not to commit her.

As events unfold, Cynthia witnesses Dre performing unnatural feats, prompting her to seek the truth about the supernatural occurrences afflicting the family. The pastor, sensing the gravity of the situation, conducts a “sinner’s prayer” with Ebony, initiating a transformative journey into faith. United, they attempt to rescue Dre from the hospital, hoping to cleanse him through a deliverance prayer. Tragically, the demon utilizes Dre to murder the pastor, resulting in a fierce struggle against Ebony, who bravely wields holy anointing oil in their confrontation. Meanwhile, Ebony’s other children begin to exhibit terrifying signs of possession.

Near defeat, Ebony invokes Jesus’ name, becoming infused with the Holy Spirit, and begins to speak in tongues, ultimately forcing the demon from Dre. During this harrowing battle, her other children acquire stigmata, marking their own spiritual trials.

In the aftermath, both Ebony and Cynthia decide to collaborate in the pursuit of regaining full custody of the children. To symbolize their strengthened bond, Ebony presents Cynthia with a cross necklace, aiming to deepen her faith. Six months pass, and with newfound hope, Ebony is joyfully reunited with her children, steering them towards Philadelphia to announce her reconciliation with their father.

Timeline


Family Moves to a New Home

Ebony Jackson, along with her three children, moves into a new home, marking their third relocation in a short time. This move adds to the already tumultuous life they are navigating together.

Alberta's Health Struggles

Ebony’s elderly mother, Alberta, moves in with them, battling cancer while embracing Christianity. Unbeknownst to Alberta, her health insurance no longer covers her treatment, which heavily burdens Ebony financially.

Ebony's Personal Struggles

Ebony grapples with her troubled past, having served time in prison and struggled with alcohol abuse. These issues lead to volatile behavior, drawing the attention of Child Protective Services.

Dre's Unseen Entity

Young Dre begins to communicate with an unseen entity he calls Tre, leading to alarming episodes where he becomes catatonic. Tension rises as strange occurrences correlate with Dre's interactions.

Chaos in the Children's Room

After a night of drinking, Ebony rushes to her children's room upon hearing crashing noises. She finds a chaotic scene but adamantly denies any wrongdoing, leading to increased tensions within the family.

Cynthia's Visits

Child Protective Services caseworker, Cynthia, visits and questions Ebony about the children's bruises. The family collectively refuses to acknowledge any issues, adding more strain to their relationship with Cynthia.

Mysterious Woman in the Car

The family notices a mysterious woman parked outside their home, whom they suspect is connected to Cynthia. This escalates their paranoia and fear amidst their existing struggles.

Children's Crises at School

All three children experience unexplained psychiatric crises at school, leading to hospitalization. Despite medical evaluation, doctors find no clear cause, further deepening the family's distress.

School

The Pastor's Warning

A Pentecostal pastor approaches Ebony, revealing the house's dark history involving a mother who committed unspeakable acts. She warns Ebony that a demon now haunts their family, shaking Ebony's belief.

Alberta's Death

Upon returning home, Ebony discovers Alberta's crucifix is on fire and learns that Dre has killed his grandmother. This tragic event leads to the children being placed into protective custody.

Ebony's Psychiatric Evaluation

In the aftermath of Alberta's death, the children are taken away while Ebony undergoes a psychiatric evaluation. However, Cynthia advocates for her, preventing officials from committing her.

Cynthia Seeks Truth

Cynthia witnesses Dre exhibiting unnatural abilities, prompting her to investigate the supernatural occurrences troubling the family. Her concern grows as she witnesses the escalating dangers they face.

Transformation through Faith

The pastor leads Ebony in a 'sinner's prayer,' initiating her journey into faith. United in purpose, they attempt to rescue Dre from hospitalization, hoping to cleanse him through prayer.

Demon's Assault

The demon uses Dre to murder the pastor, resulting in a fierce struggle between the entity and Ebony. As the battle rages, the reality of her children's possession unveils darker truths.

Renewed Hope

Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Ebony successfully forces the demon from Dre, marking a turning point in their struggle. Six months later, Ebony is joyfully reunited with her children, filled with hope for the future.

Characters


Ebony Jackson

Ebony is a devoted mother facing immense challenges as she navigates financial strain and the weight of a troubled past. As she struggles to keep her family together, her journey reflects the tension between her desire for a better life and the demons of her previous choices. Her transformation towards faith and redemption becomes a poignant aspect of her character arc.

👩‍👧‍👦 Mother 💔 Struggle 🙏 Redemption

Nate

Nate, Ebony's eldest son, embodies the protective older sibling role while grappling with the unsettling atmosphere in their new home. His character navigates complicated emotions as he witnesses his mother's struggles and the mysterious occurrences surrounding their family. This pressure often leads him to exhibit strange behaviors, showcasing the impact of their dire circumstances on his well-being.

👦 Son 📉 Stress 💪 Resilience

Shante

Shante, Ebony's teenage daughter, is caught in the turmoil of family life while trying to cope with her changing world. As she deals with the supernatural elements and her mother's volatility, her character reflects the confusion and fear that can accompany adolescence in challenging situations. Her struggle for normalcy is a poignant element of the film.

👧 Daughter 🎢 Turmoil 😟 Fear

Alberta

Alberta is Ebony's elderly mother, who provides a complex layer to the family dynamics. Battling cancer and embracing a newfound faith, she represents both vulnerability and strength. Her unawareness of her insurance issues adds to the family's strain, and her character embodies the tension between hope and despair as events spiral out of control.

👵 Grandmother 💪 Strength 😢 Vulnerability

Cynthia Henry

Cynthia is the caseworker who becomes entangled in the family's struggles. Her relationship with Ebony is fraught, illustrating the complexities of social services in family crises. As she witnesses the supernatural events, her character evolves from an authority figure to an ally in the family's quest for healing and stability.

💼 Caseworker 👁️ Witness 🤝 Ally

Setting


Time period

The movie's events unfold in a contemporary setting, dealing with current issues such as mental health, family struggles, and the complexities of overcoming a troubled past. The themes of faith and redemption are also pertinent to modern discussions about spirituality and support systems.

Location

New Home, Basement, Philadelphia

The family's new home serves as a backdrop for their tumultuous journey, with the basement becoming a focal point for supernatural occurrences. Philadelphia becomes a symbol of hope as Ebony aims to reunite with her children and reconcile with their father. The house carries the weight of a sinister past, heightening the tension within the family's dynamics.

🏠 Home 👻 Paranormal 🌆 City

Themes


⚔️

Struggle

Struggle is a core theme in 'The Deliverance', as the characters face various adversities including financial hardship, mental health challenges, and supernatural threats. Ebony's journey reflects both her internal battles with addiction and her fight to protect and reunite her family. This theme resonates deeply with the audience, showcasing the resilience of the human spirit.

🕊️

Redemption

The quest for redemption is evident throughout the film, particularly in Ebony's journey from a troubled past to seeking salvation through faith. As she collaborates with Cynthia and confronts the dark forces threatening her family, the theme emphasizes the transformative power of belief and community support in overcoming personal demons.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Family

Family is central to the story, illustrating the bonds that can both be strengthened and strained through adversity. The evolving relationships within Ebony's family highlight themes of loyalty, protection, and forgiveness. This dynamic showcases the importance of resilience and unity when facing life-altering challenges.

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