The Deliverance (2024) is a supernatural horror thriller which takes plot from the different background of demonic possession and faith. The movie, based on the real-life events of Ammons haunting is directed by Lee Daniels and stars Andra Day, Rob Morgan, Caleb McLaughlin, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Glenn Close as the lead characters. The movie is centered on Ebony Jackson, a single mother who settles her family into a new house and they are immediately faced with horrors of supernatural kind. The movie is centered on Ebony Jackson (Andra Day), a single mother who settles her family into a new house and they are immediately faced with horrors of supernatural kind. Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor gets the role of Reverend Bernice James – a persistent and work-worn minister of deliverance who tries to rid Ebony’s family of evil spirits. people wants know that whether Aunjanue character, Bernice James, based on a real-life apostle.
Is Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor’s Bernice James a Real Apostle?
Rev. Bernice James is a fictional character but she is inspired by a real person: Reverend Michael Maginot can be assumed to exist due to the fact that the aforementioned text Reformed Confessions that he is associated with are historical and his profession as a reverend is also historically plausible. Maginot is a Roman Catholic priest who features in the real life Ammons case in which a family in Gary, Indiana, said they were being tormented by evil spirits in 2012.
The family witness some incidents like children were found levitating, there were footprints appeared from nowhere and also since there were some supernatural forces in the house. Maginot who was involved in the series of exorcisms of Latoya Ammons where he said he saw signs of the demonic. Before completing an official rite of exorcism, Maginot was given the go-ahead by his bishop; in the meantime he carried out a powerful blessing of the house and a minor rite on Ammons. In total, the demonic deliverance happened three significant times in the case of Ammons with the help of the Catholic Church .
The case indeed received much media coverage and Maginot became one of the key people of the case. He also featured in other documentaries and media programs to share on his ordeal. Although Maginot receive a lot of attention he remains a priest in the state of Indiana assisting people who come to him complaining of supposed paranormal activity.
Ellis-Taylor explained how, to get into the character of a deliverance minister, she trained with Apostle Louis Dickens, a real deliverance minister. From this experience she was able to appreciate the finer details of the deliverance ministry, and the strict belief system that goes with fighting the spirit forces of darkness. She also pointed out how Bernice James who despite being a character interacts more off stage, is actively fighting the evil in Ebony’s family.
As Ellis-Taylor said for herself, “I think you have to find the place of connection in it, the places that make sense to you personally.” She was very thankful to Lee Daniels, because, due to him, she was able to get closer to the character and find out what Bernice James was feeling and why.
Taylor also discussed her experiences of working for the horror films and she stated that it was good experience, though demanding. Thus, she had a lot of fun at this stage of the game, saying: “It was world-building, right? World-building. I love going to work and getting to do that.”
The Deliverance is truly an inspirational thriller that follows the religious journey, the horror and the fight for survival by Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor who portrayed Reverend Bernice James beautifully. The character portrayed in the film may be fictional but she is based on real life happenings of Reverend Michael Maginot making the movie more real as far as setting is concerned. That what is with Ellis-Taylor and the help of Lee Daniels the woman behind Bernice James in this movie adds to the complexities of the story.
