AceShowbiz - Lee Daniels' new horror film, "The Deliverance", has stirred up significant controversy since its release. The film, which features an all-star cast including Glenn Close, Andra Day, and Mo'Nique, has been at the center of a heated debate partly triggered by Daniels' comments on social media.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Daniels praised Glenn Close's portrayal of Alberta, a character he described as part of the "fabric" of the Black community. He wrote, "Every Black person knows an Alberta. She's part of the fabric of our community, but we've never seen her on screen before. Thank you Glenn for bringing her magnificently to life."

This statement sparked backlash, with many social media users pointing out that the actual story on which the film is loosely based on a Black grandmother, not a white woman. One user criticized, "This n**** added a white woman to a true story that did not involve a white woman then said it's because white women like her are part of the FABRIC OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY."

Despite its intriguing real-life inspiration from the LaToya Ammons case, "The Deliverance" has not been well-received by critics. Njera Perkins of HuffPost called the movie a "mess" and described Close's portrayal of Alberta as contributing little to the film's narrative. The Telegraph's Tim Robey was equally unimpressed, labeling the film as "truly diabolical."

The mixed reviews suggest a divided audience. Some viewers found Close's performance compelling, with comments like "she is the best thing about the movie," while others deemed the film as one of the worst they have ever seen.

Close, however, expressed pride in her role, noting the challenges and unique experience of portraying a character like Alberta, a white woman embedded in a Black community.

Lee Daniels remains adamant about his choice, stating in an interview with Netflix that Close's character is a reflection of real individuals he has encountered in Black communities. "Every Black person knows a white woman like this, but not every white person knows a white woman like this," he explained, emphasizing the story's deeper message about faith and resilience.

The controversy surrounding "The Deliverance" highlights the complexities of storytelling and representation in film, especially when it involves blending truth with creative vision. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: Lee Daniels' first horror film has made a significant impact, for better or worse.