The last time V caught up with director Lee Daniels, the year was 2021, and singer-turned-Academy Award-nominated actress Andra Day was gracing the cover of our V128 Spring Preview 2021 issue, with Daniels and Day going in conversation to discuss how their first project The United States vs. Billie Holiday all started. Fast forward just a few years later, the two are back with a new film titled The Deliverance, a horror film that’ll spook us out of our late summer blues into the fall season with force.

With Day starring opposite Glenn Close, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Caleb McLaughlin, Demi Singleton, and Mo’Nique, the film centers around the true story of the Ammons haunting case, which took place in Gary, Indiana back in 2011 as Latoya Ammons, her mother, Rosa Campbell, and her three children fell victim to paranormal activity occurring in their home, now subtly titled the “Demon House”.

To learn more about the film, V reunited with Daniels to discuss his latest body of work, with V’s Editor-in-Chief Stephen Gan asking just how the “horror-not-horror” film came to be.

V Magazine: What “possessed “ you to do a horror film?

Lee Daniels: It’s not a horror film, it’s a faith-based thriller. I didn’t want to do it at first because I felt that we were leaning into the horror of it all but then I realized that we’re in dark times and it’s about finding your higher power. 

V: What do you think Lee Daniels fans out there may be surprised to see?

LD: Glenn Close’s performance and my reunion with Mo’Nique. 

V: What makes you most excited about the world seeing this film? 

LD: We’ve never seen an African-American horror film like this. I like to tell stories that haven’t been told before and I don’t think we’ve ever seen this type of story before. 

V: What do you think is most “Lee Daniels” about The Deliverance and what isn’t? 

LD: The most “Lee Daniels” about this film is Glenn Close’s classic line as the demon—which I’m not going to say because you gotta see the movie. And the most not “Lee Daniels”… there isn’t anything not “Lee Daniels.” I wouldn’t put it out if everything weren’t me to a T. 

The Deliverance hits select theaters this weekend, with a wider release on Netflix kicking off on August 30th.