Lee Daniels Stirs The Pot With Remark On Glenn Close’s Character In ‘The Deliverance’
Lee Daniels‘ latest offering, Netflix drama The Deliverance, has caused much conversation online, as the horror flick features eight-time Oscar nominee Glenn Close as Alberta Jackson, a weave-sewing white woman who moves in with her a biracial daughter (played by Andra Day) to help care for her grandkids.
For Daniels, the character represented a certain segment of the community that often goes unrecognized in Black neighborhoods, taking to X/Twitter ahead of the film’s release to acknowledge Close and the character, rubbing many the wrong way in the process.
“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,” Daniels, 64, posted.
Observers took issue with the idea of a white women being considered a part of the “fabric” of the Black community, particularly if it’s only due to them exhibiting stereotypical behavior. Many also called out the filmmakers for altering the story upon which the screenplay was based, as the grandmother who inspired the character was a Black woman.
“Black people are obsessed with white women who act like stereotypical black women, but hate actual black women who act and sound like this. Lee Daniels isn’t exempt,” offered one observer on X, with another adding, “Truthfully we didn’t even need ‘an Alberta’ cause Latoya was black. FULLY black. So to throw ‘fabric of our community’ on it is truly asking to f**k the vibe up…. haven’t seen one damn white account talking about this movie, and here you go talmbout some ‘fabric of the community.’”
Many also simply denied knowing a white woman like Alberta, questioning Lee‘s assertion that they’re a staple in Black communities. Check out those reactions and more below.
“Inspired by a terrifying true story, a mother fights for her life, her faith, and the souls of her children after discovering their new home is haunted by a demonic presence,” reads a logline for the film. The Deliverance also stars Mo’Nique, Caleb McLaughlin, Tasha Smith, Omar Epps, Demi Singleton, and Miss Lawrence.