The Deliverance, a new Netflix horror film directed by Lee Daniels, brings to the screen the unsettling true story of Latoya Ammons and her family’s terrifying experiences in a haunted house in Gary, Indiana. The movie, which stars Andra Day as Ebony Jackson—a character inspired by Ammons—dramatizes the real-life events that the Ammons family endured after moving into their rented home in November 2011.
Shortly after settling in, Ammons, her mother, and her three children began experiencing a series of disturbing supernatural occurrences. These included inexplicable swarms of flies, mysterious footsteps, and the children exhibiting bizarre behaviors, such as levitating and speaking in unnatural voices. The terrifying events escalated, drawing the attention of local authorities, including the Gary Police Department and the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS), as well as medical professionals.
Despite skepticism from some, who suspected the incidents might be the result of mental health issues or child abuse, others—including social workers and a local priest—reported witnessing these strange events. Reverend Michael Maginot, a priest from a nearby parish, conducted a series of exorcisms on Ammons in 2012, which appeared to bring some relief to the family. After moving to a new home in Indianapolis, Ammons regained custody of her children, and the family has since lived without further supernatural disturbances.
The Deliverance takes creative liberties with the story, altering certain details for dramatic effect. For instance, the film changes the setting of the exorcism to the family’s home and introduces new characters and dynamics. Daniels approached the project as a “faith-based thriller,” aiming to explore themes of spirituality and the struggle between good and evil.
While the film’s portrayal of events may differ from reality, it captures the fear and turmoil that the Ammons family reportedly experienced. The house on Carolina Street, where these events took place, gained notoriety as the “Demon House” and was eventually demolished in 2016, after being featured in a documentary by Zak Bagans.
The Deliverance invites viewers to explore the dark and mysterious events that gripped the Ammons family, blending fact and fiction to create a haunting tale of faith, fear, and survival.
Be First to Comment