Viewers stunned by A-list actress in Netflix role

Yep, that’s an A-list, eight-time Oscar nominated actress – and her performance in this new Netflix movie has viewers stunned.

One truly shocking moment from director Lee Daniels’ new Netflix film The Deliverance has the internet abuzz – and even Daniels himself has weighed in on the strong viewer reaction.

Loosely based on a real-life case, the horror film tells the story of a dysfunctional family who fear their home has fallen under demonic possession.

Andra Day plays Ebony Jackson, an alcoholic mother who watches in horror as her family members appear to become possessed by the devil.

Among the victims are her own mother Alberta, played by Glenn Close in a near-unrecognisable role. Alberta is a devoutly religious woman, keeping up her glamorous image as she privately undergoes cancer treatment.

But it’s a scene later in the film, when Close’s character becomes possessed by the devil, that has had many viewers take to social media to express their disbelief.

Close as Alberta, pre-possession …

...and very much during.

The scene shows Close lying in bed, bald, beady-eyed and sharp-fanged, visibly possessed and fighting back as a black female pastor attempts an exorcism.

As the pastor splashes holy water on her, Close delivers an instant classic entry in the “demon fights exorcism with foul expletives” genre made famous with 1973’s The Exorcist.

She sniffs the air, then announces in a high, babyish voice: “I can smell your nappy p**sy.”

Several different clips of that moment have gone viral on social media – usually featuring whoever’s watching bursting into laughter as soon as eight-time Oscar nominee Close, 77, delivers the jaw-dropping line.

“Well … I didn’t have Glenn Close saying ‘I can smell your nappy p**sy’ on my 2024 bingo card, that’s for sure,” one viewer tweeted.

Director Lee Daniels and star Glenn Close. Picture: Presley Ann/Getty

“Lee Daniels you will pay for your crimes for having Glenn Close say this,” read another viral tweet.

Daniels himself responded to that tweet, writing simply: “Had to do it.”

Daniels had warned viewers to brace themselves for Close’s performance before The Deliverance even dropped on Netflix, promising: “Y’all are not ready for Glenn in this.”

While The Deliverance has been met with middling to poor reviews – it currently has a 32% rating on Rotten Tomatoes – many have singled out Close for praise, lauding the Hollywood veteran for her fearless performance.

The film is loosely based on the story of a woman in Gary, Indiana called Latoya Ammons, who claimed in 2011 that her house had been possessed by demons who terrorised her children until she and her family moved out of the home.

Originally published as Viewers stunned by A-list actress in Netflix role