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Delia's Gone
By Monique Jones,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Taut thriller has strong performances; violence, swearing.
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Delia's Gone
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What's the Story?
DELIA'S GONE focuses on Louis (Stephan James), a man with an intellectual disability who lives with his older sister, Delia (Genelle Williams). When Delia mysteriously dies and Louis is framed for her death, he ends up being incarcerated for five years. Afterward, he's visited by Stacker (Travis Fimmel), who knows what happened to Delia. This sends Louis on a search for the truth, leading him to Stacker, a former sheriff (Marisa Tomei), and the other men who saw Delia last.
Is It Any Good?
Stephan James shows off his dramatic chops in this tight dramatic thriller. Louis lives with an intellectual disability and dearly loves his sister, who tries to take care of him despite her personal addiction struggles and predilection for crime. To be clear, James doesn't have an intellectual disability himself, and some might be bothered by a nondisabled actor "cripping up," as some disability activists call it. But he does plays Louis with sensitivity and seriousness, making sure to show his character's humanity, not reduce him to clichés and stereotypes.
The rest of the cast is also impressive. While Williams' role is brief, she portrays Delia as a layered character who clearly has her demons but, at her core, is a loving sister who's down on her luck. Tomei is also strong as the sheriff who has her own tie to Delia's tragic end. Fimmel, Billy McLellan, Graham Abbey, Kate Moye, and Paul Walter Hauser also turn in stellar performances. Overall, Delia's Gone is great if you love memorable performances and want to learn more about James' ascension to fame.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Delia's Gone. How does it compare to what you might see in an action movie?
How does Stephan James' portrayal of Louis help or harm the movement toward disability inclusion? Why is authentic representation in the media important?
How does Louis convey his love for his sister?
How is substance use/abuse approached in the film?
Movie Details
- In theaters: August 19, 2022
- On DVD or streaming: September 9, 2022
- Cast: Stephan James , Marisa Tomei , Travis Fimmel , Genelle Williams
- Director: Robert Brudeau
- Inclusion Information: Black actors, Female actors
- Studio: Vertical Entertainment
- Genre: Thriller
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters
- Run time: 90 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: some violent content and language
- Last updated: January 7, 2023
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