Common Sense Media Review
By Stefan Pape
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent folk horror with a feminist edge has graphic sex.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
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Where to Watch
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The Delivered
What's the Story?
THE DELIVERED (also known as Fanny Lye Deliver'd) is set on an isolated English farm in 1657, where Fanny (Maxine Peake) lives a quiet life with her oppressive husband John (Charles Dance) and their young son. One day their life is rocked with the arrival of young couple Thomas (Freddie Fox) and Rebecca (Tanya Reynolds) who claim to have been robbed and need a place to stay. But are these strangers really who they say they are?
Is It Any Good?
By setting this movie shortly after the English Civil War -- a period that saw many changes -- director Thomas Clay has the perfect backdrop for this quietly powerful film. The violence is graphic, as are some of the sex scenes -- the cast clearly didn't have a "no nudity" clause in their contracts -- but the messages about female empowerment and awakening are subtle, yet attention-grabbing.
Peake, as always, is sublime in the lead role. She brings such depth and nuance to the character, which is commendable as she doesn't have an awful lot of dialogue to express herself. Though she does narrate proceedings, bringing the brilliant screenplay to life, which was also written by Clay. If that wasn't enough, it should be noted the talented director composed the score too, which is haunting and, like the time period portrayed, oppressive. The Delivered is an unconventional film, though, and certainly not for everyone, especially younger audiences.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in The Delivered. Do the violent scenes help tell the story in an effective way? Is it shocking or thrilling? Why? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : January 15, 2021
- Cast : Maxine Peake , Charles Dance , Freddie Fox
- Director : Thomas Clay
- Studios : Vertigo Films , Quiver
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : History , Animals
- Character Strengths : Courage , Curiosity
- Run time : 112 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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