Halle Berry Opens up About Filming Emotional Dog Scene in ‘Never Let Go’

Halle Berry returns to the big screen in Alexandre Aja’s survival horror film ‘Never Let Go’, playing a mother battling an evil force while living in a remote cabin with her two sons, Samuel and Nolan. 

The movie is filled with intense moments, but Berry recently revealed that filming an emotional scene involving a dog was especially difficult for her. In a key scene, Berry’s character, Momma, is faced with a devastating choice after a harsh winter leaves the family without food. She tells her sons that they must kill their dog, Koda, for survival. 

Image Courtesy: Movieweb

This decision enrages Nolan, who ultimately saves Koda by cutting the rope that ties his mother to the cabin. Berry shared that the scene was repeatedly delayed because the cast and crew were aware of how emotionally challenging it would be. 

When the time came to shoot, her young co-stars, Percy Daggs IV and Anthony B. Jenkins struggled with an “acting block,” particularly due to the emotional weight of the scene. Reflecting on the moment, Berry explained, “I think it was because he didn’t want to face the dog thing. It was hard.” 

To help her co-stars, Berry improvised off-script to shake them out of their fear and hesitation, allowing them to push through the difficult scene. During a Q&A following a screening of the film, Berry admitted that the dog scene was especially tough, stating, “The dog scene was hard for me. It was hard for all of us.” 

Her emotional connection to the moment brought extra depth to the performance, making it a standout in the film.

-Sushmita Sarkar