Starting November 28, the theological thriller/horror film «Heretic» featuring Hugh Grant in the leading role began showing in cinemas. The new release from A24 studio has already received a positive response from Western critics. In the review below, we will explore how justified such a verdict appears.
Genre thriller, horror
Directors Scott Beck, Bryan Woods
Cast Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, Chloe East, Topher Grace, Elle Young
Premiere cinemas
Release Year 2024
Website IMDb, official site
Two young Mormon missionaries — Sisters Barnes and Paxton — innocently chat about condoms and porn, unaware that this day will turn into a real hell for them. Trouble starts when the girls visit an at first glance, pleasant and welcoming elderly man, Mr. Reid. He appears quite amiable and intellectual, whose wife bakes a fragrant blueberry pie, and he himself delves with great interest into a conversation about religion and faith.
However, soon the girls begin to suspect that something is not right, as it’s doubtful, there is even a generous hostess and especially a tasty pie in the house. When it becomes clear that the exit from the building is blocked, and Mr. Reid no longer emits friendliness and clearly intends something sinister, the young heroines will have to accept the rules of the game of the ominous puppet master and undergo his cruel “test of faith.”
The creative duo of directors and screenwriters Scott Beck/Bryan Woods started their journey in feature films with unremarkable cheap slashers («Nightlight», «Haunt»). Then they managed to work on the script for John Krasinski’s «A Quiet Place». Later, they produced a primitive sci-fi action «65», in which Kylo Ren was placed in a gloomy version of «Jurassic Park». In the context of their career achievements, «Heretic» became a real breakthrough for the tandem. But is everything really smooth in their new film?
In the first half, the film offers purely dialogic passions, and the theological dialogue gradually evolves into a discussion. Later — into an interesting lecture. And finally — into a real antagonism. At this stage, again — almost entirely dialogic, «Heretic» looks most tense and exciting, as here the film is capable of intriguing, keeping the viewer on the hook, as does the cunning intellectual Mr. Reid with his victims.
Plus, at this point, the entire attention is captivated by the mysterious and unusually ominous Hugh Grant. It is absolutely impossible to guess what his “religion debunker” actually plans and what to expect from him next. It’s not even about some revelations pouring from the thin lips of the English actor, but about observing with what enthusiasm he compares world religions to different versions of Monopoly and music hits, even dragging «Star Wars» into it — a separate kind of pleasure.
However, when the narrative passes the halfway point, and the main setting becomes endless dark basements, the story starts to seem less thrilling and annoyingly stalls.
Firstly, there’s a suppressed desire to figure out what the mad old man actually aims to achieve with his actions. Secondly, the narrative now leans more towards conventional «mind games», when Grant’s character could still barely be called a pure villain, and moves towards a common maniac thriller/horror with pretensions. Moreover, with no less trite genre tropes (the scene with matches is a bright confirmation). Thirdly, the basement adventures clearly drag on too long, as the pace significantly drops and the suspense evaporates, making the final act somewhat turn into torture porn for the viewer.
An important point is also that in the second part, the main attention shifts from Grant’s character to the victim-prisoners, which also does not particularly benefit the story. After all, Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East have significantly less room to show themselves on screen. Essentially, they are meant to play frightened girls, which we’ve already seen plenty of, even in the likes of «Saw», while Grant’s charm beautifully and appropriately contrasts with the evil nature of the manipulator he portrays.
Overall, «Heretic» can be conditionally divided into two parts, one of which sets the tone for a promising film and intrigues significantly, while the other tries to work mostly as a genre product, however, fails to fulfill its main purpose — to induce tension and fear, even in conditions of complete claustrophobia and darkness. As a result, the film drowns under the pressure of its ambitions. Yet, the inspired performance of the main star of this show not only captivates but also somewhat restores faith in the notion that cinema is still worth attention.