Heretic (2024)
Heretic is the latest horror-thriller from filmmakers Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, the screenwriters of A Quiet Place, as well as directors of Haunt and the under-appreciated 65. This time they take on religion, with mostly good results.
Two young missionaries
from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sister Barnes (Sophie
Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East), are visiting houses on their list of
people who are interested in the Mormon religion. At an isolated country home, they visit with Mr. Reed (Hugh
Grant). The girls tell Reed that they are not allowed inside unless another a
woman is present, but Reed assures them that his wife is in the kitchen making
a pie. Shortly after entering his abode, the girls and Reed get into a
discussion on religion and faith, which becomes intense and then turns very
unsettling for the girls. Plus, Reed's wife never makes an appearance, and
things escalate into pure terror from there on.
Heretic is a
horror film with a brain, as Beck and Scott's screenplay debate belief and
disbelief of religion. The two also direct the hell out of this, with visually
creative shots to ratchet up the tension.
The second half of Heretic,
which becomes familiar slasher horror stuff, isn't quite as interesting as the
first half, but it is reasonably scary and stylistically done.
All three performances
are incredibly good. Grant, the once charmingly awkward leading man of many
'90s romantic comedies, is effectively creepy in Heretic. He is able to
take Reed from charming to sinister in the blink of an eye. Thatcher and East
come off as likable, intelligent young ladies, but both with a hint of
loneliness. Thanks to the writing and performances, Barnes and Paxton feel like
well-rounded characters. Plus, the scene where the girls both realize they have
fallen into Reed's deadly trap is pitch perfect acting.
If none of this has sold
you on seeing Heretic, just know that, at one point, Grant's nasty
character does a Jar Jar Binks impression.
