Heretic Is the New A24 Hit That Scored 92% on RT, but Is It Really Worth Watching?
Hugh Grant is surprisingly too good as a villain.
Heretic is a joint project of Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, the screenwriters of A Quiet Place, as well as the authors of several other interesting films: the slasher Haunt and the sci-fi action 65. Their new movie is the closest in concept to A Quiet Place.
What Is Heretic About?
Barnes and Paxton are Mormon missionaries. They walk around the area looking for people to listen to their talks and maybe join the church.
When they enter the home of the charming old man, Mr. Reed, the girls are pleasantly surprised by his knowledge of church matters and happily support the conversation about religion. Gradually, however, Mr. Reed's speech becomes more caustic, and the girls notice more and more unpleasant oddities in his behavior.
Soon the man explains to the girls that they are free to leave at any time, but the way out is through a test that could undermine all the foundations of their faith.
Heretic's Main Asset Is Hugh Grant's Brilliant Acting
Heretic is a tense thriller that relies on a well-written script and excellent acting to create suspense. The movie is built on the subtle but irreversible involvement of two girls in dangerous games with a clever and cautious madman who turns the faith of the faithful against them. So the main bet here is on characters, dialog and style.
The most important trump card Beck and Woods have in their hands is Hugh Grant, who brilliantly plays an impeccably polite and frighteningly insightful skeptic who skillfully persuades devoted missionaries to question their own values and even their very perception of reality.
Grant, who had only one previous horror film credit, could easily have become a genre star. In his performance, Mr. Reed is a sophisticated manipulator, carefully pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable in dialogue, rarely threatening, but always asking uncomfortable questions at the right time. Without Hugh Grant's cynical wit, the movie would definitely lose most of its atmosphere.
Heretic Has an Interesting and Exciting Dynamic Between the Characters
The charismatic villain is the most striking, but not the only interesting character in Heretic. Mr. Reed's confidence and knowledge contrast well with the confusion and growing panic of the missionary girls.
Paxton and Barnes are at first confused, then discouraged, and finally frightened, but at the crucial moment, their fear reveals a determination to stand up for their beliefs. In this sense, the dynamic between the slightly naive Paxton and the cold-blooded Barnes is no less important than their relationship with the manipulative Reed.
If you like minimalist psychological thrillers that deftly tackle complex issues, then Heretic is definitely worth your attention.
And if you want to see Hugh Grant cast a discursive net over a couple of deceptively fragile girls, you are guaranteed an intriguing, stylish and dynamic spectacle.