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A Saw-like structure, some nuanced discussions about religion, and some great performances await you in Heretic. Written and directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods (65) Heretic stars Hugh Grant (Four Weddings and a Funeral) as a man who invites two missionaries to his home, only for them to find out that he’s on a sinister mission of his own. The film also stars Sophie Thatcher (Yellowjackets) and Chloe East (The Fabelmans) as Sister Barnes and Sister Paxton, the two missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The film begins by introducing us to a day in the life of the women, as they awkwardly spread the word and get harassed during their travels. Heretic wastes no time sending the girls to Mr. Reed’s (Grant) house, but the conversations they have beforehand give a lot away about their respective characters. Once at the house, it’s a creepy drawn-out conversation until they realize that there is no way out for them.
The Story of Heretic
Heretic‘s premise is fairly basic, with the two women trapped by the older man. Reed’s religious angle adds some much-needed depth that changes the film from some generic Saw sequel to a more interesting and gripping picture. It’s not quite profound, but the first half of the film will undoubtedly force you to think about religion and what these characters have to say about it. It isn’t even focused on a single religion either, allowing for some broad discussion, and I’d imagine that the film would hold up for people of different faiths. Most of the premise is targeting belief as a concept, so even atheists should get a kick out of it.
Unfortunately, Heretic doesn’t quite stick to the landing. All the discussion leads to a point, and that point is fumbled and dropped on the floor. Now, floor cake is still cake, so Heretic’s story is still pretty good. There are just some flaws in the last thirty minutes that, if they were smoothed out, could have made for one of the best movies of the year. It helps that the film has a few twists that actually work, and they keep the story moving.
The dialogue is also top-notch. Not only is Hugh Grant ranting about religion but there are also a bunch of literary and pop culture references that I didn’t expect, including Grant doing a Jar Jar Binks impression. Most of these moments add levity, while some are used as apt comparisons to help the non-theologians in the audience grasp some of the concepts, but in a way that isn’t talking down to those same audience members. There are a few comedic one-liners that had me howling as well.
God-tier Performances?
A two-hour experience watching an actor drone on and on about religion shouldn’t be a good time, but Hugh Grant elevates this film in every way. In a lesser performer’s hands, Heretic wouldn’t be half as good as it is. He has an ungodly amount of dialogue, and his delivery never misfires. Grant manages to be charming and unsettlingly creepy, so you’re never sure when he’s telling the truth, which adds another layer of intrigue to the film. The cinematography also enhances his performance, filming Grant at awkward angles and having his face hug the frame to make him creepier.
Thankfully, Thatcher and East are good as well. Both of them are terrified for most of the movie, and although I started out not liking East’s character, the tenacity in her performance won me over in the end. Both actors play their characters with a degree of uncertainty, and you’re also never quite sure where their faith lies. Thatcher plays Barnes as more standoffish, seasoned, and alert, while East plays Paxton as naive. Both play their roles fairly well, and they are nuanced enough that you never get bored of their performances.
While the film can get a little frightening, Heretic is much more of a thriller than a horror film. With that being said, there are a couple of jumpscares that genuinely caught me off guard. They also help break up those lengthy sections of dialogue with a cathartic fright, which is as effective as the humor for the same reason. Also, for a film that spends most of its runtime in a house, Heretic is surprisingly well-lit, only getting quite dark when you expect it to.
Revelations
The use of music in the film is interesting, with most of Chris Bacon’s (Men in Black: International) score blending in with the film well. The narrative uses Radiohead’s “Creep”, and “The Air That I Breathe” by The Hollies, with the latter played repeatedly throughout the film. Moreso than the score, the song gives the film a creepy undertone.
Even though some of the air leaves the film by the end, Heretic is a competent thriller with great performances and a good sense of style. Hugh Grant and the dialogue he performs shine, and you should find yourself glued to the screen for most of its well-paced 111-minute runtime. It would have been better if Heretic’s ending didn’t peter out the way that it does, but that doesn’t stop it from being a great film, and an absolute blast to watch. If you’re a fan of creepy thrillers, you should absolutely watch this one in a theater.
Heretic is in theaters now.
Heretic Review
Heretic takes nearly two hours of – what should be boring – religious ranting and turns it into an immensely gripping thriller.
Pros
- Great performances, with Grant standing out.
- Terrific dialogue that is not only clever but funny as well.
- Great cinematography that amps up the creepiness, while keeping everything lit.
Cons
- The ending stumbles, squandering a good premise.
