Rating: 4/5
Synopsis:
Hugh Grant in a horror movie? A slick and thoughtful story focusing on religion? Count me in! “Heretic” follows two young Mormon missionaries who are visiting those interested in learning about the church. They encounter Mr. Reed, a polite and educated man who has requested a visit. When the young women arrive at his home, they are drawn into some unusual conversations surrounding their faith. What follows is an intense game of cat and mouse as Mr. Reed continuously tests the faith of these young missionaries. As the situation grows increasingly uncomfortable, the women must figure a way out of Mr. Reed’s home before he can reveal his true intentions.
Positives:
The main question audiences will have surrounds Hugh Grant’s performance. I can confidently say it is one of the strongest aspects of the film. He harnesses the charm and wit that was present in many of his rom coms over the years. He adds that to a mysterious sense of dread and wicked indulgence of evil in his portrayal of Mr. Reed. The character is not only terrifying but also incredibly well spoken. He is originally inviting and charming, able to disarm the young women who believe his intentions are pure. But he eventually unfolds into an obsessive madman, with his determination and conviction driving him forward. His intense presence is matched by the two different personalities of Sisters Barnes and Paxton. Where Barnes shelters her feelings of uncertainty in the faith, she has a confident ability to challenge Mr. Reed and counter the game he is playing. Meanwhile, Sister Paxton is more sure in her faith but less willing to challenge Mr. Reeds’ game in order to survive. Watching this complex dynamic between the three characters is fascinating to see. Credit to the strong writing for making these characters so interesting and propelling the story to unexpected places.
The film is also well paced for a horror movie bordering on two hours long. While I believe the first half is the stronger half, the plot continuously builds and builds to a clash of ideals that makes the earlier conversations about religion and faith even more interesting. The story takes a few twists and turns that are very surprising, making audiences contemplate if the earlier events were actually true or simply a ploy in Mr. Reeds’ plan. The small and claustrophobic setting of the film elevates the tension in a cast largely between the three characters. We are forced to endure this reckoning with the two missionaries. I am very impressed that the story was able to keep us guessing while making sure the characters and their stories were at the center. Horror is getting better and better in this department. More of this please!
Negatives:
“Heretic” was so close to being a home run. While the writing is some of the strongest of the year and the story is endlessly engaging, the third act of the film loses some steam. Where the first half explores new ideas and themes, the final portion seems to retread into more familiar territory. I wish the story had a conclusion that was as profound as the ideas proposed in the beginning. By the end, a more powerful conclusion to Mr. Reeds’ philosophy would have been more satisfying. I feel like the ending is a bit bleak and mean spirited on his part. Not to say that this couldn’t work for a film of this nature, but for a story this smart I expected something more profound.
Conclusion:
Hugh Grant spreads his wings in the wonderfully clever “Heretic”! The film manages to engage in some thoughtful discussions regarding religion throughout history. The performances are great and the writing is top notch, tightening its grip on the audience as the plot moves forward. I wish the conclusion was as strong as the rest of the story because this might have been the best horror film of the year otherwise. Definitely give this one a try as it isn’t scary enough to deter mainstream audiences, but is scary enough to satisfy fans of the genre.
