Heretic Directors Say Tons of A-Listers Wanted Hugh Grant’s Role

Heretic Directors Say Tons of A-Listers Wanted Hugh Grant's Role

As a seasoned movie enthusiast with over three decades of cinephile escapades under my belt, I must confess that Hugh Grant’s latest performance in “Heretic” has left me utterly spellbound. This is not the charming, witty Brit we fell for in romantic comedies like Notting Hill or Love Actually. No, this time around, Grant delves deep into the darker recesses of human nature with a chilling intensity that’s positively electrifying.


As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I can’t contain my excitement about Hugh Grant making a stunning comeback. Some are referring to this as the Grantaissance, a remarkable resurgence for the beloved English actor who was once synonymous with romantic comedies that had us all swooning in the ’90s. However, his latest masterpiece on the silver screen seems to stray from the traditional path of love stories, though Grant’s captivating charm still gleams – this time in a chilling, darker light as he takes on the role in “Heretic.

A24’s latest horror masterpiece is the brainchild of Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, who penned the initial screenplay for the blockbuster hit “A Quiet Place.” Years down the line, their creativity continues to shine, and MovieWeb recently interviewed them in person in Los Angeles. They revealed that Grant was exceptionally fitting for the role of Mr. Reed, a part that many top actors were vying for. Woods shared, “I can’t mention specific names, but we had a unique situation where numerous big-name stars had obtained the script and were eager to be part of this project. That was truly exciting.

“But it also raised the bar for who we needed to cast, because it felt like: In a world where anyone’s excited to play the role, it can’t just be ‘anyone.’ It’s got to be the perfect person. And, you know, there was this insane Venn diagram that we formed of like, ‘Who has an audience’s trust?’ Well, Hugh Grant has 30 years of trust with the audience. We love Hugh Grant, whether it’s Notting Hill or, you know, any of the
Love Actually, Bridget Jones
. And then, somebody who also could just do a role that’s like a 10-out-of-10 difficulty, monologuing and holding the audience’s attention. And Hugh fit the bill. He just checked all the boxes.”

How Heretic Makes a Conversation Scary

Apart from Grant’s chilling portrayal, the movie Heretic is effective overall because it maintains an unyielding sense of dread throughout its dialogue-centric narrative. Observe how two young Mormon missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) are drawn into a seemingly friendly homeowner’s residence, but soon realize that Mr. Reed (Grant) might harbor sinister intentions, as hinted in the film’s intriguing promotional materials. Beck shared with us how they managed to make a seemingly ordinary conversation so intensely frightening on screen:

In this movie, the setting constantly changes, making it unclear if the characters are in a safe environment or if danger lurks nearby. Additionally, the film explores the topic of religion, and its creator, Mr. Reed, is an intellectual. As a result, some discussions may seem complex, but we always strive to make them relatable, whether through conversations about Monopoly games or by comparing religious beliefs to our favorite fast foods – a subject that holds personal significance for us.

From A24, Heretic will be released in theaters on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.

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2024-11-05 05:03