Heretic Review: Hugh Grant Horror Deserves Your Leap Of Faith [TIFF 2024]

As a seasoned film enthusiast with over three decades of movie-going under my belt, I must say that “Heretic” has left an indelible mark on me. The writing duo of Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, known for their work on “A Quiet Place,” have outdone themselves with this thought-provoking horror masterpiece. Their previous work had led me to expect a high-concept mainstream crowdpleaser, but “Heretic” is a completely different beast – one that tackles the complexities of religion, music, and board games in a riveting three-hander.

I’m thoroughly impressed when filmmakers manage to catch me off guard, and the movie “Heretic,” written and directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, did just that in numerous ways. I had high expectations for these directors due to their script for “A Quiet Place,” but what I didn’t expect was a horror movie of a different kind – one that was more about intricate concepts than mainstream thrills and chills. I wasn’t a fan of their previous directorial effort, “65,” which failed to make a compelling story out of “Adam Driver as an astronaut battling dinosaurs.” Frankly, I didn’t think this duo could surprise me after that, but with “Heretic,” they proved me wrong.

Neither will the trailer really prepare you for what’s in store — though by now, moviegoers should know that trailers for A24 horror films always make them look more traditional than they actually are. In terms of the basics of the plot, the trailer gives an accurate summary: two Mormon missionaries, Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East), visit the house of Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant), only to find themselves trapped inside and put up to a test of their faith. What the trailer can’t get across is how this story plays out — as a wordy, intellectual debate about the nature of religion … and music … and board games …

Initially, the film “Heretic” is primarily dialogue-driven, offering a mix of humorous, suspenseful, enlightening, and thought-provoking dialogues. The script’s quality is outstanding, reminiscent at times of works by Quentin Tarantino, Jordan Peele, and Richard Linklater. I must admit, I wasn’t expecting such a captivating screenplay from Beck and Woods. Primarily focusing on three characters, the lead actors deliver stellar performances that truly bring their roles to life. However, the film falls slightly short of becoming an immediate classic due to its final act, where some major revelations, following much anticipation, end up feeling somewhat underwhelming.

A play of ideas, with great characters

In the initial scene, Sisters Barnes and Paxton engage in a conversation about the incident that solidified their belief in the Mormon Church. For Paxton, it was an unexpected encounter with a pornographic video, which she found embarrassing for the actor involved. In contrast, Barnes doesn’t share such an experience but has been more successful in converting new members to the church. Paxton feels belittled by the “South Park musical,” while Barnes finds its songs amusing. At first glance, one might assume the innocent-looking Paxton as the devoted follower and the unconventional Barnes as the doubter; however, both women maintain intricate yet sincere connections with their faith.

Speaking of complicated, Mr. Reed knows more about Mormonism, and seemingly every other religion, than the missionaries themselves — and in his extensive study, he’s determined that all of these religions are wrong. Is he simply a hardcore atheist in the Richard Dawkins mode, or is something stranger afoot, with his insinuations that he’s finally discovered “the one true religion”? Is the grace the missionaries give him, even when it becomes more and more obvious he means them ill, indicative of the problems with religion itself?

As a gamer, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying Hugh Grant’s transformation into the villainous realm. From “Cloud Atlas” to “Paddington 2” and now “Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,” he’s truly excelled when given the chance to play the bad guy. In “Heretic,” his first horror role since “The Lair of the White Worm” three decades ago, Grant delivers an exceptional villain performance that even includes a cheeky Jar Jar Binks impression. Interestingly enough, a significant chunk of viewers might find themselves nodding along with up to 90% of what Mr. Reed’s character says – it seems Hugh might be part of this group, admitting at the Toronto International Film Festival premiere that he could easily empathize with his nonbeliever role. However, there’s a smaller group who will find themselves surprisingly rooting for the Mormon girls, even if they’re not typically sympathetic to anti-theists.

What’s in the basement?

Let’s delve into the concluding part of “Heretic” to shed some light on why it falls short in certain aspects. The final act is loaded with surprising plot turns, many of which echo twists from other films (I won’t mention specific titles to keep spoilers at bay, but I am referring to a classic film by a recent Oscar winner intertwined with a horror movie from the past few years, along with an element that hints at another A24 production with a mind-bending narrative). The fact that these twists are borrowed isn’t the issue; in fact, it aligns with the movie’s focus on imitation. However, the way these plot twists collide will put your willingness to suspend disbelief to the test.

Perhaps it’s appropriate for a film exploring faith in the extraordinary, given its title “Heretic”. The movie has been quite entertaining throughout, so even if the ending doesn’t quite live up to the journey, it’s not a deal-breaker. However, the narrative logic can be confusing at times, but the conclusion manages to tie up loose ends by referencing previous jokes and character development while also adding fresh perspectives to both sides of the religion debate.

The debates sparked by this movie are likely to persist among viewers even post-screening. Regardless of individual beliefs or origins, people will walk away from this film with varying interpretations; some may find their perspectives questioned, while others may find them validated. The characters in “Heretic” believe they hold the right answers regarding God’s nature, but the movie itself does not aim to provide solutions for you. Instead, it serves to stimulate thoughts and, of course, entertain. On both counts, it’s a delightfully engaging experience.

The movie titled “Heretic” was first shown at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, and it will be available for public viewing in theaters starting from November 15.

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2024-09-18 00:30