Hugh Grant’s Heretic Villain Inspired by NXVIM Cult Leader

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As a movie buff with a soft spot for suspenseful thrillers and a knack for recognizing real-life influences in fictional characters, watching Hugh Grant’s chilling portrayal of Mr. Reed in “Heretic” struck a familiar nerve. The filmmakers’ claim that his character was inspired by a notorious 21st-century cult leader piqued my curiosity. It wasn’t Jared Leto, but it was close – very close indeed!

As I found myself drawn into Hugh Grant’s eerily captivating portrayal in the chilling film “Heretic“, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of deja vu. It turns out that my intuition was spot on, as filmmakers Scott Beck and Bryan Woods revealed that Grant’s character in the A24 horror movie is based on a real-life villain from this century. Surprisingly, it wasn’t Jared Leto, but another infamous cult leader who bears a striking resemblance to him.

In this production, Sophie Thatcher from “Yellowjackets” and Chloe East from “Generation” portray Sister Barnes and Sister Paxton, two Mormon missionaries who venture house to house, aiming to win over new followers for their faith. Tragically, they end up at the wrong residence, leading them into the clutches of a sinister plot devised by Mr. Reed, a captivating and malevolent character played by Grant. Essentially, it’s like the horror movie “Saw,” but with a focus on theology instead.

This weekend, I’m excited to catch the new release, “Heretic.” Written and directed by the talented duo Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, who brought us “A Quiet Place,” they’ve shared with /Film that this latest project offers an intriguing twist on their previous work. Unlike “A Quiet Place,” where the aliens have such acute hearing that dialogue is minimal, “Heretic” resonates with a wealth of dialogue due to its villain, Grant, who seems to never run out of things to say!

As per Beck and Woods, Mr. Reed drew inspiration from the horror legend Vincent Price, but his character was additionally modeled after several real-life individuals, notably a notorious cult leader.

In our discussions about Reed, especially with Hugh, it turns out there’s a multitude of real-life influences, surprisingly enough. You might find it interesting to consider figures like Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens from the UK, atheist thinkers who have significantly impacted society. Additionally, we delved into American cult leaders such as Keith Raniere, a notable figure from the NXIVM cult. We often talked about how he utilized an unusual charisma and exceptional listening skills to manipulate people, gain their compliance, and exert control over them.

Hugh Grant’s Villain in Heretic Is a Little Too Real

Clearly, Keith Raniere was, at one time, the head of NXVIM, the organization portrayed in the HBO documentary series “The Vow”. Unlike Raniere, Mr. Reed doesn’t sport a ponytail and indulge in volleyball while participating in human trafficking and sexual abuse. However, they do have some troubling parallels. Both men tend to elaborate extensively on their views towards an audience that can’t escape, and they both leverage power disparities to control and intimidate young women.

As someone who has had my fair share of encounters with such individuals, Grant’s villain resonates deeply. Mr. Reed is a self-proclaimed intellectual, yet his behavior towards the teenage girls is nothing short of manipulative. He keeps them captive and lectures them about religion for extended periods, turning a casual conversation into a one-sided debate that he seems to have rehearsed. It’s a scenario all too familiar to many women, including myself and my friends, where we find ourselves trapped in conversations with overly confident men who believe they are the ultimate authority on various topics, especially religion. These individuals often fancy themselves followers of Christopher Hitchens or Richard Dawkins, making their pretentiousness predictable but no less annoying. It’s comforting to see authors like Beck and Woods acknowledge this type of character in their work.

In the realm of cinematic experiences, “Heretic” serves as a compelling reminder that unyielding skepticism, much like fervent religiosity, can sometimes be as grating and potentially damaging as some extreme faith-based movements or personalities.

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2024-11-02 00:31