48/31
Reed, played by Hugh Grant
Plot
Two young religious women are drawn into a cat-and-mouse game at a stranger’s house. Sophie Thatcher and Chloe in East Heretic and more modern women killing the horror game. The credits music is a version of « Knocking on Heavens Door » set to "Fade into You" by Mazzy Star. A nod to the fact that "Creep" Radiohead is a repeat (for the melody) of « The Air That I Breathe »; The Hollies, which Grant mentioned earlier in the film. The end credits say that Generative Al was not used in the making of the film.. Appeared in film reviews: Heretic | The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (2024). If, like me, you watched this movie because you wanted to see Hugh Grant play a creepy villain, you won’t be disappointed. Heretic is the story of two young Mormons who visit the house of Mr. However, things are not what they seem.
Now Mr Reed played by Hugh Grant
Outside the gate you meet 2 Mormons, Sister Barnes played by Sophie Thatcher and Sister Paxton played by Chloe East. For me personally, I came to this movie because of the Hugh Grant show, but these two actors held their own and both gave great performances. Since this movie really only consists of three characters, it’s important that 2/3 of the cast work, and they did! I would say that Sophie Thatcher’s character, Sister Barnes, is the deeper of the two Mormons and is more experienced than 2. Chloe East’s character, Sister Paxton, who is a newer missionary who feels more religious than her counterpart and is eager to convert and spread God’s word. Both shows mainly consist of them being afraid of Mr. Reed, and thankfully neither is among the stupid main character. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly how Hugh Grant plays this character so well. Because the way he behaves is in no way innately creepy or scary.
What he is
It’s more the context that makes Mr. Reed creepy. The way he delivers his dialogue is so calm and kind of like he’s giving a lecture. He tries to educate and enlighten two Mormons. The way Mr. Reed gave me the ick was the way he condescends and talks to you. That and the fact that we’re in a weird scary house with timer lights and a dripping ceiling. Mr. Reed just isn’t happy!
I mentioned dialogue above
Writers/directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods wrote Heretic beautifully. Gives each character their own identity through dialogue. Heretic had great cinematography, making effective use of close-ups and pans. The sound design was simple but effective. The sound of creaking floorboards, drips and old metal locks and doors really conveyed the idea that this is an old rustic house. Now this is a spoiler free review so I’m not going to discuss this part too much but One aspect of the movie that I wish they explored more was the idea of the labyrinth. The figures and the labyrinth model are featured in the poster and the movie trailer, but they are not that important in the movie. So if you were expecting a labyrinthine horror movie, I’d be disappointed. Regardless, the set was pretty minimal, not much to discuss.
Heretic’s key theme is religion and conviction
But what was there was simple and effective. This movie does a great job of showing both sides of the coin without favoring or attacking the other opinion. It managed the balancing act well, which is important, so that it doesn’t seem like it’s attacking the views or beliefs of its audience. I will say that I didn’t think the movie was that scary. . It doesn’t bother me much, but it was released around Halloween and was advertised as a horror movie, so depending on what you were expecting, it might affect your enjoyment of the movie.
