A One Mann’s Movies review of “Heretic” (2024).
In “Heretic” Hugh Grant again impresses as a delightfully urbane religious scholar. He really is good value in this one! But after an exceptionally strong start, the film tailed off into silliness in the finale.
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
“Heretic” Plot Summary:
Sister Paxton (Chloe East) and Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) are two Mormon evangelists trying to drum up new converts in a small American town. Their leads take them to the door of the urbane and charming Mr Reed (Hugh Grant). But, despite his assurances, the visit is a less than easy ride for the two girls.
Certification:
UK: 15; US: R. (From the BBFC web site: “Strong violence, bloody images, threat, sex references”).
Talent:
Starring: Hugh Grant, Chloe East, Sophie Thatcher, Topher Grace, Elle Young.
Directed by: Scott Beck & Bryan Woods.
Written by: Scott Beck & Bryan Woods.
Running Time: 1h 50m.
“Heretic” Summary:
Positives:
- A marvellously entertaining performance from Hugh Grant.
- The first half of the film’s script is twisty and suspenseful with some interesting takes on religion.
- The very final shot of the film could be open to some different interpretations.
Negatives:
- The finale of the film felt a bit silly, especially an eleventh hour denouement.
Review of “Heretic”:
Hugh Grant’s late purple patch continues.
Lovely, squidgy Hugh Grant in a horror? Unthinkable! But, once again, the 64 year old actor pulls off another surprise genre switch. As the urbane and outwardly civilised Mr Reed, Grant twinkles and gurns his way through the convoluted script in delightful fashion. I found myself grinning every time he said any of his lines. He is evil with a grin; controlling with a smirk; diabolical with a wink. Superb.
It also made me laugh.
I wasn’t expecting this to raise much in the way of laughs, but it managed to do so a few times. My favourite is Reed saying “With great power comes great responsibility. Do you know where that comes from?”. “Spider-Man?” offers Sister Barnes. “Voltaire” replies Reed with a disappointed sigh.
There is also a very humorous section where different religions are compared to different version of the game Monopoly. When the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints version was revealed, I’m sorry, but I snorted!
The girls.
Chloe East and Sophie Thatcher both do a pretty good job as the two good (but perhaps not quite perfect) girls. The writer/directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods (who were the writers behind “The Quiet Place” films and last wrote and directed the truly terrible “65“) do a much better job with this one. They spend a decent amount of time introducing the girls to the audience so you can get a feel for their characters before they get pitched into peril.
For the ‘running and screaming’ bits of the movie, both East and Thatcher deliver the goods with Chloe East being particularly good for a shocking twist in the story.
A game of two halves.
I was really enjoying this film until about half way through. The slow evolution of the girl’s awareness, the blueberry pie candle (which I noted A24 are selling on their web site!) and the suspense invoked around the girls’ faith (the two doors) kept me pretty gripped. There’s also a lovely use of music, highlighting the alleged plagerism of The Hollies’ song “Air That I Breath” into Radiohead’s “Creep” (which Grant creepily sings a snatch of) and then to Lana Del Rey’s “Get Free”.
But in the second half we stray into rather ‘same old, same old’ horror tropes. There is some sleight of hand that invokes the spirit of an early Christopher Nolan offering; an old crone in the cellar that reminded me a bit of the dodgy jump scares in “Baghead“; and a section about “butterfly dreams”, NPC’s and a sub-dermal birth control device that was so bat-shit crazy it felt like it was from another film entirely.
In particular, with another age-old horror trope in the finale, a surprise (brief) return did not remotely ring true and made me roll my eyes. (I guess the ‘return’ *might* have played into one of the religious themes of the movie… but not convincingly so.)
A debatable ending.
What I did enjoy was the final shot of the movie, which I think could be interpreted in different ways. It curiously reminded me of the ending of the excellent “Monster“, but was slightly more vague.
So welcoming. Hugh Grant twinkles with charisma as Mr Reed. (Source: A24)
Summary Thoughts on “Heretic”
As nearly always seems to be the case, A24 delivers another interesting movie. But I think “Heretic” would barely have reached 3 stars without the phenomenal charm and presence of Hugh Grant in the lead role.
Where to Watch it (Powered by Justwatch)
Trailer for “Heretic”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpWUOxRozZg.
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