HERETIC

In terms of atmosphere, tension-filled build-ups and intriguing themes Heretic is an above average thriller, with an against-type Hugh Grant to boot, but in the third act the moral lesson starts to grate.

When two Mormon girls come knocking at the door of a seemingly friendly older man, open to their message, all seems fine at first. But as the evening progresses the man starts asking more inquisitive questions about the nature of organized religion and the girls find out that escaping from the house will be tricky.

As you’ll notice, the premise of Heretic feeds into the classic ‘huis clos’ narrative and filmmakers Scott Beck and Bryan Woods (best known for cowriting A Quiet Place) have lots of fun with the atmospheric opportunities the genre provides. The angry, antireligious theme they introduce also makes for intriguing viewing, especially in the film’s first hour, which at times comes off as a treatise on the dangers of religious indoctrination.

Unfortunately this also boxes the movie into a corner. The main question: should the film in its second half continue with the talk-heavy religious meanderings or will it evolve into a more generic horror movie, where the captive girls take a series of ill-conceived decisions instead of opting for common sense? Heretic chooses the second option but keeps the heavy moralistic message, which leads to a woefully unsubtle conclusion which on most accounts feels like a cop-out.

Luckily there are three excellent central performances to keep you invested anyway. Hugh Grant has been rightly hugging the limelight with his gleefully against-type performance as the movie’s antagonist, but Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East hold their own as the Mormon girls grappling with the unusual, dangerous situation.

So if you’re asking me if I’d recommend paying for a Heretic ticket, I’d definitely say yes: for nearly two hours you will not be bored at the multiplex. But odds are you’ll leave slightly disappointed by a movie that doesn’t fulfil its full potential.  

release: 2024

director: Scott Beck, Bryan Woods

starring: Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, Chloe East, Topher Grace