Two of my all-time favorite movies, SENSE AND SENSIBILITY and NOTTING HILL, star Hugh Grant. I just think he’s incredible, and in those films in particular. I know he can be a real cad, like in BRIDGET JONES’S DIARY, but I’ve never imagined what he’d be like in the role of a completely amoral, evil man. Tonight, I was able to experience that when I watched HERETIC.
HERETIC follows two young Mormon missionaries, Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East), who knock on the door of a seemingly harmless man named Mr. Reed (Grant). He’s friendly, intelligent and more than happy to discuss religion with them. Unfortunately, their decision to accept his invitation inside turns into a nightmare when they discover that there’s much more to this man than meets the eye. What follows is a game of psychological manipulation in which Mr. Reed challenges the women’s religious beliefs while also demonstrating that he’s in complete control of their situation. He seems articulate and reasonable, but the more we learn about him, the more uncomfortable things become.
The movie takes an interesting approach to horror by spending a lot of time exploring questions about faith, organized religion, and the ways in which people use belief systems to influence others. These conversations may seem a little deep for a horror film, but they’re among its most interesting elements. Reed isn’t simply interested in frightening these women. He wants to get inside their heads, challenge everything they believe, and eventually convince them that they know nothing.
And Hugh Grant… what the hell?!! I’ve seen this man aw-shucks his way through romantic misunderstandings, charm his way through countless relationships, and generally make a career out of being the likable Englishman. Seeing him in a role like this is quite an experience. The filmmakers use him perfectly, as the man we initially meet seems a lot like the Grant we’ve seen in the past, just maybe a little quieter. But there’s still that familiar charm and conversational delivery that will make Mr. Reed much more frightening when it’s turned off. It’s an excellent performance that I will NOT be forgetting about anytime soon.
Beyond Hugh Grant’s casting, though, the film continues to subvert our expectations with our Mormon missionaries. The film opens with the young ladies in mid-conversation on topics you wouldn’t necessarily expect to hear them discussing, in this case, condom size and pornography. We do move quickly into more traditional activities as they go about their day interacting with potential converts, but that discussion lingers as we move forward. The story gradually reveals real depth in each of their characters. Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East are very good, with their contrasting personalities and abilities adding another layer to the proceedings. They do a nice job conveying the fear and desperation of women who suddenly find themselves in a horrific situation they cannot control. Thatcher’s Sister Barnes hasn’t been as sheltered growing up, so she brings some street smarts and toughness to the proceedings. I found East to be particularly appealing as she’s able to show real intelligence and bravery behind Sister Paxton’s seemingly naïve façade.
HERETIC isn’t a movie that’s going to appeal to everyone. If you’re not willing to spend some time discussing religion and philosophy, this is probably not the movie for you. I appreciate that directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods were willing to take a different approach to the horror genre. Their focus on exposing unchallenged, narcissistic beliefs and how they ultimately lead to horrific actions is much more effective than simply relying on jump scares and other familiar tricks. Just know that the movie’s going to operate on a sense of impending dread for quite a while before jumping into real horror.
I found HERETIC to be a genuinely creepy thriller that benefits enormously from Hugh Grant’s presence. While I’ll always love his performances from the past, it won’t be easy to shake the evil he presents here. Who knew that the guy from LOVE ACTUALLY could be this disturbing!
