In A24’s latest horror endeavor, Heretic, directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods plunge audiences into a deeply unsettling meditation on faith, control, and human vulnerability. Known for their knack for suspense with A Quiet Place, Beck and Woods take a more personal and terrifying route this time, trading alien monsters for something arguably worse: the human mind. Heretic teeters on a knife’s edge between faith-based thriller and psychological horror, blending real fears with existential dread.
A Horror Movie for Believers and Skeptics Alike
In Heretic, Beck and Woods are not shy about challenging belief systems. The story begins innocuously with two young missionaries, Sisters Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Paxton (Chloe East), on a routine mission to knock on doors and spread their faith. Unfortunately, they choose the wrong door, finding themselves face-to-face with the enigmatic Mr. Reed, a role Hugh Grant tackles with a disturbing charm. The film asks: what does it mean to truly believe, and what happens when those beliefs are pushed to the limit?
Hugh Grant’s Menacing Transformation
Casting Hugh Grant as the villain feels almost like a statement in itself. Known for his British charm and endearing rom-com roles, Grant turns that charisma into something insidiously sinister. His Mr. Reed is a character who thrives on control, pulling the young missionaries into a perverse game that challenges not only their convictions but also their will to survive. With every line, he delivers an unsettling mix of religious fervor and sociopathic insight, all with an oddly polite smile.
Grant’s transformation here is an exercise in unsettling the audience’s expectations. As Mr. Reed, he relishes his role as a puppeteer, forcing his visitors into moral quandaries that test their faith. Imagine Silence of the Lambs meets Saw, with a theological twist—one where the stakes aren’t just physical survival but the survival of one’s very soul.
A Chilling Dynamic Between Belief and Control
The story of Heretic seems like a horror movie trope we’ve seen before—a religious figure terrorizing innocents—but Beck and Woods inject it with philosophical weight. The film digs into questions about what makes people believe, and what they are willing to endure to protect that belief. Sisters Barnes and Paxton go from canvassing their faith to wrestling with deep fears about salvation, damnation, and human nature.
The initial interactions with Mr. Reed are full of double meanings and loaded questions, escalating into a series of twisted psychological trials. Beck and Woods masterfully utilize claustrophobic camera work and heavy silence to create tension, forcing viewers to feel as trapped as the characters. The cinematography, led by Chung-hoon Chung, known for his work in The Handmaiden and Oldboy, captures the atmosphere with harrowing precision. The close-ups on faces, the shadows lurking in every corner—everything contributes to a feeling of foreboding that doesn’t rely on cheap scares.
Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East: Belief Under Siege
At the core of Heretic is the journey of Sisters Barnes and Paxton, played to perfection by Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East. As missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they begin with wide-eyed idealism, only to watch it crumble as they face Reed’s warped tests of faith. Thatcher’s character, Barnes, seems more level-headed, while East’s Paxton is portrayed as less worldly, both wrestling with Reed’s manipulations in different ways. East’s performance as Paxton, who is slightly naïve and struggling to comprehend the escalating horror, adds a relatable dimension to the unfolding terror.
Both actors succeed in portraying characters that could have easily become caricatures. Instead, their struggles feel raw and real. Whether it’s a struggle to hold on to a belief system or to simply survive the horrors thrust upon them, they add weight to a story that otherwise could be straightforward shock value.
The Fine Line Between Satire and Horror
While Heretic is a genuine thriller, there’s a vein of dark satire running through the film. The film plays with the missionary genre and the idea of “saving souls,” perhaps asking, “Who is really in need of saving?” By turning the tables on the young missionaries, Heretic toys with the absurdity of faith in the face of terror, giving horror fans and skeptics alike a chance to chew on some tough questions about conviction and self-preservation.
The script seems to know that it’s skirting the edge of satire, too. There’s a wryness to Reed’s taunts, and the irony of devout missionaries caught in a devilish trap isn’t lost on the filmmakers. Beck and Woods make it clear that the film isn’t meant to insult belief but to explore what happens when that belief is taken to uncomfortable extremes. It’s horror with an existential punch, leaving viewers questioning what they know about faith, choice, and coercion.
The A24 Touch: Slow-Burn Horror with Intellectual Ambition
As an A24 film, Heretic leans on the studio’s hallmark style: atmospheric, cerebral, and a little off-kilter. Unlike many horror movies that rely on jump scares, Heretic builds its horror through psychological intensity and moral ambiguity. By the time the story reaches its climax, it has transitioned from tense conversation to unflinching psychological horror. A24 fans who enjoy cerebral thrillers like Midsommar and The Witch will likely appreciate the film’s methodical pacing and intelligent scares.
Yet Heretic isn’t without its critiques. Some viewers might find the pacing too slow or the script too philosophical for a horror movie. However, for those who enjoy horror that gives as much intellectual stimulation as visceral thrills, Heretic will be a haunting addition to the A24 collection.
A Movie for Thoughtful Horror Fans
In the end, Heretic isn’t your typical scare-fest. It’s a dark examination of belief, doubt, and what people are willing to endure in the name of faith. Beck and Woods have delivered a chilling film that pushes horror into the realm of philosophy, a rare feat in a genre known for simplicity over subtlety.
Hugh Grant’s sinister performance, combined with Thatcher and East’s compelling portrayals, makes Heretic a movie that will linger with you, especially if you’re willing to grapple with its implications. It’s an experience that speaks not just to horror fans but to anyone willing to ask the big questions. Heretic demands patience, a strong stomach, and perhaps a bit of faith—or lack thereof.
FAQs
What is Heretic about?
Heretic follows two young missionaries who encounter a sadistic man who manipulates their faith and sanity. As they navigate his psychological traps, they are forced to question everything they believe.
Who stars in Heretic?
The film stars Hugh Grant as Mr. Reed, alongside Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East as the young missionaries ensnared in his disturbing game.
Who directed Heretic?
Heretic is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, known for their previous work on A Quiet Place.
How scary is Heretic?
While Heretic doesn’t rely on jump scares, its psychological tension and existential themes make it deeply unsettling.
Is Heretic an anti-religious film?
Not necessarily. The film explores the nature of belief and doubt, offering questions rather than clear answers, so it can resonate with both believers and skeptics.
Where can I watch Heretic?
The movie premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and is set for a wide release in November 2024.
