Heretic - Review : A Theological Thriller of Passive-Aggressive Nihilism

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Heretic

Directed by Scott Beck & Bryan Woods • 2024

A Theological Thriller of Passive-Aggressive Nihilism

★★★☆☆

An intriguing diversion anchored by a delightfully creepy performance from Hugh Grant.

Release Date

November 8, 2024

Rotten Tomatoes

92%

Letterboxd Score

3.6/5

Running Time

1h 50m

Official Synopsis

Two young Latter-day Saint missionaries, Sister Barnes and Sister Paxton, knock on the door of the welcoming yet reclusive Mr. Reed. What begins as an innocent conversation about theology rapidly transforms into a calculated psychological nightmare. Trapped within his labyrinthine, highly secured home, the missionaries find their religious convictions put to a deadly test. Mr. Reed forces them to choose between literal doors labeled "Belief" and "Disbelief" to survive his intricate theological maze.

Expanded Ensemble

• Hugh Grant as Mr. Reed
• Sophie Thatcher as Sister Barnes
• Chloe East as Sister Paxton
• Topher Grace as Elder Kennedy
• Elle McKinnon as Female Prophet
• Stephanie Lavigne as The Miracle

Expanded Architects

• Directors: Scott Beck, Bryan Woods
• Screenplay: Scott Beck, Bryan Woods
• Producers: Stacey Sher, Scott Beck, Bryan Woods
• Cinematography: Chung-hoon Chung
• Film Editor: Justin Li
• Music Composer: Chris Bacon

Official Promotional Trailer

Production Info & Specifications

Financial Budget	$10 Million (Estimated)
Global Box Office	$35.1 Million
Capture Format	Digital (Sony VENICE 2) • 1.85:1 Spherical Layout
Primary Locations	Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Production Label	A24 • Catchlight Studios • Shiny Penny

Directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, Heretic is a theological thriller that uses the popular horror device of characters being trapped by their own politeness. Two Mormon missionaries find themselves in a cat-and-mouse game with the mysterious Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant). While the tension ratchets up effectively using classic suspense tropes, the film's core is a debate on the merits of religion and belief—a discussion that proves to be as elaborate as it is ultimately dismissive.

"Heretic is not scary enough to be a great horror film and it's not cerebral enough to be a great think piece. So what we are stuck with is an intriguing diversion."

— Ray Manukay

🎬 Production Brief

• Directors: Scott Beck & Bryan Woods (A Quiet Place writers)
• Starring: Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, Chloe East
• Studio: A24
• Themes: Religious skepticism, Societal compliance, Nihilism

The Performance Anchor

The primary draw of the film is Hugh Grant, who delivers a masterclass in passive-aggressive threat. He excellently alternates between being a thought-provoking philosopher and a formidable physical danger. Alongside Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East, the trio maintains a high-quality production feel. However, the film stumbles in its philosophical payoff, bringing up half-hearted arguments that dissolve into a "glossy, yet frivolous admonition of uncertainty" rather than a meaningful conclusion.

💡 Cinephile Fun Facts

• The Monopoly Connection: The film's elaborate debate includes a lengthy, fascinating analogy involving the history of board games and religious iteration.
• Blueberry Pie: The scent of a blueberry pie plays a pivotal, sensory role in the film's exploration of "evidence" and belief.
• A24 Style: This marks another collaboration between the Quiet Place writers and A24, leaning into their "elevated horror" aesthetic.

✅ Pros

• Surprisingly strong and dynamic lead performances.
• Top-notch production value and atmospheric tension.
• A fun, twisty "cat and mouse" structure.

❌ Cons

• Philosophical arguments lack a meaningful or strong payoff.
• Not terrifying enough for horror purists.
• Premise dissolves into a somewhat frivolous ending.

The Full Analysis

Heretic is a theological thriller starring a delightfully creepy Hugh Grant, where the tension slowly ratchets up using the tried and true tropes of horror and suspense cinema. At the heart of the film, however, lies a central discussion and debate regarding the merits of religion and belief. The setup utilizes a currently popular horror plot device: the dangers of being overly passive and compliant in the face of obvious violence due to societal expectations and the desire to avoid conflict.

While the premise is elaborate, the movie primarily uses this convention as an excuse to explore the broader subject of faith. Consequently, a viewer’s interest in that specific topic will directly affect their overall enjoyment of the film. There are certainly some fun twists and turns throughout the runtime, and the project is well-crafted with top-notch production value. The three leads, Chloe East, Sophie Thatcher, and Hugh Grant, play an engaging cat-and-mouse game that keeps the momentum moving.

But is it all worth it in the end? Probably not. Unfortunately, despite all the attention dedicated to the philosophical angle, the film does not seem to make a strong argument either way. The issues are brought up somewhat half-heartedly and do not really pay off in any meaningful way. While this lack of a definitive stance may be the point, it remains disappointing to set up such a great discussion only to let it dissolve into a glossy, yet frivolous and dismissive, admonition of uncertainty.

If there is a primary draw for the film, it is the performance of Hugh Grant. He does an excellent job of portraying a passive-aggressive nihilist, alternating perfectly between being thought-provoking and a formidable threat. For all its charm, Heretic is not quite scary enough to be a great horror film, and it is not cerebral enough to be a truly great think piece. We are left with an intriguing diversion, which for many people is enough. I would recommend this film strictly for its surprisingly strong performances, but if you are hoping for material that will truly terrify or elicit lively philosophical debates, this unfortunately is not the film, despite its promising premise.

🏆 Final Verdict

Recommended strictly for the performances, particularly Grant’s creepy turn. While it doesn't quite succeed as a deep philosophical discussion or a visceral horror masterpiece, it remains an intriguing diversion for those who enjoy a well-crafted thriller.

View original review on Letterboxd