Heretic introduces us to Sister Paxton and Sister Barnes (Chloe East and Sophie Thatcher), two young Mormons who are out on their prescribed evangelical mission to convert unbelievers. When they approach the home of Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant), they ring the bell with optimism. (After all, he reached out to them with an interest to hear more.) However, after entering the home, they soon discover that Mr. Reed’s call is motivated by his own religious distaste, leading to a game of spiritual cat-and-mouse that could prove deadly for them both.
Directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, Heretic does for religious films what Get Out did for Black horror. This is a film that is incisive and intelligent in its conversations yet never shies away from the intensity of the moment. For their first feature film, the duo have created a spiritual thrill ride that is both entertaining and elevated. While the film features more dialogue than destruction, Beck and Woods manage to make each turn of phrase feel like a turn of the knife.
Much of the film’s success lies with a deliciously malicious performance by Grant. In a role that approaches the comedic brutality of Batman’s famed nemesis, The Riddler, Grant is both charismatic and maniacal. With each gleeful game of psychological torture, Mr. Reed approaches his prey with twists in his soul but a twinkle in his eye. From board games to blueberry pie, Grant portrays his character as an entertainer but never trustworthy. Without overstating it, this is a career-best performance for Grant as he snarls his way through every trick and trap.
Though, the true brilliance of Heretic lies in its dissection (and inversion) of religious tropes. Every room feels like a psycho-spiritual door that needs to be unlocked. (In many ways, the film is reminiscent of Saw for its manipulative puzzle-box style yet stays away from any particular gore.) Ensnared in Reed’s cruel game, Sister Barnes and Sister Paxton move around the house like pieces on a chess board, with each decision leading to
After all, the true horror here isn’t of the body. It’s of the mind.
Heretic is playing at TIFF ’24. For more information, click here.
