 "Heretic movie review: Evil Hugh Grant delivers horror in this edgy & gore-tastic religious thriller")
Cast: Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East
Director: Scott Beck and Bryan Woods
In the era of rom-coms and massy-actioners, coming across a psychological thriller with a theme of religion imbibed in darkness and creep turns out to be a gripping entertainer with a pacy narrative and impeccable performances.
As Mr Reed (Hugh Grant) shows his interest in knowing more about the Church of Jesus Christ, the following day two missionaries Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) & Sister Paxton (Chloe East) (often referred to as Mormons) come to his reclusive house during a snowstorm.
Both sisters tell Mr Reed that they can only enter his house if a woman is present. He assures them that his wife is making a blueberry pie. As they come inside his house, Mr Reed asks them if they don’t mind his home having metal in the walls.
The trio soon starts discussing religions, and their impact on people followed by Mr Reeds’ uncomfortable questions regarding girls’ faith and nature of belief.
Sister Barnes realizes that the smell of Blueberry pie is actually coming from a scented candle. She and Sister Paxton, who is a bit timid, tell Mr Reeds that they are getting a call from a senior person from the church, and he wants them to come back.
However, the door is locked and there are signals on phones. Mr Reeds convinces them to come to his study room to get their respective coats and there we see intense talk as he claims to have found the “one true religion” while others are just adapted from one other. He makes pop-culture references to make sisters understand.
As his discussion gets menacing, Mr Reeds gives options of 2 doors to Paxton and Barnes based on their belief and disbelief, which will take them outside the house.
As they open the door, the narrative gets deeper, edgier and gory with some shocking twists and turns. And what are they? Well, for that you have to watch Heretic on the big screen.
Scott Beck and Bryan Woods have masterfully crafted the secluded world of Mr Reeds, which is not creepy but makes you curious with its mysterious nature. The sound and camera work are amazing and Brownie points to the editor as he made sure to keep the story-telling crisp.
Talking about the performances, Hugh Grant is a show stealer and chills down your spine with his menacing character of Mr Reeds. He rules the canvas with his supreme act. Sophie Thatcher as Barnes gives a mature performance as we see an emotional depth to his portrayal. Chloe as Paxton delivers a great act as perfectly emotes with his expressive face as per the situation in the film.
On the whole, Heretic deserves a watch for its novelty and supreme performance by Hugh Grant.
Rating: 3 (out of 5 stars)
Heretic is playing in cinemas
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