As you know, I love holiday films, having reviewed Red One with Dwayne Johnson and A Sudden Case of Christmas with Danny DeVito last month. I will add my two cents on Dear Santa with Jack Black very soon. Today’s review is for a film that won’t give you the warm fuzzies like most of Hugh Grant’s films do (hello holiday classic Love, Actually, Happy 20th!). Prepare yourself to see Hugh Grant in a whole new light in Heretic.
Faith and Intelligence Required!
I received a complimentary screener of Heretic from A24 for my consideration for upcoming Oscar nominations as a Music City Film Critics Association member. Thank you. All opinions are my own.
About Heretic:
Distributed by A24/Directed by: Scott Beck, Bryan Woods/Run Time:1 hour,50 mins./Genre: Horror/Thriller/Rated: R
Cast: Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, Chloe East, Topher Grace
Film Synopsis:
“Two young missionaries are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse.”
My Thoughts:
Hugh Grant’s dialog-heavy performance is spectacular. From his first moment on screen, he pulls you in and doesn’t let you go. You believe him at first. He is so convincing, standing in the doorway of his home that he could easily pass as your neighbor or someone’s dad and that is what makes this film all the more chilling.
Mr. Reed wants to test the sisters Paxton and Barnes’ Mormon faith, but they don’t know that when his self-deprecating charm disarms them at the front door. There’s a terrible winter storm brewing, which only adds to the urgency as they await a reply to their knock.
All he wants to do is to lure them inside for his evil plan. All they want is to get Mr.Reed to convert to Mormonism, so sister East can have her first conversion. The charming Mr. Reed has no trouble lying and luring the young ladies into his home and with a deft hand and a few homey props, the girls' fates are sealed.
Once they are all seated in the living room, and the questions and answers start, you get a sense that all is not what it appears. Mr. Reed is theologically smart and well-versed in many faiths, but that’s not what makes you question his motives, it's the odd and slightly inappropriate questions to the sisters. The real motive builds slowly. You see the dawning on the sisters' faces, you feel the tension between them as the young ladies attempt to outwit evil.
The Takeaway:
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Courtesy:A24 |
This is not a religious film. It’s more a study of faith and how we interact with religion. Hugh Grant takes command of the screen with his whip-smart dialog and will have you fully believing he knows what he’s talking about.
The sisters have to outsmart him to live. If you like intellectual thrillers, with a side of creepy horror, I recommend you watch Heretic. I found it highly riveting and entertaining. It’s available on Apple TV and other streaming platforms.
Stay tuned for more film reviews as I wrap up this year in films.
Please share in comments: Are you a Hugh Grant fan?
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