Directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods

As an historically steadfast defender of Hugh Grant‘s cheesy romcom boyfriend era, I now fully transition my loyalty to his sickeningly chilling killer era. (P.S. read this article from the New York Times if you want to dive into Grant’s current thoughts on acting roles.)

Chloe East and Sophie Thatcher are missionaries looking for a baptism when they meet Hugh Grant in his home. They’re hesitant to enter until he assures them his wife is in the other room, a requirement for Mormon women. While waiting for her to join them, they start a deeply theological conversation with the man, shyly answering his occasional off-topic questions, like “What’s your favorite fast food,” asked in a tone that can only be described as sinister. As the discussion continues, growing edgier, the girls become less and less comfortable with their surroundings and set off a chain of events that pushes them into an elaborate and exquisitely planned trap set by Grant’s Mr. Reed.

With only a few sets and 99% of screen time centering just three actors, Heretic manages to keep viewers locked in from the moment the Sisters ring that doorbell. This movie is smartly written, deeply provocative, and damn creepy.

The plot

This plot is almost entirely reliant on dialogue and storytelling. Grant is so transformed into the eerily calm, murderous conspiracy theorist. In interviews, East has been vocal about her personal history with Mormonism, and it showed in her character’s careful balance between upholding the beliefs and codes of her religion and quietly engaging in banned activities opposite Thatcher’s cooler portrayal of ‘outward confidence, inward terror.’

And almost all of this characterization comes from the dialogue, which was written so well. Even the most deeply religious person has had doubts, and the discourse presented here capitalized on that through the theme of “iterations.” We come to understand these characters through the way they ask and answer questions.

By the time we reach the end of the story and realize just how well Mr. Reed planned the night, we feel as betrayed as the Sisters do. Even if we wouldn’t have followed in their exact footsteps (what modern woman wouldn’t run the second their host tells them the walls are lined with metal?), we are as shocked and horrified by the turn of events as they are.

Like any good horror (really, any good movie), the minutiae keep you engaged, and Heretic is elevated by the small creep factor details:

• The mini replica of the house, showing how twisted and inescapable the layout is and making certain death feel inevitable. BTW, the shape of the house is said to be a nod to the famous patterned carpet from The Shining.
• Mr. Reed’s minute-by-minute agenda of the night, forcing questions like “How long has he been planning for this, how many times has he done this before, and is it tracking according to his schedule?”
• Mr. Reed’s not one, but two “Hubby” mugs, from which he continues drinking long after the “my wife’s in the kitchen” lie has been exposed.

The ending

Online and in interviews, the ending of this movie has prompted the most looming questions. Who survived? Who didn’t? Was Mr. Reed right — is this all a simulation?

But much like religion and the themes of this film, we don’t know, and we never will. It’s up to each of us who experience it to make our own determination.

Final thoughts

There is a non-traditional thrill to this horror film. There is death, there is suspense, and there are jump-scares, but the depth of this plot relies on dialogue and narrative. There is never “gore for gore’s sake” and there is no unnecessary, body-horror-y bloodiness (which has its place, of course, just not here). It’s thought-provoking and forces introspection.

This is the kind of movie you want to rewatch to find the Easter eggs you missed the first time around.

This movie is good.

My rating: 4.5/5