š¬ Film Overview and Plot
Heretic, directed and written by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods (known for A Quiet Place and 65), is a taut psychological horror released by A24 in late 2024. Set within the claustrophobic walls of one house, it explores a sinister intellectual game between two young Mormon missionaries and a charming but dangerous man, Mr. Reed, played by Hugh Grant.
Sophie Thatcher (as Sister Barnes) and Chloe East (as Sister Paxton) arrive at Mr. Reedās home to preach. A storm rages outside, and Reed invites them in for blueberry pieāa facade shielding his deeper intentions. Once inside, the duo realize they’re trapped: no cell signal, locked doors, and no pieājust Reedās sinister psychological games.
Reed tests their faith using theological debates, popāculture analogies (including Monopoly), and subtle mind games. The tension intensifies as he mentally dissects their beliefs and pushes them into moral extremity. Eventually, the psychological battle turns physical, horror unfolds, and the missionaries fight back. The climactic sequence thrusts them into a āBelief vs Disbeliefā choice, descending into a nightmarish basement, where Reed stages a mock resurrection and tests their faith yet again .
The filmās ending is deliberately ambiguousāmarked by a butterfly dream sequence that leaves viewers questioning whether characters are alive, dead, or caught in a psychological limbo.
š Performances and Characters
Hugh Grant ā Mr. Reed
Widely praised across reviews, Grant delivers a chilling performance that subverts his romanticācomedy image. He remains calm, polite, and intellectualāan unsettling blend of charm and menace. Critics characterize this as ācareerābest work,ā demonstrating how Grant leverages polite sociability as a weapon.
Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East ā Sisters Barnes & Paxton
Thatcher and East bring depth to their roles, each evolving from devout and somewhat naive into resourceful survivors. Their contrasting personalitiesāBarnes more assertive, Paxton more introspectiveāare portrayed with nuance.
š§ Themes & Symbolism
Faith vs. Doubt
At its core, Heretic is a philosophical battleground. Reedās elaborate traps force the missionaries to confront the fragility of faith. Through theological debates and symbolic devices, the film wrestles with the nature of beliefāparticularly how faith can be both a source of strength and vulnerability.
Charm as a Weapon
Reed weaponizes his gentlemanly demeanorāpleasant, witty, and conversationalāto lure his victims into complacency, then strip their defenses away. The horror emerges not from jump scares, but from the slow realization of betrayal cloaked in civility .
Psychological Entrapment
The house itself becomes a labyrinthāReed masks physical doors with polite conversation and intellectual games, until isolation is almost poetic. The filmās pacing has a āstageālikeā tension, echoing chamber dramas like Sleuth .
Ambiguity & Afterlife
The butterfly motif and ambiguous ending invite multiple interpretations. Critics and Chloe East herself highlight how the film blurs the line between life, death, and faith’s aftermath.
š„ Style & Direction
Dialogue-Driven Horror
Unlike conventional horrors, Heretic thrives on intellectual tensionādense theological exchanges and social politeness that slowly unravel. This cerebral horror approach earns it praise for avoiding cheap scares empireonline.com+1rottentomatoes.com+1.
A24ās Sophisticated Minimalism
The subdued color palette, shadow-rich cinematography by Chung Chung-hoon, and restrained score by Chris Bacon contribute to tense and haunting atmosphere.
Chamber (Bottle) Horror Setup
Set almost entirely inside one house, reminiscent of stage thrillers, heightens claustrophobia and emotional intensity. Early scenes are compared to highāstakes ācatāandāmouse tennisā
š Reception & Critique
Critical Acclaim
- Rotten Tomatoes: 91% critic score
- Hugh Grant earned award nominations (Golden Globes, BAFTA, Criticsā Choice)
Praise Highlights
- Grantās performance: āgenuinely chillingā and āa horror naturalā
- Quiet, intellectual horror draws comparisons to A Quiet Place and stage thrillers .
- Chamber-style minimalist setup creates focused tension .
Criticisms
- Some felt the ending was rushed or climactic scenes undermined earlier build-up.
- Skeptics argued the theological debates can come off as combative or superficial .
Audience Feedback
Reddit threads praised the tension and performances, particularly Grantās, while noting some dissatisfaction with the final actās pacing .
š Cultural Significance
Expanding Religious Horror
Heretic stands out in a genre often preoccupied with Catholic imagery. Instead, it critiques broader faith dynamics through the lens of Mormon missionariesāan underrepresented narrative choice .
Hugh Grantās Evolution
Grantās transformation from rom-com staple to psychologically menacing antagonist marks a bold career shift, widely regarded as revelatory .
Theology Meets Horror
Rather than demon possessions, the film explores spiritual control through debate and coercion. It raises questions about faith’s vulnerability, manipulation, and personal conviction.
š§© Conclusion
Heretic is a chilling, cerebral horror that trades in moral and intellectual conflict over gore. Anchored by Grantās unexpectedly terrifying performance and the dynamic portrayals by Thatcher and East, it crafts a tense microcosm of faith, doubt, and psychological control. While its ending may frustrate some, the film earns a lasting presence for its layered dialogue, thematic ambition, and stylish restraint.
