Heretic Review: The Horror Film That Questions Everything You Believe

There’s something undeniably awesome about watching an actor like Hugh Grant step into the role of a villain. In Heretic (2024), Grant’s portrayal of the unsettling Mr. Reid is nothing short of beguiling. Trading in his charming rom-com persona for a calculated, cardigan-wearing menace, Grant’s performance alone makes Heretic worth the watch. But it’s not just Grant who shines.

Director Scott Beck and Bryan Woods craft a film that’s as clever as it is unnerving. It thumps a philosophical horror tale rich with tension and unnerving introspection. For fans of slow-burn horror with thematic depth, think The Collector (without a death every 20 minutes and less leather) or Escape Room without deathtraps. Heretic is an absolute must-watch.

Hugh Grant’s Sinister Turn in a Claustrophobic Horror Film

Plot Summary: Heretic introduces us to two young Mormon missionaries, Paxton and Barnes. Both are assigned to visit homes by appointment. From the outset, the audience is aware of the underlying threat, the rules of their mission create an automatic layer of unease. Of course, they have their “protections.”

A woman must be present in the house; for instance, a rule is challenged when Mr. Reid, a lone and unassuming man, greets them. Beyond the initial charm of carefully hung signage like “Bless this Mess”, his home exudes subtle warning signs. First of all, there are a lot of locks. Not long after this, the fact that the lighting is on a timer, and a wife never materialises. What begins as a polite interaction spirals into something much darker as the two women’s attempts to leave are steadily thwarted.

Grant’s portrayal of Mr. Reid is successful via his controlled villainy. Unlike the more obvious horror villains of mainstream cinema, Reid’s power comes from his intellect and his unnerving calm. His presence shifts between friendly and predatory, with the simple action of removing his glasses lending an unsettling “Jekyll and Hyde” quality to his character. Every line he delivers drips with subtext, challenging the women’s beliefs while simultaneously deconstructing his own. He’s a man on a mission. He’s on a self-assigned quest to discover the one “true” religion. His unsettling patience in carrying out his plan makes every scene with him a slow-burning nightmare.

Thematic Brilliance | Faith, Control, and the Nature of Belief

Heretic isn’t your typical home-invasion horror if you can even call it that. Its heart lies in its philosophical explorations of religion, control, and belief. Reid’s diatribes on religion, how belief systems have evolved, diluted, and monetized over time, are both fascinating and deeply uncomfortable. He’s not just a killer; he’s a theologian in the guise of a madman. At one point, he argues that “religion is an ornament,” an accessory that society decorates itself with rather than a core truth. It’s a concept that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

The interplay between control and submission is mirrored in the house itself. Paxton and Barnes’ belief that they’re safe under the “rules” of their mission is tested repeatedly. Reid’s precision strips away every attempt to assert control over their situation. Like air being squeezed from a balloon. Locked doors and strategic architecture steer them to rooms that become symbolic arenas for the film’s additional debates. A

A striking set piece occurs when the girls are funneled into a green-lit room styled like a cathedral. A visual metaphor, as overt as it is gorgeous.

Flawed Brilliance: The Ending Of “Heretic” Debate

A great film often inspires conversation, and Heretic’s ending is no exception. It’s divisive. Upon first viewing, I hated it. It’s abrupt, jarring, and almost too generic. But like all great endings, it lingers. The journey to get there is so airtight, swift, tense, and interesting, that it’s hard to dismiss the final moments entirely. The more I reflected on it, the more it felt fitting. Like a statement on the ambiguity of belief. Was the film taking aim at religion or championing it? Maybe both. Heretic is clever that way, forcing the audience to fight with its layered ideas.

Director’s Continual Blockbuster Arc For directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, Heretic marks another harmony. Their combined previous works have always resonated with audiences. But here, they’re clearly in the right niche. Every shot feels purposeful, with a firm grasp of pacing, tone, and atmosphere. Both set the bar for giving the ability to juggle theological musings with pure, nail-biting horror. It’s impressive, making Heretic feel like a deeply considered passion project.

Final Verdict Heretic

The 2024 horror title may not be a perfect movie, but it’s a memorable one. Few films successfully merge thought-provoking dialogue with visceral unease, and even fewer can match the tension in this film’s most intense scenes. Hugh Grant’s Mr. Reid is a soft-spoken monster with a master plan.

Director Jose Prendes delivers an ambitious concept with startlingly effective results. While the ending will most likely divide audiences, there’s no question that Heretic is a horror film that’s worth talking about. And in the crowded world of 2024 horror releases, that’s no small feat.

The stunning upward shot of Grant, his face obscured in shadow, as the girls look up from the cellar deserves to be on the film’s poster. But the one we were given is o.k too, I guess.

Heretic is rated

4 Monopoly is for totalitarians and capitalists out of 5

Should there be more horror movies with religious undertones? You be the judge, add these to your watchlist next: Glorious Movie Explained J.K Simmons Is A God | Tin and Tina | Shaitaan, (The Devil) | The Exorcism of Saint Patrick | Revealer 2022 Is A Religious Horror Film

For more by the illustrious directors watch Haunt to start with but they also did A Quiet Place films.

One of the first Heretic reviews to come out of TIFF after the titles premiere was Meagan Navarro on BloodyDisgusting.com.

Heretic 2024 Trailer | A24