HERETIC (2024)

Genre: Thriller
Director: Scott Beck, Bryan Woods
Cast: Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, Chloe East, Topher Grace, Elle Young
Runtime: 1 hr 50 mins
Rating: NC16 (Violence and Religious References)
Released By: mm2 Entertainment
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 12 December 2024

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. 

Movie Review:

There was a time when English actor Hugh Grant was the man to go to if you wanted a leading man in a romance flick. With his distinct British accent, coupled with a refined yet slightly self deprecating tone, it is no wonder that he was considered a heartthrob with roles in movies like Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994), Notting Hill (1999), Bridget Jones’ Diary (2001) and Love Actually (2007). These were characters he played during his 30s and 40s.

Fast forward to 2024 and we can tell that Grant has aged like fine wine. At 64 years old, he has been taking up roles which are against your typical romantic gentleman type. He was hilarious as an arrogant actor in Paddington 2 (2017), flaunted his riches as a flashy arms dealer in Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre (2023), and was wackily entertaining as an Oompa Loompa in Wonka (2023).

With his latest role in this psychological horror movie, Grant goes one notch higher. He gets to exude his charm while playing an extremely dangerous man. And at the time of writing, his performance has been nominated at the 82^nd Golden Globe Awards and 30^th Critics Choice Awards. It'll be nice to see him recognised with some Best Actor trophies this award season.

Directed and written by American filmmaking duo Scott Beck and Bryan Woods (known for their work on the story and co written screenplay in 2018’s A Quiet Place), the movie’s premise is simple yet intriguing. When the film begins, we see two young missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (played with conviction by Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) talking about condoms (great way to captivate the audience), before they arrive at the home of a reclusive middle aged man (Grant) whom we will only know as Mr Reed.

Because of the heavy rain, the two young ladies are invited into the house where Mr Reed tells them that his wife is preparing a blueberry pie at the back of the house. Feeling assured, the missionaries make themselves comfortable in the living room and begin conversing with their host.

As a viewer, you’d know that something is fishy when Mr Reed begins to weave in uncomfortable comments about the Mormon religion. You can see that the missionaries are feeling awkward too. They try to excuse themselves, but you know it isn’t going to be successful. In fact, Grant’s irresistible charisma works well here, because he is such a smooth talker who is effortlessly engaging, and you’d want to see what he exactly has up his sleeves.

When the story brings the three characters to Mr Reed’s study and eventually his foreboding basement, we were holding our breath with anxiety, but also wanting to listen to Mr Reed as he goes on about his views on religion. There is an analogy involving the famous board game Monopoly that allows Mr Reed to effectively bring across his point like a persuasive salesman, and dare we say it, in an extremely appealing manner that may have some people agreeing with him.

Grant probably had the time of his life playing Mr Reed, and it is clearly the best part of the talky movie. While it is unlikely that your views on faith will be shaken, you’d be captivated by Grant’s signature allure.

Movie Rating:

(Despite playing the baddie in this religious horror flick, Hugh Grant effortlessly charms his way into our hearts again with his delightful charisma)

Review by John Li