The Reel Review
A couple of naive young Mormon missionaries find themselves caught up in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse when a seemingly jovial recluse lures them inside his house and into his basement. Once there, he presents them with a chilling choice intended to test their faith. Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East star in this psychological horror/thriller.
After 2023’s disastrously bad sci-fi thriller 65, writer/directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods return to the quality screenwriting of their 2018 blockbuster hit A Quiet Place with a rarity in horror – a cerebral story that also features some insightful analysis and discussion of various world religions. Thatcher (Yellowjackets) and East (The Fabelmans) each do a fantastic job making the increasingly panicked missionaries relatable and likable. Grant is super creepy as the initially affable and charming goofball who becomes their demented captor.
The first hour of Heretic is exceptional, a pulse-pounding and queasy story with clever camerawork set to an effectively spooky score. It gets a bit bogged down in its more gruesome and horror trope-filled second hour. But still, Heretic is a spooky and thought-provoking good time that also sticks the landing in its finale.
REEL FACTS
• Although no longer part of the religion, Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East were both raised Mormon, which gave them keen insight during the filming of Heretic.
• Heretic is the second film from distributor A24 to use miniature figurines. The first was Hereditary.
• Heretic was filmed in the Canadian cities of Squamish and Vancouver.
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