Co-writers and directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods (co-writers of A Quiet Place) helm this psychological horror thriller about two young Mormon missionaries—Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East)—evangelizing door-to-door, who knock at Mr. Reed’s (Hugh Grant) house. He invites them in, beginning a cat-and-mouse game designed to force them to prove their faith. (110 min.)
Glen: This story’s strength lies in its compelling premise and surprising dialogue. The film opens with our two fish-out-of-water missionaries sitting on a bus stop bench with a condom advertisement on the back of it, while Sister Barnes posits her marketing theory that “magnum” condoms are the same size as regular condoms and Sister Paxton explains how she saw evidence of God in a pornographic film she once saw. You immediately get a sense of both the subculture from whence they come and their otherness in the world to which they go to spread their faith. They’re earnest and hopeful, but when they enter Mr. Reed’s house, they become prey. It’s delicious fun watching them struggle to maintain their relentless politeness as it slowly dawns on them that they might be in real trouble.
Anna: Both young women are sweet, meek people—though Sister Barnes seems a bit mysterious in a way while Sister Paxton seems to be a straightforward, raised-in-the-church, doing-her-service-for-the-Lord kind of gal. The two have a list of houses to call on, including Mr. Reed’s, and arrived at the very beginning of a nasty storm. The two aren’t unaware of their vulnerability. In fact, they only agree to enter the house out of the rain when Mr. Reed offers to introduce them to his wife. However, it isn’t long until the creep vibe sets in and the two realize they’re trapped in a game that they never agreed to play. Grant has really taken on some sinister roles as of late, and this character of Mr. Reed is quietly evil. Reed has a great knack for disarming people and for making them feel as if they are irrationally feeling off kilter. He’s a theology expert and a sharp-tongued quick wit, but meek as they may seem, both Sister Paxton and Sister Barnes have more to them than blind faith.
Glen: Grant is terrific. The roguishly handsome Brit made a name for himself as a dashing charmer in films such as Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Bridget Jones’s Diary, About a Boy, and Love Actually. These days he’s leaning into his craggy wrinkles and turning up the menace on his animated face. Thatcher and East manage to keep up with the veteran actor, turning in complex performances as the two imperiled women. When I left the theater, I was a little disappointed in the film’s third act. All the script’s early intelligence devolved into what seemed to be a banality of evil, but after sleeping on it, I feel more satisfied. It’s a dark fairy tale, smartly told.
Anna: You can feel Mr. Reed’s evil hidden just under the surface, but why he’s torturing these girls doesn’t become clear until that third act—and even then, the film works hard at keeping mystery ample. The house they’re in is an odd and claustrophobic series of hallways and doors, set about in an unsettling maze. It’s smart in both dialogue and storytelling, and the three leads manage to each hold a presence on-screen in a very nuanced way. While I love Grant as the roguish cutie in rom-coms, I’m happy with his ability to morph into these darker, deeper characters. If psychological thrillers are your thing, Heretic will hold your attention from beginning to end as this tale reveals itself.
New Times Senior Staff Writer Glen Starkey and freelancer Anna Starkey write Sun Screen. Glen compiles listings. Comment at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Nov 14-24, 2024.