“Heretic” (2024) – Sister Paxton (Chloe East) and Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) aren’t siblings.
These two pleasant, college-age women are postponing their university studies to fulfill their missionary work for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When we first meet Paxton and Barnes, they sit on a bench and discuss the need for Magnum condoms.
What?
Their spicy conversation was spurned by a Magnum advertisement plastered on the said bench, as directors/writers Scott Beck and Bryan Woods establish these characters as young and naive, juxtaposed against frank sexuality, a generally unfamiliar subject outside of their worldview.
They ride around a midsized township somewhere in the Western United States or Canada (actually filmed in British Columbia) on their bicycles while trying to inspire John and Jane Q. Citizens with the words of the Mormon church. The ladies are kind and trusting but also vulnerable, which becomes apparent when some teenagers play a mean prank on them in broad daylight.
If only the embarrassing joke had been their worst encounter on this fateful day. Later that afternoon, during their rounds, they knock on a front door and meet Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant), an amiable 50-something man who invites Paxton and Barnes into his home to listen to their pious pitch.
However, the wide-eyed missionaries don’t realize the dark and dangerous gradient they step into when entering Reed’s abode.
“Heretic” is an unsettling story, one that is quite conversational and rooted in leverage.
Reed offers polite pleasantries with a welcoming voice to put Paxton and Barnes at ease at first. Physically, he doesn’t appear to be a danger. However, his glasses have oversized lenses with inexpensive frames, and his discounted eyewear doesn’t exactly match his colloquial sophistication.
Given the age difference between the two parties, one might anticipate one of the ladies blurting out, with a similar cadence as Little Red Riding Hood, “Mr. Reed, what cheap glasses you have.”
Yes, Reed is a wolf in sheep’s “clothing” and has the upper hand due to his age. To use a sports metaphor, he also has a home-field advantage. Paxton and Barnes are the “Away Team.” They are far away from the confines of the church and their families as they lean on their limited experience, perhaps 18 or 19 years of life each.
For many women, “Heretic” will probably drive more anxiety than in most men due to the female situational vulnerabilities portrayed on screen. Still, the film will bring tension to male moviegoers too, including this one, who was glued to the screen for the 111-minute runtime. Granted, and as mentioned before, the screenplay bursts with lots of exposition as Mr. Reed opines about his passion for one particular subject – that veers into examples, like the board game Monopoly, actually – while simultaneously setting a trap for his new guests.
Thirty years ago, Grant’s exceptional oratory gifts made him a star, and he showcases his ubiquitous talent in this memorable villainous portrayal, a delicious departure from the way-back-when ‘Four Weddings’ and ‘Notting Hill’ days.
Meanwhile, East (23) and Thatcher (24) summon seemingly decades of emotions as Paxton and Barnes convey absolute fear and attempt to bury it with calm civility while planning their departure from the Reed residence. Reed, Paxton, and Barnes are entangled in a battle of wits and nerves, with the former pulling the strings (in the form of levers and dials) that release shocking surprises.
After watching ‘Heretic’, don’t be surprised if this haunting horror movie/think piece sticks with you, no matter where you are: sitting at home, traveling, or knocking on a stranger’s door.
3 out of 4 stars
Directed and written by: Scott Beck and Bryan Woods
Starring: Hugh Grant, Chloe East, and Sophie Thatcher
Runtime: 111 minutes
Rated: R
