New to UK cinemas from today (Halloween) and arriving in the US from November 8th is the horror-thriller, Heretic. Written and directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, and starring Chloe East, Sophie Thatcher, Topher Grace, and Hugh Grant, the film follows the story of two young woman who find themselves in a dire situation.
In the movie, Sister Paxton and Sister Barnes are Mormon missionaries. They regularly travel out to meet people who have shown an interest in their religion, and take pleasure and pride in spreading the word of Jesus Christ.
One late afternoon, while nearing the end of their day, they call at the home of Mr. Reed. Reed has previously demonstrated a desire to learn more about their work, and they look forward to speaking to him.
As the Sisters arrive outside Mr. Reed’s house, they chain up their bicycles to the gate, before knocking on his front door. At that, the heavens open, the rain begins to pour down, and a very charming Mr. Reed appears.
With the weather taking a dire turn, Reed invites the Sisters inside. However, both Sister Paxton and Sister Barnes are reluctant to enter, as it is against their beliefs to speak about their religion without a woman present.
Not to worry, Mr. Reed is married, his wife is in the kitchen cooking pie, and both would be interested in everything the Sisters have to say. With an invitation like that, and a desire to get out of the rain, Sisters Paxton and Barnes enter Mr. Reed’s house… but quickly come to regret it.
Now, I don’t think it takes a genius to suggest there is something wrong with Mr. Reed and something equally worrying inside his house. Heretic is a horror-thriller after all, and the above premise has RED FLAG written all over it.
Thing is, the sinister situation isn’t being hidden from the audience. Anyone watching the opening set-up to Heretic will be screaming at the screen, telling the sisters not to go inside.
But this is the point. Heretic makes it clear something bad is going to happen, then poses the questions: Who is Mr. Reed, what are his intentions, and will the Sisters ever leave the house once they step inside?
These questions form the vast majority of Heretic’s story, which is a tale about beliefs, faith, and survival. Heretic is also a huge game of cat and mouse, with Mr. Reed playing the part of the feline and Sisters Paxton and Barnes the bewildered mice.
Hugh Grant takes on the role of Mr. Reed and believe me when I say his performance is a career best. Yes, I know he was brilliant in Paddington 2 (2014), and marvellous in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023), but in Heretic he really cranks things up to a new level.
As Reed, Grant initially walks a fine line between being warm and welcoming, and intrusive and over friendly. It’s clear something dark hides behind his ever-present smile and fuzzy cardigan, but whatever it is, Grant keeps it in check with a well-executed performance.
And with Grant doing his thing as Reed, it’s up to Sister Paxton (Chloe East) and Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) to attempt to escape from a seemingly nightmare situation. Once they are in the house it becomes increasingly obvious they are going to have difficulty leaving.
The film continually presents them with options, but keeps them stuck in a no-win scenario. Whatever choices they are given, or whatever decisions they make, something bad is just around the corner.
All of this makes for an incredibly compelling watch, and a nerve-shredding experience too. Then to add to this, the film chucks in some fascinating discussions about religion, beliefs, and everything in between.
One of the great things about Heretic is just how simple it is. The are some strong ideas in here and they are superbly implemented.
But the film works as well as it does because it utilises suspense and terror in an easy to understand way. It sets out what it wants to do and then works out how to unsettle and unnerve.
It’s also worth noting this isn’t a lavish picture, with a big cast and even bigger budget. This is small scale horror which knows it needs to work with its environment and its characters to deliver the scares.
The studio behind this film, A24, has produced some brilliant movies in recent years, including Civil War, Talk to Me, Hereditary, and The Iron Claw, amongst others, and Heretic is another gem to add to this list. A24 is the studio that continues to deliver, and proves you don’t need mega bucks to make an impact.
Whether you’re looking for a great horror for Halloween or you just want a great horror in general, Heretic is the film to watch. For me, this is the best horror of 2024 and one of the best movies of the year.
From start to finish it holds the attention and tells a story which just keeps unravelling in strange and terrifying ways. Hugh Grant is superb, as are Chloe East and Sophie Thatcher, and the film is a must-see.
__
__
Thank you for taking the time to read this review on It’s A Stampede!. For more reviews, check out the recommended reads below.
It's A Stampede! 
Leave a comment