Two young religious women are drawn into a game of cat-and-mouse in the house of a strange man.Two young religious women are drawn into a game of cat-and-mouse in the house of a strange man.Two young religious women are drawn into a game of cat-and-mouse in the house of a strange man.
- Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
- 30 nominations total
Carolyn Adair
- Driver with Car
- (uncredited)
River Codack
- Missionary #1 (Elder Simmons)
- (uncredited)
- Directors
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Summary
Reviewers say 'Heretic' is a thought-provoking film exploring faith and control, featuring Hugh Grant's standout performance. The intelligent dialogue and atmospheric tension are praised, especially in the first half. However, some find the second half less compelling as it shifts to conventional horror, losing initial depth. The ending is contentious, with mixed reactions to its predictability. Despite criticisms, the film is appreciated for its premise and performances, though it may not satisfy pure horror enthusiasts.
Featured reviews
This was an engrossing and intriguing movie. It played with tropes and mixed them up.
Annoying missionaries, and to the missionaries the annoying 'customer' who wants to debate at length.
The film played expertly with the sense of unknown and the accompanying dread that was created from it.
Hugh Grant's Mr Reed playing so well at walking the line but not crossing it. Moving things forward without giving an inkling of where it was going. Giving the impression of choice but was there really any?
Where it faltered for me was in the 3rd act where it revealed probably too much about him. Just another nutter, but wouldn't it have been cool if we were never quite sure.
I loved that they toyed with the current dilemma of not know who to trust about what. Things seems bad but then they gave a plausible explanation etc etc. We're engulfed in it and there is no clear sign that one party still holds to reason logic and honest over the other.
A world of Plausible lies, or is it the truth? You simply can't tell any more.
The script was detailed and pop culture referential.
Lots of clever asides, ("You're thinking of the butterfly effect").
I liked the ambiguity a lot, and the central "what's in the afterlife" conundrum, or was Reed basing his con on that set up? It was intriguing, and I was buying it.
It was almost a runaway original and innovative great script apart from a handful of loose end points which took it down several notches from the very high standard it set for itself.
Where it fell down was the very quick lesson about "the one true god". I didn't follow the reasoning and up to this point it played very well. Then the caged entourage who "do it willingly"? That was an interesting point not sold very well either. I loved how it tied to the following of religion, but it lost me here too.
And the final failing was the saviour who managed to bleed out but then climb several stairs deliver a death blow, although it wasn't clear what Reed was trying to do at this point anyway, and then he passed away.
This could have been a timeless great movie if they'd managed to solve a few niggling contrivances.
As it was it was better for the questions it asked, thought experiments and warping tropes.
Annoying missionaries, and to the missionaries the annoying 'customer' who wants to debate at length.
The film played expertly with the sense of unknown and the accompanying dread that was created from it.
Hugh Grant's Mr Reed playing so well at walking the line but not crossing it. Moving things forward without giving an inkling of where it was going. Giving the impression of choice but was there really any?
Where it faltered for me was in the 3rd act where it revealed probably too much about him. Just another nutter, but wouldn't it have been cool if we were never quite sure.
I loved that they toyed with the current dilemma of not know who to trust about what. Things seems bad but then they gave a plausible explanation etc etc. We're engulfed in it and there is no clear sign that one party still holds to reason logic and honest over the other.
A world of Plausible lies, or is it the truth? You simply can't tell any more.
The script was detailed and pop culture referential.
Lots of clever asides, ("You're thinking of the butterfly effect").
I liked the ambiguity a lot, and the central "what's in the afterlife" conundrum, or was Reed basing his con on that set up? It was intriguing, and I was buying it.
It was almost a runaway original and innovative great script apart from a handful of loose end points which took it down several notches from the very high standard it set for itself.
Where it fell down was the very quick lesson about "the one true god". I didn't follow the reasoning and up to this point it played very well. Then the caged entourage who "do it willingly"? That was an interesting point not sold very well either. I loved how it tied to the following of religion, but it lost me here too.
And the final failing was the saviour who managed to bleed out but then climb several stairs deliver a death blow, although it wasn't clear what Reed was trying to do at this point anyway, and then he passed away.
This could have been a timeless great movie if they'd managed to solve a few niggling contrivances.
As it was it was better for the questions it asked, thought experiments and warping tropes.
I enjoyed this a lot.
It's creepy and sinister and had me guessing right up to the climax.
Hugh grant is really excellent. He is darkly mischievous, charming and unsettling. Both Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East give fantastic turns too and are ably directed by the duo of Scott Beck and Bryan Woods who craft a really sinister feeling movie.
It's an atheists wet dream and some of the exposition will trouble people of all kinds of faiths but it isn't really a critique of religion so much as an in depth look at manipulation, psychology and the impressionable nature of the human condition.
It's unlike anything I've seen and I enjoyed it quite a lot.
It's creepy and sinister and had me guessing right up to the climax.
Hugh grant is really excellent. He is darkly mischievous, charming and unsettling. Both Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East give fantastic turns too and are ably directed by the duo of Scott Beck and Bryan Woods who craft a really sinister feeling movie.
It's an atheists wet dream and some of the exposition will trouble people of all kinds of faiths but it isn't really a critique of religion so much as an in depth look at manipulation, psychology and the impressionable nature of the human condition.
It's unlike anything I've seen and I enjoyed it quite a lot.
Heretic is as unpredictable as it is messy. While the film keeps you on edge for most of its runtime, the plot begins to fizzle out in the final act.
Hugh Grant delivers a standout performance, with Sophie Thatcher and Cloe East also shining in their roles. The director, cinematographer, and set designer deserve credit too, as they gradually immerse you into the growing madness of Grant's character and his eerie home.
Unfortunately, the plot is the film's weakest point. The tension and mystery build beautifully at first, but around the two-thirds mark, it starts to unravel. The climax left me slightly underwhelmed, as I was expecting something more profound. Still, 'Heretic' is an excellent horror film in its own right - enjoyable, but not quite as memorable as I had hoped.
Hugh Grant delivers a standout performance, with Sophie Thatcher and Cloe East also shining in their roles. The director, cinematographer, and set designer deserve credit too, as they gradually immerse you into the growing madness of Grant's character and his eerie home.
Unfortunately, the plot is the film's weakest point. The tension and mystery build beautifully at first, but around the two-thirds mark, it starts to unravel. The climax left me slightly underwhelmed, as I was expecting something more profound. Still, 'Heretic' is an excellent horror film in its own right - enjoyable, but not quite as memorable as I had hoped.
Hugh Grant ventures into the dense world of theological debate, tackling themes rarely covered on mainstream film. The film is undeniably intriguing, pulling viewers into complex discussions that feel both timeless and urgent. Yet, as I watched, I found myself grappling with an elusive question: was The Heretic a compelling film or merely an ambitious attempt that fell short?
Grant's performance is engaging, but there's an intangible quality missing, something that keeps the movie from fully resonating. Perhaps it's Grant himself, who doesn't quite shed his familiar charm to embody a character steeped in philosophical conflict. Alternatively, it might be the script, which seems torn between delivering an engaging story with a profound message and indulgent lecture through Grant as the medium. This identity crisis leaves the film feeling somewhat ungrounded, making The Heretic a fascinating watch but ultimately difficult to categorise as either wholly successful or lacking.
The supporting cast did an excellent job in quite difficult roles for them to play alongside Grant as the lead.
Grant's performance is engaging, but there's an intangible quality missing, something that keeps the movie from fully resonating. Perhaps it's Grant himself, who doesn't quite shed his familiar charm to embody a character steeped in philosophical conflict. Alternatively, it might be the script, which seems torn between delivering an engaging story with a profound message and indulgent lecture through Grant as the medium. This identity crisis leaves the film feeling somewhat ungrounded, making The Heretic a fascinating watch but ultimately difficult to categorise as either wholly successful or lacking.
The supporting cast did an excellent job in quite difficult roles for them to play alongside Grant as the lead.
In Heretic, Hugh Grant (Mr. Reed) gives one of the best performances of the year. He is very unnerving in this role and that alone is worth the price of admission to see. I hope this isn't a one and done for him because we need him in more horror movies, he is a natural. Sophie Thatcher (Sister Barnes) and Chloe East (Sister Paxton) give top notch performances as well. This is a very religious horror movie. It is a dialogue heavy film, which I personally enjoyed but some people might not. It doesn't rely on cheap jump scares because just Hugh talking in this film can send chills down your spine. Could've been better towards the end but this is still a solid entry into the genre.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaHugh Grant once stated in an interview "I'm getting bored of playing obvious roles and being typecast." Writer/directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods saw this interview and wrote the character of Mr. Reed with Hugh as their top choice for the role.
- GoofsA woman who was starved and in a weakened state as the captive women were wouldn't have had the strength to open the metal trap door, move the dead weight of a dead body and dump it down the shaft. Also the body was not near the base of the ladder so it would have had to have been dragged after being dropped. All that would have had to have been accomplished without making noise to alert the girls that it was happening.
- Quotes
Mr. Reed: [air quoting] You know, "With great power comes great responsibility."
Sister Paxton: Spider-Man.
Mr. Reed: Voltaire.
Sister Paxton: Right.
- Crazy creditsThe end credits state that no Generative Al was used in the making of the film.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Movie Reviews: Heretic | The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (2024)
- SoundtracksJust Like a Butterfly (That's Caught in the Rain)
Performed by Ipana Troubadours
Written by Harry M. Woods (as Harry Woods) and Mort Dixon
Published by Callicoon Music (ASCAP), Bienstock Publishing Company obo Redwood Music Ltd. (PRS), Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (PRS)
Courtesy of Columbia Records
By arrangement with Sony Music Entertainment (Canada)
- How long is Heretic?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $10,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $27,986,380
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $10,829,810
- Nov 10, 2024
- Gross worldwide
- $59,788,342
- Runtime1 hour 51 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
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