Heretic
Directed by Scott Beck, Bryan WoodsA diabolical Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant) ensnares two young missionaries in his terrifying game of cat-and-mouse when they knock on the wrong door and are forced to prove their faith.
Cast of Heretic
Heretic Ratings & Reviews
- angelc8942July 24, 2025Good movie. Makes you think a lot about all religions
- rg9400December 10, 2024Another excellent horror-thriller in a year rife with them. Heretic is a Hitchcock-esque movie, centered around a limited cast in a limited setting with its narrative thrust centered around dialogue-driven tension. Similar setups in recent years include 10 Cloverfield Lane, Split, and a host of others. Bafflingly, the movie opens up a weirdly comedic scene centered on sex whose purpose still eludes me. However, it quickly shifts to Hugh Grant's strange house. Most of the movie centers around him throwing religious thought experiments at the two young missionaries, trying to play mind games with them. As the movie ventures deeper and deeper into his house, things become more unsettling as both the viewer and the characters try to figure out exactly what he wants. The movie takes a lot of twists and turns, but most of it revolves around this dynamic of Hugh Grant's character trying to make some sort of elusive point to these characters. I was not expecting philosophical and religious discussions to be so integral to the movie. While the movie doesn't have jump scares, it does a great job of building atmosphere through its setting and dialogue. At times, the movie can feel a bit far-fetched and over-the-top, but not in a way that broke my immersion. Finally, while the trio of Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, and Chloe East may not have the eye-catching style of acting that anchored a lot of the other excellent horror movies this year, all three of them are great at subtly enhancing their characters. Hugh Grant does an excellent job at playing polite and kind while maintaining that constant sense of creepiness, and Sophie Thatcher's dread and frustration are palpable throughout. However, it is Chloe East who steals the show, managing to cover and convey a wide spectrum of emotions through the entire runtime of the movie. If you enjoy these limited cast, limited setting, dialogue driven thrillers a la Hitchcock, or if you just want to watch a lot of discussions around religion, I highly recommend Heretic.
- Nathan MagretaJuly 17, 2025Really impactful, really thrilling, really good film with great acting.
- DJNovember 16, 2024Absolutely excellent film and beautifully shot. Every word had a meaning so pay full attention to all details. I would rate Grants performance with Lithgow from Dexter. Full dread from minute 1 until the end. Also, if religious topics are your cup of tea this will knock your socks off. Best film of 2024.
- M08YJuly 17, 2025The first half of Heretic almost scratches gold. It really does. Unfortunately it doesnt quite last. The latter half of Heretic feels unrefined. It's like all of the focus and intrigue was used up in the first half, devolving into a rather predictable and dark (visually) dissapointment. Seriously, I watched this in daytime and the slightest reflection on my screen rendered scenes unwatchable. The real stand out for this film is the cast. Hugh Grant is absolutely mesmerising, everything about his performance is uncomfortable, he is absolutely terrifying without laying a finger on you. Grant's laid back and polite vibe turns increasingly menacing the longer you are with him. Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East both turn in a good performance with much of Thatcher's Sister Barnes feeling like it was left on the cutting room floor. In conclusion, the lack of focus in the latter half of the film really does hold it back from being excellent. Grant's performance is well worth giving Heretic a try.
- Azrael_FornivaldJune 10, 2025It was like watching a Reddit atheist's wet dream. The horror elements were ok, but not worth the watch.
- Matthias_812April 2, 2025Challenging the perceptions of beliefs, Heretic is the latest a24 joint among a recent burst of religion-centric horror. I love how convincing this can be and challenges the audience to consider from other viewpoints. Hugh Grant was incredible, humble yet uncomfortable at the same time. This thing takes off where you wouldn't expect, it gets real interesting, sadly felt like the ending was a cop out which only diminishes the experience holding it back from further heights.
- 匚卂尺ㄥFebruary 7, 2025A masterclass in acting from Hugh Grant, whose choices of roles in the second part of his career have been staggeringly good. While he was always good as the charming fop he usually played in romantic comedies, his more recent roles have revealed what a deep layer of talent and variety he possesses. Chloe East's performance as Sister Paxton is also a marvelous character arc. No spoilers, but she changes over the course of the story, and I couldn't point to a specific moment when it happened. The photography and score heighten the suspense very effectively. But we really are watching this for Grant, and his Mr. Reed is incredibly nuanced and accomplishes the changes from warmth, to unsettling, to terrifying with the smallest facial movements and inflections of tone. It's a very contained but scary villain. Highly recommended!
- AngusMcNutzNovember 27, 2024Hugh Grant, stopping people outside a 7-11 at 1 am: "Hey man, you ever think about like, God and like, capitalism and society?" He clearly had fun with this role, though. And its the only thing that will help you maintain focus through this trench of a plot
- stuhannafordMay 12, 2025Whilst it perhaps loses its way a little in the final act, Grant’s devilish performance keeps you at the edge of your seat throughout. You are kept guessing about the true nature of ‘truth’, swayed backwards and forwards from door to door, between good and evil, or real and imagined. The build up to the film’s climax is so strong that inevitably, it fails to live up to expectations, but is a film worthy of a second viewing.
- Kevin WardJuly 1, 2025Oooh this is my sh🤩. Loved every second of this dialogue driven thriller that’s almost like an iteration of Saw, but for religious ideologists. Such a twisted and clever almost philosophical exploration of faith and belief, as well as the role of religion as a means of control. Hugh Grant is excellent but I loved both Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East. Religious horror bias, but this also has one of my other favorite horror tropes. 🤫 Some creative camera work in a few pivotal moments were really cleverly conceived. Thrilling from start to finish. I was so locked in I didn’t even recognize Topher Grace until I saw his name in the credits. Bonus points for the delicious slice of blueberry pie at our screening. That is definitely a first. Highly recommend. Make it a double feature with Conclave, perhaps.
- dre18104July 14, 2025Great premise. Strong performances from the three main characters. Hugh Grant is excellent. As an aside Mormon missionaries knocked on my door manger years ago and asked me if I believed in Jesus. I invited them on for a cup of tea They refused!.
- ganjalf1April 26, 2025Heretic starts off incredibly strong: dark, obscure, and packed with suspense. The atmosphere pulls you in right away, keeping you on edge and guessing. As the story moves toward the end, though, it does lose a bit of its momentum, feeling slightly less tight and intense. That said, I really appreciated the open-ended nature of the conclusion; it invites interpretation and leaves you thinking long after the credits roll. Overall, a gripping and memorable experience, even if it stumbles slightly before the finish line.
- jackmeatMarch 26, 2025My quick rating - 6.9/10. Scott Beck and Bryan Woods deliver a well-crafted psychological horror in Heretic (2024), a tense and gripping tale that explores faith, manipulation, and survival. Starring Sophie Thatcher as Sister Barnes and Chloe East as Sister Paxton, the film follows two young missionaries who unwittingly step into the lair of Mr. Reed, played by a chillingly diabolical Hugh Grant. What starts as a routine house call quickly devolves into a deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film does a remarkable job of drawing us into Mr. Reed’s twisted narrative. The dialogue is sharp and engaging, making every interaction feel weighty with subtext. The tension builds steadily, and the movie kept me hooked, feeding you small but tantalizing pieces of the mystery as it unfolds. Even with its confined setting, mostly within the walls of Mr. Reed’s house, there is always a sense of hidden depth, something yet to be discovered. Visually, the film excels. The house itself, along with its eerie model counterpart, is wonderfully designed and adds an extra layer of unease. It’s a shame they didn’t utilize these elements a bit more, as they had great potential to elevate the psychological horror aspect even further. The performances are what really made this flick. Grant embodies a menacing yet charismatic antagonist, his portrayal of Mr. Reed both captivating and unsettling. Thatcher and East do a fantastic job as the reluctant heroines, bringing vulnerability to their roles, making their characters’ plight all the more compelling. However, where the film slightly falters is in its conclusion. Without spoiling anything, the ending felt like it could have been “more.” While the buildup was strong, the resolution seemed to take the easier route instead of something more profound or impactful. It’s possible that my expectations were steering the story in a different direction in my head, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was a missed opportunity to deliver something even greater. Despite this, Heretic remains a solid psychological horror entry, effectively keeping its audience on edge throughout. Had I completed my top ten list for last year, this would have likely made the cut. Beck and Woods have certainly demonstrated their skill in crafting tight, well-edited scenes and keeping the suspense taut. If you’re a fan of slow-burn tension and sinister mind games, Heretic is well worth your time.
- sgam79June 22, 2025Disappointed. Thought that this would have a much better story line. Hmm it’s ok but pretty mediocre
