Older stars lose their youthful veneer however typically achieve one thing particular within the course of.
Examples? Kevin Costner, Jean Good and Pierce Brosnan have solely gotten higher with age. Add Hugh Grant to that listing.
The befuddled hero from 1994’s “4 Weddings and a Funeral” is exhibiting exceptional vary as he enters his 60s. He not too long ago stole 2023’s “Wonka” as the only Oompa Loompa. Earlier than that, he left us shaken with Max’s “The Undoing” (2020).
Now, he’s giving two Mormon missionaries the fright of their lives in “Heretic.” The non secular thriller can’t fairly shut the deal, however Grant’s deft efficiency is one for the ages.
And, sure, you received’t discover “Heretic” taking part in at any Mormon gathering or non secular retreat.
Sister Barnes and Sister Paxton (Sophie Thatcher, Chloe East) are spreading the great phrase once they knock on the door of a kindly gentleman named Mr. Reed (Grant). Sister Paxton is comically naive about, effectively, all the pieces. Sister Barnes is aware of slightly extra concerning the secular world.
However not a lot.
Collectively, they’re desirous to spend time with Mr. Reed, assuming he can coax his spouse into the lounge. They’re not allowed to talk to a person with no lady current.
Mrs. Reed is busy baking a blueberry pie within the kitchen. That offers her husband sufficient time to quiz the Sisters on their religion.
Boy, does he have numerous questions. A few of them make the women uncomfortable. Audiences will really feel the identical manner, and that sense of unease is simply starting.
Grant’s Mr. Reed is inquisitive and sort, stuffed with charming contradictions. He’s looking forward to a sturdy dialog on religion, however there’s one thing sinister lurking beneath that genial look.
Grant teases it out to perfection. He’s as scary as Freddy, Jason or Michael Myers, finally .. however possibly not Artwork the Clown.
Who’s, although?
Author/administrators Scott Beck and Bryan Woods (“A Quiet Place,” “Hang-out”) have a lot on their minds about religion, consumerism and western tradition. Their screenplay evokes board video games and musical lawsuits, catching us off guard.
Grant ties them into one, absurdist bow, by no means letting us overlook the darker themes in play.
It’s largely sensible and sobering, and if you happen to suspect the movie has one thing sinister to say about organized faith you’ve seen one too many Hollywood motion pictures. The story nonetheless received’t match into that neat, predictable field. And the journey is so intriguing you might not notice you’re a part of a cinematic finger wag.
Spectacular.
Like too many horror motion pictures, “Heretic” units up a beguiling premise however doesn’t fairly know the right way to wrap it up in compelling style. The third act feels extra like a standard horror movie, full with head-scratching twists and gore galore.
Beck and Woods are so firmly in command you’ll need to push previous the narrative chasms. Some are nonetheless an excessive amount of for any style fan to swallow. Others are absurd, however the devious manufacturing design lets us swallow the silliness complete.
“Heretic” unleashes on organized religion, however it does so in a manner that leaves some compelling wiggle room. That’s sensible and oddly satisfying, a case of lowered expectations from an business relentlessly cautious of non secular nods.
Nonetheless, it might be higher if Mr. Reed’s adversaries introduced one thing further to the dialog. They’re kind of rhetorical punching baggage, however the script empowers them in different methods.
The latter feels handy, not subversive.
That’s a disgrace. A extra strong third-act confrontation would have elevated “Heretic” above and past most style frights. As is, Grant’s transformative flip is greater than sufficient motive to advocate it.
HiT or Miss: “Heretic” provides star Hugh Grant his newest probability to shine, though you’d fortunately run away from his newest cinematic portrait.