Heretic (2004)

Review: written November 2024

Theological discourse to dread and terror in a few well executed moves

A low-key thriller with a small cast set in a small location, this claustrophobic movie is part tense psychological thriller and part theological discourse. Two young Mormons seek to make their quota, ending up on the doorstep of Hugh Grant’s “Mr. Reed” as a storm and downpour start. He accepts their invitation to hear more about their beliefs, and they accept his invitation to come in, mollified into doing so by his assertion his wife is inside baking a pie. Once inside he turns out to be a far keener scholar of theology than they suspected, and they start to notice clues in the house and his behaviour that start to make them question their decision to come inside, not least the notable absence of his wife. Inevitably, things take a turn for the worse. Traditionally for me, the necessary third act of horror movies where the questions you have are all answered, and the villain does what he has to do are normally a disappointment. While this movie doesn’t necessarily avoid that third act syndrome, it leaves enough for you to figure out yourself at the end to let the movie hang around long after the end credits.

To start with, I’d have to say, Hugh Grant is simply outstanding in this role – it’s his affable English gentleman persona that makes the young women’s decision to go in believable and leave you the audience questioning each look and glance all the more, far more effectively than if some more sinister looking actor had played the role. His charm and reasoned discourse become ever more chilling as the two Mormons are drawn deeper, both literally and figuratively, into his unusual abode. He’s not so much playing against type, as using his ‘type’ to make the shivers run up your spine when you get flashes that things might be going awry.

It's not just Grant that is on top form – the two younger leads effectively show their increasing disquiet, while never appearing as one note-zealots. They have some colour and background too, and even their opening chat and the way they speak is not wasted, already telling you a bit about these young disciples. Speaking of background, the production design of Grants claustrophobic and odd little house with its little surprises is brilliant, and like the movie itself leaves enough of a question mark as to what could be disturbing coincidence or an indication of planned malice, always helped by the equally claustrophobic and odd cinematography which makes even the occasionally lengthy talky bits riveting. The contrast of close up of faces belying hidden emotion to long looks down corridors shrouded in shadow, creates all the right notes of tension and ambiguity.

I found this both intellectually intriguing and emotionally chilling.. a really effective piece of filmmaking that manages to both go down the route of a chiller / thriller, while never resorting to histrionics or cheap jump scares. That it also creates enough musings on the origin or even purpose of religion to stimulate some heated conversations down the pub only makes it a better movie, in my opinion. Well worth a watch.