A taut, compelling psychological thriller cum horror, Heretic concerns a couple of Church of Latter-Day Saints’ missionaries who knock on the wrong door.
Both Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East) are relatively wet behind the ears.
Still, Sister Barnes already has eight or nine converts to her name, while Sister Paxton hasn’t baptised any.
A man who has expressed interest in the church is Mr Reed (Hugh Grant).
Sister Barnes and Sister Paxton are assigned to meet him at his remote home.
They arrive when a fierce storm has closed in and neither has an umbrella.
Wet and cold, Mr Reed invites them in.
They explain that usual practice is to have a woman present.
Mr Reed assures them that his wife is home, so in they go.
But what they encounter once inside is hardly what they were expecting.
Mr Reed appears to be a skilled theologist, who knows much about the Church and other religions.
He starts quizzing them about their beliefs, until it becomes clear he doesn’t believe in any religion.
As the women start to feel increasingly uncomfortable, Mr Reed ups his psychological game.
When they try to leave via the front door, the way they came in, they find that the door is locked.
He tells them that it is subject to a timing lock and it won’t open until the following day.
Nevertheless, he assures them that they are free to exit via the back door, only when they choose that route their predicament worsens.
It is then they become seriously concerned that they won’t get out of their alive.
Written and directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, the pair previously co-wrote A Quiet Place (2018), with John Krasinksi.
Heretic is a very clever script that is well executed.
It draws you in and holds you tight, as Mr Reed tries to outsmart the two women.
The language Mr Reed uses helps give him authority, but as time passes the discomfort on the Sisters’ faces reveals their increasing alarm.
The tension builds as the screws are turned.
Cinematographer Chung-hoon Chung (It – 2017) has given Heretic a claustrophobic feel.
His camera regularly closes in on the key characters’ faces.
Grant is excellent as the self-serving enforcer who relishes playing with his prey.
Thatcher and East impress. They bring appropriate naivete to their respective roles.
Of course, the devil is in the detail, namely in how the Sisters fight back.
Heretic is what I would term a conundrum movie, one where you place yourself in the position of the two women and wonder what you could or should do.
So, ready yourself for some intellectual gymnastics and sleight of hand.
Rated MA, Heretic scores a 7½ out of 10.
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