The whip-smart chamber piece that is the first hour of “Heretic” only serves to make its second act all the more disappointing. That’s not to say it isn’t enjoyable or well done, it’s just that co-writers and directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods start off their thinking person’s horror film with a genre-redefining, philosophical depth that devolves into a dark, creepy basement cliché when they can’t quite decide where to end their story (or grow too timid to take it any further). This is a button-pushing movie for sure, and its cerebral exploration of religion, faith, and the afterlife will definitely give audiences something to talk about.
The film tells the (mostly plausible) story of two Mormon missionaries, Sister Paxton (Chloe East) and Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher), who are on a routine assignment during a very nasty storm. Not letting ominous rain and lightning get in their way of spreading the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the two young women eagerly stop by the home of Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant), a highly intelligent religious scholar who has previously expressed his interest in learning more about joining the Church. As they are welcomed inside his home, the Sisters soon learn that their host is far more dangerous than they could have anticipated, and they find themselves trapped at the mercy of the increasingly menacing man.
It’s a plausible premise that’s chilling, and the story works so well — until it doesn’t. Beck and Woods incorporate weighty subjects like the nature of faith, validity of religious beliefs, and the concept of life after death in a way that pushes the audience to question their own convictions. This is a film that is provocative and divisive, especially as faith is challenged via the intellectual confrontation and deep discussion of existential questions between the three main characters.
Using dialogue and philosophical debate to goad and unsettle, the film works best when it is a psychological thriller. When it turns to a highly anticlimactic third act, some of the more intelligent and interesting narrative threads are left unresolved and the ideological battles that create the bulk of the story’s intensity completely fizzle out. The eventual conclusion is the only thing I didn’t like about this movie, though, and most of it is insightful as well as entertaining.
Thatcher and East, both raised as LDS when they were children, bring an authenticity to their roles that feels so real. They are both terrific, holding their own against a career-best turn from Grant. Known for his charming and good-natured roles, Grant’s menacing portrayal of a psychopathic genius is something different for him, which makes his award-worthy performance all the more surprising. His transformation into a chilling, manipulative figure just goes to show that a smart and unhinged villain can be even more terrifying than the typical horror movie slasher.
I admire what Beck and Woods have done with “Heretic,” and their film stands out from mainstream horror with its focus on ideas rather than gore (don’t worry, genre fans: there’s plenty of blood here) and cheap jump scares. While the ending isn’t satisfying, the sparks of dark humor, suspenseful atmosphere, strong performances, and substantive themes make this a fresh and intellectually stimulating horror film that attempts to go beyond the conventional. And there’s a lot to respect about that.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 