Heretic review: Scott Beck & Bryan Woods' Heretic is profoundly sinister and unsettling
The movie begins with Sister Paxton (Chloe East) and Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher), two young missionaries, riding bikes through a western Colorado village to share their faith in Jesus Christ. They knock on Mr. Reed's door as they go from house to house sharing their faith in Jesus Christ. Reed graciously invites the two girls into his home as the rain begins and the weather appears to become unyielding, and the girls enter the house carrying their religious pamphlets.
After making them feel at home, Mr. Reed gradually begins the conversation on religion and faith. The conversation and dispute between these two young missionaries and a middle-aged man who appears to know more about the idea of religion and isn't afraid to call out perceived contradictions and hypocrisies in them makes up the first half of Heretic. However as the narrative progresses both young missionaries realise that this middle-aged, modest man is, in fact, incredibly dishonest and has personal motivations for promoting his religious beliefs.
Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, who also co-wrote and co-directed the film, both did a fantastic job in the first half. While these three individuals discuss their opinions on religion, viewers are also prompted to consider other viewpoints on the same religion. As the story takes several unexpected turns & twists in the second half, movie gradually enters the realm of terror.bThe movie also depicts the wide range of fear that two girls experience in this stay at this stranger's house, frequently through facial expressions and succinct responses as they attempt to use their silence to avoid awkward conversations about religious beliefs and the many parallels and discrepancies between different religions throughout human history. Both actresses had performed admirably with their subdued body language, displaying increasing anxiety in response to fresh enquiries concerning their religious convictions. The unique character attributes of these sisters also contribute to the increased fascination.
Hugh Grant does a fantastic job portraying a straightforward man who conceals his sinister, diabolical side behind his endearing grin. In order to come out as a charming, innocuous man, he largely keeps his distance from the girls. Additionally, Heretic deviates from conventional and overdone horror scenes. Particularly in the opening half of the movie, Scott Beck and Bryan Woods have created several inventive camera moves. With such unusual camera angles and numerous close-ups, they give the audience a claustrophobic and uneasy feeling.
However, the film begins to lose its effect in the third act, when it abandons logic in favour of convention in the last 15 minutes of its length. There is also a brief subplot that is supposed to make the film more exciting, but it adds little. Regardless of its limitations, Heretic remains a unique psychological thriller that is well worth your time.
Cast: Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, Chloe East
Writers: Scott Beck, Bryan Woods
Director: Scott Beck, Bryan Woods
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