Spoilers don’t trust people who only read one book.

Religion is one of the prickiest subjects on the planet. The dogma of most religions advocates for peace and love, but it also includes dire warnings and even threats against straying from the path. It is those warnings and threats, explained in very graphic detail, that seem to stir zealots into calls for condemnation and punishment. In the most extreme cases, radical fundamentalists believe it’s their sacred duty to carry out the punishment. This is why I believe religious texts should have warning labels and disclaimers. Oh yes, let’s talk about the movie now.

(Credit: A24)

Heretic (2024) is written and directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods. Young Mormon missionaries Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East) are visiting houses to try to bring people to their local church. Barnes is the more confident and outspoken one, while Chloe is more naive and introverted. They arrive at the secluded house of Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant), who invites them in with the promise that his wife is in the kitchen baking a blueberry pie. He then explains he’s somewhat of a self-taught scholar as they debate religion. Reed’s arguments and commentary slowly become more uncomfortable. As he leaves the room for moment, the girls start doubting their host and realize they’re trapped without a phone signal.

Unsurprisingly, it’s Hugh Grant’s performance as Mr. Reed that steals the show here. Yes, there is a rare and even refreshing open talk about religion, but you can also tell early on that the young missionaries are out of their depth. Reed knows this subject backwards and forwards. A few bible verses are not going to cut it here. It is when he slowly turns up the creep factor to 11 that we realize we’ve already met the monster in this film.

It works in a lot of aspects. The threat of what’s coming is actually a lot better than the outcome itself. There is a sense of dread as Reed talks and the girls’ attempts to get the upper hand fail. The outcome doesn’t quite deliver the payback but I can’t help but be entertained by Reed as he calmly explains that is what he expected. Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East also do a terrific job in conveying fear as they scramble to formulate a plan. The biggest letdown is probably the parts in which the film reverts to regular fright. Don’t expect a big reveal in the finale.

Highly recommended with reservations. Grant’s performance alone is worth the price of admission, but don’t rule out Thatcher or East. The biggest letdown is when the film enters its final act, with a lukewarm outcome. I yearned for a confrontation that matched the tone of the first half, but alas it was not meant to be. Still worth a watch with the right audience.

That will do for now.