Susan Granger’s review of “Heretic” (A24)
I’m not a great fan of the horror genre but I’m a steadfast admirer of actor Hugh Grant’s decision to demonstrate his versatility by playing villains (“Paddington 2,” Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves”), rather than charmingly stumbling, bumbling romantic leads (“Love Actually,” “Notting Hill,” etc.).
“Heretic” begins as two young missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – ardent, innocent Sister Paxton (Chloe East) and steadfast, stoic Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) – trudge through a Colorado ski town, trying – without success – to strike up conversations with passers-by about their faith.
Following up on an ‘interested prospect,’ they arrive on the doorstep of Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant). Since he’s receptive and it’s starting to rain, they agree to come in – but only if he’ll summon his wife because it’s necessary that a woman be present.
After learning that his shy wife is in the kitchen baking a blueberry pie, they enter and begin their well-rehearsed message, only to discover genial Mr. Reed knows a great deal about the Book of Mormon, pulling out a large leather-bound volume of the church’s foundational scripture with Post-It notes stuck to pages.
Wary but hoping he’ll be a good prospect for baptism, they parry uncomfortable questions about polygamy and founder Joseph Smith, still waiting for Mrs. Reed and blueberry pie.
Predictably, they discover there’s no wife after they’re lured into a labyrinthine yet claustrophobic basement with sinister doors labeled ‘belief’ and ‘disbelief.’ There’s a trap with no escape.
Written and directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, it’s a dialogue-driven psychological thriller, engendering discomfort and dread, with Grant as a malevolent predator, examining the power and control wielded by religion, utilizing allusions to Monopoly and Radiohead’s “Creep.”
But – as the ‘trio talk’ about theology thickens – tedium sets in, along with impatience at the smarmy manipulation and a seemingly endless intellectual dissection of worldwide spiritual beliefs, not to mention the graphic, intense violence.
On the Granger Gauge of 1 to 10, “Heretic” is a fiendishly fizzling 4, playing in theaters.
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