“The Heretic” was released on Nov. 15, 2024. It was classified as a “horror” film. I prefer to use the term physiological horror. With Hugh Grant in a rare horror role, the film relies heavily on dialogue and slow-building tension rather than traditional scares, creating an atmosphere focused on psychological conflict rather than outright terror.

When you think of Hugh Grant, you probably envision him fumbling through romantic comedies or charming his way through a British drama. But, in “The Heretic”, he ditches his usual warmth for something far more unsettling. Grant takes on a twisted old man who is trapped in his own warped visions of faith known as Mr. Reed. Grant delivered a performance that was as mesmerizing as it was disturbing. 

Two young Mormon missionaries, Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and the reserved Sister Paxton (Chloe East), arrive at the home of Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant), a man whose outward charm hides his creepy agenda. Inviting them under an act of hospitality, Reed conversates with the missionaries in increasingly uncomfortable discussions about faith and belief. As the atmosphere becomes more tense, the two girls realize they are trapped in a psychological game where Reed’s manipulative tactics and ideologies force them to confront his question. Do you trust your beliefs or not?

The movie kicks off on a promising note, building you up with anticipation for something intriguing and interesting. However, as the story progresses, it goes downhill. Just when things should have intensified, the script regresses into constant talking and meaningless action, which almost made me fall asleep. The concept of exploring religious belief and disbelief might have been great on paper, but it failed miserably on screen, leaving you either yawning or tempted to abandon the movie altogether. 

“The Heretic” had all the making of a horror masterpiece. The blueprints were laid. An eerie and claustrophobic setting, an award-winning Hugh Grant and an interesting story. But all that talent is wasted on a script that stumbles over its own ideas, mistaking slow growing tension for useless dialogue and the genre horror for superficial and shallow philosophizing. There is no amount of acting that can elevate a plot that went around in circles.