Heretic (2024)

Heretic was the third widely popular horror film in 2024 that didn't work for me (after Late Night With the Devil and Longlegs) and my problems with each are similar. In each case there is a fascinating premise, shot in a truly engaging manner, featuring great casts, who third act (or second act - as in a two act play - in this case) just falls apart into a series of horror movie cliches and tropes that pull apart the threads of what made the ideas interesting in the first place. Heretic lost me about half way through and never was able to get me back as it became just another stereotypical thriller that was neither scary nor interesting. 

The first part had me going. Grant plays this well measured academic religion nerd ready to quite politely but forcefully debate and discuss with the young true believers (in this case Mormon missionaries) who have come to his door. Yes he's creepy but in that mansplainy way that men who think they have it all figured out can be. There are suggestions that he's not being completely honest with these inexperienced missionaries, who naturally are young women, which adds layers as it becomes a choose-the-bear-not-the-man sort of story and the game of cat and mouse can begin against the backdrop of a rather interesting discussion of religion as control. But then...

The film decides it's not just good enough to tell this story as a battle of wills and world views that might collide and potentially lead to ambiguity and doubt. It has to throw every horror movie cliche into the mix. From jump scares to horror basements (in an impossibly constructed house holding numerous prisoners) and people we thought were dead jumping back to life for one last strike. But the worst part is it jettisons any piece of what made it interesting in terms of theological debate. It attempts to tack some on at the end but it all feels too little too late as it simply becomes a final girl narrative. Even the final moment, the butterfly, is it there or is it imagined? it felt like so much of a cop out. The movie isn't prepared to commit to anything and try to be everything to everyone. That makes it feel like it's nothing to anyone. 

I want something more interesting when I see horror. Grant's character even promises this. He suggests that we (although he's talking to the girls) may be terrified and might even want to die. He's referring to contemplating the meaning (or lack there of) existence, the idea of societal control. But the film's elaborate and frankly just too convoluted to believe, kidnapper plot just never gets there leaving us nothing but creepy women in robes and cages, multiple stab wounds, and plenty of gore. But little to nothing to reflect on. 

Heretic

Starring: Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, Chloe East

Writer/Directors: Scott Beck, Bryan Woods