If “A Quiet Place” — the screenplay that put writers Scott Beck and Bryan Woods on the map — was a quite tight-lipped, high-concept monster film during which the characters might barely communicate, “Heretic,” their newest movie, which they wrote and directed, is the other. This can be a talky chamber piece of philosophical face-offs, debate duels and wordy warfare, although the outcomes stay simply as harrowing.
The hazard of “Heretic” is nothing extraterrestrial, however quite the most typical and mundane of earthly predators: a person.
And what a person Beck and Woods have solid of their non secular horror movie, successfully weaponizing the befuddled British attraction of Hugh Grant, who has fumbled and grinned by such rom-com classics as “Notting Hill,” “Bridget Jones’s Diary” and plenty of extra. The genius of his efficiency in “Heretic” is that his method isn’t any completely different right here than in these different hits. It’s simply the character of the dialog — and what he’d love to do with ladies — that’s completely different.
The story begins with two younger Mormon ladies on a mission to baptize converts. Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher), savvy, road sensible and clad in black, is visually completely different from the bubbly, outgoing Sister Paxton (Chloe East) in her demure pink cardigan. The pair arrive on the distant Colorado doorstep of a Mr. Reed (Grant) on a wet afternoon as a result of he’s expressed curiosity within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and regardless of doing all the things proper, retaining their wits about them, they nonetheless find yourself in peril.
Chloe East, left, Hugh Grant and Sophie Thatcher within the film “Heretic.”
(Kimberley French / A24)
They enter this curious and claustrophobic house solely when Mr. Reed guarantees his spouse is baking a pie within the different room, however he attracts them into his labyrinth utilizing false guarantees and rhetorical workouts. At first, the women are solely at risk of being compelled to pay attention to at least one man’s extraordinarily pretentious opinions about faith, philosophy, tradition and, sure, pop music, which is terrifying in itself. For some, something that comes after such a torture would pale compared. However as a result of this can be a horror film, there are, in fact, extra instantly existential threats lurking behind doorways one and two. The humorous factor is that the designs Mr. Reed has in thoughts for these women are as spinoff and unoriginal as his monologues, and that’s form of the purpose.
As his questioning crosses taboos and limits, elevating Sister Barnes’ hackles, cinematographer Chung-hoon Chung’s digicam, which has been slicing between varied levels of close-up because the dialog progresses, breaks free from stasis. We float across the room like an invisible spider, circling and weaving this trio right into a diabolical net.
What’s scary is just not what Reed has in retailer for them, however how these younger ladies already know learn how to placate and navigate a Dangerous Man, learn how to “politely wrap this up.” He’s nothing new, simply extra noxious. Regardless of his perception that what he’s imparting is radical or insightful, his claims are banal, his strategies rudimentary, even the revelations about his intentions all too predictable. Beck and Woods don’t must dream up one thing alien when these sorts of garden-variety predators are widespread.
Moreover, although Mr. Reed presents himself as an intellectually superior theologian, gilding his carefully-choreographed arguments with props and theatrical thrives, the script itself doesn’t maintain him in the identical regard. It by no means condescends to Sisters Barnes and Paxton they usually all the time have sound rebuttals on the prepared; they’re additionally observant, sensible and canny. They’ll have to outwit him, initially, they usually show that they will.
“Heretic” excels on the power of its performances: Grant’s attraction offensive, Thatcher’s cautious knowingness and East’s potential to sofa Sister Paxton’s shocking strengths below her reserved mannerisms (this character is a extra sophisticated iteration of her fervent Jesus freak in “The Fabelmans”). For Mr. Reed to fulfill his match in these people-pleasing Mormons, victims he sought to control, coerce and dominate — effectively, there’s a gratification in that.
However as a result of “Heretic” is a style film, there are overwrought visible metaphors, implausible twists and an unlucky reliance on coincidence. The mechanics of the plot itself don’t fairly maintain up below scrutiny, which is a disgrace when the dialogue, performances and filmmaking craft are so tightly meshed, shifting in excellent sync. The general stress permits us to skim over the issues and foibles within the script, particularly when the decision is so hard-fought.
As a lecture on religion and ethics gone awry, “Heretic” is a narrative of perception versus disbelief. If there’s something we take away from this story, it’s not that religion is unhealthy or good, however that it exists within the eye of the beholder. And the one factor price believing in is your self.
‘Heretic’
Rated: R, for some bloody violence
Operating time: 1 hour, 50 minutes
Taking part in: In huge launch Friday, Nov. 8