He’s a creep. He’s a
weirdo. He asks a pair of attractive young women, “How do you feel about polygamy”? I’m talking about
Hugh Grant as Mr. Reed in the new horror film Heretic. Menacing is an accurate description
of his character.
The young women he's addressing are missionaries sent
to recruit local souls for the Church of Latter Day Saints. Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister
Paxton (Chloe East) have been assigned to go door-knocking at the homes of those who
have expressed interest in their Church.
When we’re first introduced to the pair, they’re sitting on a bench
having an explicit conversation about sex. Then one
says to the other that they ‘really need to convert someone’. There must be a scoresheet somewhere, and the
women are just not on the scoreboard.
So, in a pouring rainstorm, they trundle their bicycles up
the steep outdoor stairs to the home of Mr. Reed, who, apparently has left his contact
information with the Church, claiming he was interested in buying what they
were selling. Homeowner Reed invites them in,
to get out of the storm. Initially the
pair refuse because, per Church regulations, it’s unseemly for them to be entering the home of an unattached
man. At that point, Reed intimates that
his wife is inside, baking a fresh pie. So,
over the threshold they pop.
Immediately upon entering, he tells the two that the walls and
ceiling have metal in them. Odd comment,
to say the least. The Sisters glance at
each other. But the enticing smell of
the pie beckons them further. The door
closes and locks behind them, the lights flicker, and the game of cat and mouse
begins.
Reed starts questioning them about their faith, stating “I
think it is good to be religious.” Wants
to know how devout they are. Inquires as to whether what they believe to be true is true because it’s been proven to them,
or do they just have faith that it's true. After taking their coats, he brings out various religious tomes, explaining that he’s done years of research
and investigation and has come up with a decision regarding belief and
iterations. That is, every religious story
is based on a previous story. And that
almost none of it is true, including the original tale. Depending on your viewpoint, Reed may not be
wrong about that.
Once he has them cornered, the mind games truly begin. The women quickly discover there is no pie,
there is no wife and there is no escape.
It’s all been a ruse to get them into his home to test out his theory
about miracles. He’s so smooth, it’s
apparent that he’s played this game many, many times before. The Sisters are just his latest victims.
Heretic had me spellbound. So many twists and turns, you never know
where the story was going. Blind alleys,
secret messages, hidden doorways. There’s
little gore, so don’t let that put you off.
It’s really one of the cleverest films in the horror genre that I can
recall. And Grant does it all with a
smug smile glued to his face.
Lisa Blanck is the Associate Editor / Movie Reviewer for In Focus-Magazine.com and is a member of the Critics Association of Central Florida. Her background includes 30+ years of digital editing for NBC and CBS News affiliates. She also edits national promotional spots for Matter Of Fact, the #1 nationally syndicated news & information program. For 30+ years she has covered the Florida Film Festival & the World Peace Film Festival, and has additional award-winning experience in advertising, marketing, promotions and live special events with MTV Networks.
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