Faith, Fear, and the Dark Side of Belief

Looking for the perfect film to watch at Genesis Cinema this month with your free Residential Life film ticket? Read Residential Assistant Aiman's film review for Heretic and get inspired!

A Quiet Place’ writers Scott Beck and Bryan Woods may be carving out a new name for themselves in the horror genre with the newly released horror film ‘Heretic’. With a cast featuring Hugh Grant, the movie generated buzz long before its premiere, sparking discussions on religion and showcasing the dark side of faith. Heretic will make you question intentions the next time you meet a seemingly kind gentleman or neighbour. After all, what do ‘bad guys’ really look like? Or act like?

The premise

The film unfolds at a deceptively warm grandpa’s home when two Mormon teens, Sister Barnes and Sister Paxton, knock on the wrong door. True to Mormon doctrine, the sisters hesitate to enter the home of a man alone, but Mr. Reed insists that his wife is “baking a pie” in the other room. With Grant's charm and the smell of blueberry pie in the air, it’s an irresistible offer for the young Mormon girls, who lower their guard and step inside. Mr. Reed himself ends up being a religious scholar and engages in a talk about faith with his guests. But when he drifts onto the topic of polygamy in the church of Latter-Day Saints, it becomes evident his intentions are anything but warm.

Reed turns out to be a villain - not a devil, but a far scarier “arrogant human.” The two young Mormons soon find themselves fighting for their faith and their lives. The writers cast a light on how secular society can be just as overbearing as the religious dogmas it criticises.

Direction and cinematography: themes of faith and doubt

Hugh Grant’s portrayal of Mr. Reed is both chilling and captivating, adding an unnerving edge to his character’s charisma. Grant, who has embraced darker roles recently, delivers his best work in years as a self-righteous scholar who sees himself as intellectually superior, convinced he alone understands the “truth” about faith. Sophie Thatcher as Sister Barnes and Chloe East as Sister Paxton are equally strong, particularly East’s nuanced performance as the more vulnerable Paxton, adding layers of resilience and inner conflict as she grapples with Reed’s manipulative mind games.

Reed’s confrontational questioning of religion against today’s pop culture backdrop makes the film profoundly discomforting. He wants his guests to acknowledge his “righteous” perspective and challenges them to question their beliefs. Setting up a game, he chalks out two “exit” doors labelled BELIEF and DISBELIEF, promising freedom if they choose correctly. But with trust shattered, can they really believe him?

From a cinematography standpoint, Heretic creates an unsettling atmosphere within Reed’s home. Cinematographer Chung-hoon Chung, known for The Handmaiden and Oldboy, amplifies the sense of dread through lingering close-ups and shadowy corridors, crafting a claustrophobic effect that mirrors the sisters’ fear. Dark hallways and tight framing create an intimate, intense feel, with shadows adding suspense. Chung’s approach traps the viewer with the characters, heightening tension and delivering a visceral experience.

Final thoughts

My hot take? Heretic might be more compelling than A Quiet Place. I didn’t expect to see teenage girls fighting for their lives at the hands of a self-proclaimed religious scholar. Like most Heretic reviews, I found the first hour gripping, keeping me on the edge of my seat, though the tension wavers in the second half.

If you’re looking for a unique Halloween film that departs from the classics, Heretic might be the one. It’s far from a traditional horror movie, with profound themes on religion, the actions of an extremist, and societal consequences—ideas perhaps scarier than Satan himself. 😱

Aiman's rating: she was scared and traumatised but pushed through for this article