Heretic 2024 Review
What could be more frightening than thinking that some omnipotent being governs every single aspect of our daily reality? Not having any form of faith or belief to rely on at all. This paradox of human existence is looked at in Scott Beck and Bryan Woods’s Heretic, an unsettlingly fascinating thriller that investigates the unsettling nature of belief. We might have seen hundreds of horror movies depicting the mindless violence carried out by religious zealots, but this film goes the other way by exploring the more psychological angles of horror. It’s a careful analysis not just of the stories told, but the stories themselves.
The movie spans history, telling the story of various religions and their role in shaping civilization. The pacing continues to build tension throughout the film which works for the sub-genre and stimulates several parts of the brain at once. During the moments of genre filmmaking which raise your heart rate and blood pressure, this film does so within a safe level of thrill. The narrative is breathtaking along with the cinematography and performances. As is often the case when tackling the topic of belief's intricacies, some of the questions raised during the film need to be addressed in the third act. Nonetheless, I am sure A24 will find succuss in this captivating film regardless of those flaws.
Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East), two missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, have received a call from a man named Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant). They follow the rules and stand outside Mr. Reed's house, waiting for a woman to come out, although he says that his wife is in the next room trying to bake a pie. The scent of berries filling the air indicates that there is a pie in the oven. So, they go in and start a discussion on theology with Reed, and he shifts the conversation immediately and begins cross-examining the girls on their faith and belief system. After all, there is a faith in a chezwhoever is in the kitchen, for that is what they have been told.
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| Heretic 2024 |
Without giving away too much, it seems that Mr. Reed has plans for Sisters Barnes and Paxton that involve progressively more difficult challenges. The first part of the film is suspenseful, as the audience watches the young women try to commit themselves to their vocation while simultaneously trying to manage their fear. Will they be able to haggle their way out of the situation that is getting worse and worse? Is there a Mr. Reed who answers Mr. Reed’s questions?
The screenplay by Beck and Woods combines religious history with sociopathy, which makes it a masterpiece. It’s “Saw,” blended with some bits added from “Silence.”
While doing this work, Grant isreally enjoying himself. He is working on a unique side that seems new to him, and this may be some of his best work in years. His castmates support him a lot, especially East, who, if anything, makes Paxton the more clueless member of the duo. Each and every one of her character’s lines adds to her role’s evolution, and even the way that she pronounces the word ‘pornography’ in the film’s first exchange is vital. To give some credit towards character development, East does not allow for pause as a simple stereotypical pawn in a perilous scenario.
This is, like, 75% a three-hander, and as long as the mounted runtime didn’t have Zachary Thatcher blitzing Grant and East into oblivion, the movie wouldn’t be so disastrous.
Understanding Chung-hoon Chung's work as the cinematographer for 'The Handmaiden' and 'Oldboy' brings in the props mercilessly talented Chung-hoon Chung deserves. For his filmography, it is nothing short of a treat. Chung’s camera work highlights the threatening set piece in x. The ominous stairways and corridors engender the feeling of tension as well as claustrophobia, immersing the audience as if they were on a set and not a staged backdrop. His directors also seem to love faces, attempting to bring us close to the frantic manic smile and even the tears. The success of the film rests on tight filmmaking steamrolling over the leads, which is bound to happen. (As wacky as this film was, I would’ve preferred some more extravagant camerawork and canted angles, but that’s besides the point.)
Starting the movie off with 30 minutes worth of heavy dialog, the action begins in the middle. The action puts quite a twist on the story and as expected, makes ‘Heretic’ a little less appealing. While the film does a good job at maintaining mystery, there is only so much of the unknown that can be unveiled and restrained.
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| Heretic 2024 |
Despite the fact that there are adaptations which completely disregard this concept, none have come close to the boundaries like "Heretic" did.
Through the looking glass of my favorite narrative choices in “Heretic” the final act feels utterly ridiculous. But not in the moments when the audience shares an empathetic prison experience with Sister Paxton and Sister Barnes.
The dreadful feeling which surges through me while watching "Heretic" is not stemming from any braid of violence. Instead, it lurks in humanity. The humanity which is portrayed through the meticulous plots of Reed. What do we even believe in, and why? Are those beliefs only excerpts and amalgamations of phrases we’ve been told? Or does it somehow connect to this vast amount of books Reed claims to have read? Annonymous “Heretic” explores some of the most bone-chilling thoughts of all time, having nothing after death, while simultaneously everything we’ve built life upon being a lie. And while it’s painted as an anti-religious film I rapidly found it’s not nearly as blasphemous as it claims to be. It preserves mystifying motives that begs for answers. Questions that you chose whether to answer or not, but only if you’re courageous enough.
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