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By Lauren Bradshaw
Lauren’s Review

Heretic is not only one of the best movies I have seen so far at the Toronto International Film Festival(TIFF), but it is one of the most brilliant horror films I have seen period. From its cerebral script to its enigmatic lead performances from Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, and Chloe East, this film has all the makings to be the next horror classic. The film breezes along, with the suspenseful thrills and psychological manipulations hooking you from the beginning and not letting go. As the credits rolled, I frantically texted my other critic friends in attendance to hear what they thought because I needed to talk about it with someone (spoiler alert: they were equally floored and loved it too).

I wish my plot summary paragraph could be “It’s good, go see it,” because I want you to go into this movie completely blind. But I get there needs to be a little explanation, so I will explain what is already in the trailer. Sister Barnes (Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (East) are Mormon missionaries, who work as a pair, knocking on doors to spread the news about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They arrive at the quaint, unassuming home of Mr. Reed (Grant), who had requested additional information about the Church. Although it’s raining, the Sisters cannot come into his home unless another woman is present, church rule. But when Mr. Reed assures them his wife is in the other room finishing her blueberry pie and will be out in a minute, they go inside. Little did they know, once they step inside, it won’t be as easy getting out.

Scott Beck and Bryan Woods’ screenplay is one of the most intelligent horror film scripts I’ve seen and totally deserves to be in Oscar consideration for best original screenplay. Some may see the script as a college-level Theology class, but I think it should actually be a college-level class on tone, because it’s truly masterful the way in which the script perfectly balances humor, terror, and dogma. Beck and Woods cleverly play with themes of faith, belief, and control through psychological tests the lead characters—and you, the audience—don’t know you’re participating in.

Heretic is a true three-hander, with phenomenal performances by Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, and Chloe East. Thatcher is the tough skeptic, who has no trouble going toe-to-toe with Grant’s Mr. Reed, both as her character and through acting; I loved seeing them spar with each other. But it is East’s character that has the most character evolution; her ability to display naivety and innocence makes what comes in the third act even more affecting. And fun fact, at the TIFF Q&A we learned both women grew up Mormon, so they had an even deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Of course, the real standout is Hugh Grant, in a role that feels like it was written solely for him; I cannot imagine anyone else in the part. His ability to convey intelligence and charm, mixed with a twinge of awkward British elitism… and, of course, creepiness… is the key to make this film work as well as it does. Grant is akin to a conductor, slowly building the intensity in his performance the more we learn about him, the facade of politeness fading the deeper you go into the story, metaphorically and literally. You thought you knew the archetype of characters Grant plays, but you’ve never seen him quite like this.

For most films, unless there is an end credit scene, you leave the theater as soon as the credits begin to scroll. But with HERETIC, don’t be surprised if you are still sitting in your seat, digesting what you just saw, when the lights come on and the ushers come in to clean. It is a movie that even the most casual moviegoer will want to talk about and read think-pieces on. Its ending is up for debate, but there are so many layers of the film that you will only be able to piece together from other perspectives and re-watches.

My Review: A

LAUREN BRADSHAW grew up in Courtland, graduated from Southampton Academy and double-majored in foreign affairs and history at the University of Virginia. She lives in the Washington, D.C., area and can be reached at flickchickdc@gmail.com.