Filmmakers Scott Beck and Bryan Woods are on quite the creative tear right now. While the writer/director pair had already helmed a few indie horror films, things really lit up for them upon the release of 2018’s “A Quiet Place,” a script they wrote that John Krasinski turned into a massive hit. This gave their career an extra boost, and they’ve directed two features since (one, “65,” starring Adam Driver). Their latest is “Heretic,” a claustrophobic thriller with religious ideas in mind.
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And with religion and religious freedoms still being a hot topic in this country—especially those who seemingly want to foist their religion on others and in schools—“Heretic” feels timely. The film centers on two Mormon missionaries preaching the word of their god door to door to people; not an invasion per se, but one can imagine the easily perturbed might not adore this technique. Whether that’s the remit of “Heretic” or not is unclear, but regardless, these two Mormon girls knock on the wrong door and soon find themselves in an elaborate, dangerous trap set by their charming but disturbed host, who has coaxed them inside his wicked lair.
The film stars Hugh Grant as the diabolical man at the center of this suspenseful horror thriller. The two Mormon girls are played by two rising stars: Sophie Thatcher, known for “The Book of Boba Fett” and “Yellowjackets,” and Chloe East, who appeared in Steven Spielberg’s “The Fabelmans” and has an upcoming role in the Amy Adams movie “At The Sea.”
“Heretic” recently had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival where it was met with strong reviews (read our review here).
Here’s the official synopsis:
Two young missionaries are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse.
Originally set for a November 15, 2024, release, A24, the film’s North American distributor just bumped up Its release slightly to November 8. You can watch the new trailer below and watch the hairs on your arm stand up from all the creepiness.