A provocative new horror film is turning heads for all the right reasons – and not just because it features a chillingly unrecognisable Hugh Grant in one of his boldest roles to date.
Now streaming on Amazon Prime Video, this 2024 gem has already earned an impressive 91% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and is being described as a “philosophical-theological masterpiece” by early viewers.
Blending psychological dread with theological debate, Heretic is quickly becoming one of the year’s most talked-about horror experiences.
Set against the backdrop of a religious cult in rural America, Heretic follows two young missionaries (played by Yellowjackets’ Sophie Thatcher and The White Lotus’ Chloe East) who find themselves trapped inside a house of horrors after knocking on the wrong door.
What begins as a standard mission visit turns into a deeply disturbing confrontation with faith, power, and truth – and the enigmatic man behind the door: Hugh Grant, in a role unlike anything we’ve seen from him before.
“Done well and shows a side of Hugh Grant that I wish we would see more of,” wrote one online reviewer. “And of course, great acting from Sophie Thatcher as always.”
While the film delivers on scares and intensity, what’s setting Heretic apart is its layered, thought-provoking script. Audiences are finding themselves not just frightened, but moved.
“Whether you’re religious or not, this film has points for both sides,” said one viewer. “It’s interesting to see an overall examination of faith in such a way as this movie does it.”
Another added: “Heretic was one of the most impactful and challenging cinematic experiences I have ever had… a modern pearl of horror and deserves to be seen several times.”
Directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods – the writing duo behind A Quiet Place – the film mixes the creeping tension of slow-burn horror with the moral complexity of religion.
While the violence is sharp and sudden, the deeper fear comes from the questions the film asks about faith, belief systems, and how easily they can be manipulated.
“A philosophical-theological masterpiece, wrapped in a violent thriller/horror genre film”, another fan praised. “But hey, what religion on Earth isn’t horrifically violent?”
“Love anything with Hugh Grant,” one fan wrote. “Nice and creepy! Thought-provoking regarding organized religion. Always remember, we don’t need churches to have a relationship with God. A must see!”
Heretic (2024) is now available on Amazon Prime Video.