This new thriller, released just last year has been billed as “creepy” by watchers and it is now streaming on Amazon Prime. Heretic, starring Hugh Grant, is a religious horror that will send a shiver up your spine.
The film’s synopsis reads: “Two young missionaries are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse.”
The A24 distributed movie was directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods. Alongside Grant, it stars Sophie Thatcher, Chloe East, Topher Grace, Elle Young and Stephanie Lavigne.
The film sees Grant play a different kind of role than usual, with the actor opting for parts out of his usual romantic comedy genre in recent years, such as an Oompa Loompa in Wonka in 2023.
Fans were impressed however, with one stating: “By turns creepy, charming, and cheerfully cruel, Hugh Grant is the quicksilver maelstrom in this talky thriller on faith and belief.”
Rotten Tomatoes critics rate the film at an impressive 91%, stating: “Hugh Grant has infectious fun playing against type in Heretic, a religious horror that preaches the gospel of cerebral chills over cheap shocks.”
However, the audience reviewers award it 76%, and their consensus reads: “As the titular Heretic, Hugh Grant and his theological musings are as irresistible as blueberry pie, even if the story’s payoff doesn’t quite reach its biblically good setup.”
One fan labelled the film as “fantastic, creepy, tense and thought provoking”, while another added: “A chilling horror flick that keeps you on the edge if your seat.”
However, not everyone was as impressed with the horror, with one reviewer explaining: “They could of done so much more with this stacked casts, overall a big letdown.”
Another felt the film fell apart towards the end but still awarded it four stars.
Heretic is now streaming on Amazon Prime.