A puzzle film you definitely want to solve.
“Heretic” is a horror film about two missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who visit an Englishman so they can try to convert him, never dreaming he would put them in the puzzle of their lives. It all regards faith and what to believe or disbelieve.
A few years ago, I was impressed by the box office success of “Escape Room,” which had people of different issues trying to solve puzzles before facing certain doom. There were traps I’ve enjoyed because of the production designs and how some of the puzzles played out, but my overall reaction was like “Saw” Minus “Saw.” It just didn’t apply, and neither did its sequel.
“Heretic” is a puzzle film, but an ingenious and smart one. Maybe it’s too smart for me to fully comprehend, but it actually plays like a real life escape room with a religious theme. And there are a lot of comments about different faiths and religions, and whether or not a particular individual believes in them. It’s all within the monologues and conversations.
The missionaries in that trap are Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East), and after being rejected by pedestrians whom they try to convert, they finally find someone in the form of an Englishman named Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant). He invites them in for pie, but they say that there has to be a woman present, and he tells them his wife is here. So, they wait for the wife to show up, and he says he’s getting her, but never does. He also gives them his interpretation of religion, which they both start to feel uncomfortable, and they try to leave but they can’t. So, he gives them a choice between which backdoor to go through: “Belief” or “Disbelief.” Decisions, decisions.
I try to pay attention to the most important facts in the film, and without spoiling anything, a good portion of them actually makes sense. We have twists, music by The Hollies (“The Air That I Breathe”) and Radiohead (“Creep”), boardgames (“Monopoly” being one of them, as well as others I haven’t even heard of like “The Landlord’s Game”), clues that sometimes stick out (you’ll get my pun later in the film), and his own wooden model set of where the girls are at this very moment. Hit songs in a creepy movie? Very creepy.
“Heretic” was written and directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, best known for writing the entertaining “Quiet Place” movies and directing the lousy dinosaur pic “65.” Their latest entry delivers with sharp performances from Grant, Thatcher, and East, and good taste in puzzles and religion. Matter of fact, it’s a nice combo.
Grant has mostly been seen in comedies and dramas, but it’s riveting to see him in such a dark role, and he plays it brilliantly. Thatcher (whose last horror film was “The Boogeyman”) has a persistent tone, while East (best known for her role in “The Fabelmans”) also displays the right emotions. And you also get Topher Grace, whose last religious entry was “Breakthrough,” as a church elder trying to find the girls when they don’t return to the church. There’s not much on his character, but at least he doesn’t end up like Scatman Crothers in “The Shining,” especially if the story is now caught in a blizzard.
Maybe it’s too smart for me to completely comprehend and maybe some of the examinations go on a little long. And I’m still puzzled by some of the twists. But it’s all in the execution that makes it a worthy entry in A24’s filmography. And as always, if there’s a creepy house, you know you’re not supposed to go inside, but you do anyway.