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Hello, do you have a few minutes to hear about the holy word of the new horror film HERETIC? Well it was directed by leaders Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, produced by A24 and brings forth a battle of theological minds between two young Mormon girls and a creepy and possibly dead old man. Still interested? Great, let me explain more…

Scott Beck and Bryan Woods broke out onto the horror scene after writing and creating the acclaimed “Quiet Place” film now franchise. Two filmmakers who seem to want to find more unique ways to tell familiar stories. Its kind of what horror has been doing since its inception. HERETIC plays by these same rules, trap two young women in a house with a strange man but instead of become just your cat and mouse thriller HERETIC seeks out to be an intellectual battle where your beliefs or disbeliefs could mean life or death. A film that wants to tackle religious hypocrisy while also pointing out the same hypocrites that deem religion a hoax. In other words it has grand ideas on its mind. Unfortunately ideas is all it seems to have, and on quite the surface level. This isn’t to blame the movie for having not having answers to some of life’s most difficult and convoluted questions, but instead to criticize a film that feels far too egotistical to see past its own shortcomings. It isn’t a lecture on theology but rather a student who took one course on the subject and feels required to spew their lack of knowledge at the local college bar to impress some undergrad. Even its attempts to mock these sort of philosophy bros only backfires in creating the same monster it fears. HERETIC still has some gifts to offer at its alter, a strong two performances from its female leads actually counterbalances the showier and less engaging role from its creepy adversary. But nonetheless if HERETIC wanted to be the thought provoking film of the year it unfortunately feels more connected to a typical Sunday morning sermon, weightless and even worse, unconvincing.

It’s hard out there for a Mormon sister. Young women sent out into the local community to knock on door after door in hopes of sharing and converting people to the good word of their lord and savior Jesus Christ…of later day saints. For Sister Barnes and Sister Paxton (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East respectively) this rejection is all too familiar but spirits remain high. Barnes and Paxton, two young women spend their time between doors discussing topics that may seem curious to anyone who has prejudgments of Mormons. Paxton (East) finds humor in discussing the false marketing of condoms while Barnes (Thatcher) indulging Paxton still feels more focused on her writings while also acknowledging she herself has yet to experience a moment of true spiritual holiness. But positivity remains intact for these women, or at least they try. Even as they walk by young girls who mock and physically harass them exposing their “magic underwear,” Paxton recognizes that its hard for them to be accepted when the world feels so desperate on mocking them. East with her innocent eyes and quite demeanor even refers to how a musical was made just to humiliate them. Barnes on the other hand rolls it off stating that some of the songs were actually quite good. It’s charmful banter from two strong actors while also displaying the unfortunate reminder that many young women in religion feel required to protect the word of an organization that often locks them out with no protection. But the girls know they have a duty and this leads them to the strange and often the path house of Mr. reed (Hugh Grant). An older man with a spring in his step that easily has no problem allowing the girls to share their word, but just as long as he gets his thoughts out first.

HERETIC may take its time to show its full hand when it comes to Mr. Reed’s intentions but the unease is there from the start. Thanks to Thatcher and East’s performances we can feel the lack of security these young women feel the moment they enter the house. “A woman has to be present” they announce early on to Mr. Reed’s reply that his wife in the other room will join them shortly. But as the women’s pitch to Mr. Reed gets taken over by his own rhetoric and questions of hypocrisy a far more deadly game begins. The film still plays by the usual trapped in a home type rules in some regards as Paxton and Barnes must smartly figure their way out, but HERETIC wants to first have a full film length discussion on whether belief or disbelief can ever fully be realized when the answers are nearly impossible to come by. Hugh Grant, a man who has used his last few performances as a way to shed off his British dreamboat charm is clearly having a blast in this flashy wierdo role, but it also works against him feeling too on the nose as a caricature of a strange man and less someone actually terrifying. Perhaps it is due to Mr. Reed’s own bullshit theological viewpoints. A scene halfway through allowing Barnes to call out Mr. Reed’s notions as thin and opportunistic is meant to be a brave moment for the character but rather feels like a call out to the filmmakers without them even knowing it. The conversation on the script (written by Beck and Woods) is far less engaging then one you can have after the film with someone else that may have enjoyed it allowing for a battle of polite discussion. Instead HERETIC coasts on by with the same redundant tendencies even when it shows all the cards. A late entry (that will not be spoiled) feels less terrifying as it feels almost necessary and in that all roads were always going to lead to this sort of film. It abandons its own notions (which were never that strong) in favor of something far more obvious which is that men and especially dangerous men will do whatever it takes to seem like the smartest in the room.

While HERETIC finds its way to even more familiar territory it does allow for Chloe East to excel far beyond the page. East an up and comer gives her big breakout here that shows both the natural talents of a leading lady while also reminding us that this is a young woman who has attendee the church of Steven Spielberg and paid close attention. Referring to East’s other religious role in Spielberg’s “The Fabelmans,” East shows us the same light that most likely caught the attention of one of the greatest filmmakers. As Sister Paxton east displays a wide intelligence that is often overlooked due to innocence. In moments where Mr. Reed condescendingly “corrects” Paxton there is always a fear in her eyes of this man while also recognizing that he is in fact wrong and far less intelligent than he portrays. It’s exciting work from a performer who may herself feel overlooked in an industry that fears women who can see beyond male producer’s bullshit. East’s role may be here to disprove the rhetoric of Mr. reed but also becomes the film’s saving grace that cuts through the film’s own missteps. HERETIC does find its way to spark conversation by its ambiguous ending but even in that sense it always remains a film with ideas too cocky to engage in any meaningful opposition. A film does not always have to battle itself but when taking on topics that can always be debated its quite embarrassing to watch HERETIC not be able to keep up with its own argument. Instead HERETIC falls into the same trappings that all religious organizations find themselves in; just some guy talking with very little to say.

C-

HERETIC IS IN THEATERS EVERYWHERE FROM A24