From an Oompa Loompa inWonka and a con artist in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves to a sleazy PI in The Gentleman , Hugh Grant has been having a lot of fun with his recent roles.
Here, the Londoner turns his hand to full-blown horror for the first time – and aces the transition.
He plays Mr Reed , a strange man who takes two young Mormon missionaries, Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East), on a terrifying journey when they knock on his door to spread their religious message.
A Quiet Place co-writers and 65 co-directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods penned the script and helm the flick and from the opening scene – an awkward conversation about sex between the two Sisters – they are skilled at the art of thought-provoking, tricky and sensitive dialogue.
They know how to frame a shot too. A literal storm greets the Sisters’ arrival on Mr Reed’s doorstep – along with troubling thuds behind the door; the dull, dim, beige decor, like Mr Reed himself, seems harmless at first but is a bit out of place; the camera is often at eye level, no matter where the eyes are; and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a scented candle evoke such terror.
With his silver tongue, little facial tics, darting eyes and personal questions, Grant is wonderful, even throwing in a little Scottish and a burst of Radiohead.
As beads of sweat and teardrops form, the girls get more unsettled the longer they are in the house as they are subjected to the world’s most uncomfortable lecture.
Boogeyman star Thatcher displays anxiety via her eyes, strained mouth and active hands, while East’s devoted innocence is tested to the limit.
When we move to the basement things get really messed up, but not all of the revelations and motivations land and nothing is as scary as the first half’s verbal jousting and uncertainty.
Oh, and just what was the point in Topher Grace being here?
Heretic is an anxiety-inducing small journey that leaves you praying this isn’t the last we see of Grant in the world of horror.
● What are your favourite Hugh Grant performances?
Pop me an email at [email protected] and I will pass on your comments – and any movie or TV show recommendations you have – to your fellow readers.
● Heretic is showing in cinemas now.
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