50/48
They are both no longer Mormons
Narrative
Two young religious women are drawn into a game of cat and mouse in the home of a strange man. Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East in Heretic, along with other modern women who are killing the horror game. Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East were both raised Mormons and were able to provide valuable insight into the religion when making the film. The end credits indicate that no generative artificial intelligence was used in the making of the film.
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I was lucky enough to catch the famous blueberry pie advance screening of Heretic (2024) in theaters tonight. The story follows two young Mormon missionaries who meet a man interested in learning more about their faith after a previous encounter. As their conversation unfolds, the young women realize that the discussion is taking a dark turn and that they may be in grave danger. Heretic is co-written and co-directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, the team behind the horror gem 💎 Haunt.
This film is meticulously crafted, with elite writing and performances
The cast includes Hugh Grant (Notting Hill), Sophie Thatcher (Yellowjackets), Chloe East (The Wolf of Snow Hollow), and Topher Grace (That ’70s Show). Sophie Thatcher shines as an underrated, emerging scream queen, and her chemistry with Chloe East is perfect. Hugh Grant delivers a chilling performance as a serial killer, living up to my high expectations. The dialogue is cleverly written, with light moments, including a surprising pornographic opening, as well as witty religious and Monopoly analogies that were fun.
The scenes with the religious “prophet” were visually impressive
These clever touches add depth to the storyline and overall premise. The horror elements are superb, using long, tense static shots and leaning into reaction shots. Still, the film doesn’t shy away from the gore, with intense beatings and kills that demand attention. The ending of the film, which ends with a twist, brings things full circle and leaves a strong impact.
I would give it a 75/10 and highly recommend it
In conclusion, while Heretic isn’t perfect, it offers plenty of entertainment for horror fans.