With the release of “Heretic,” a film that touches on the sensitive topics of religion and the sinister depths of the human mind, audiences are left puzzled walking out of the theaters, wondering whether they should like it or dislike it—almost like two characters who can’t decide what door they should go through.
*Story & Concept: A Strong Foundation, But Missed Potential*
The concept of “Heretic” is a psychological thriller that explores the many different themes of religion in a horrific, mentally unraveling way. Following two missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Barnes and Paxton attempt to convert a reclusive Englishman, Mr. Reed, who is revealed to be more dangerous than he seemed. The film takes a more intellectual approach than traditional horror fare, grounding its supernatural elements in the fragility of the human psyche. This choice allows for a more in-depth exploration of character and fear, which adds to the film’s dreadful atmosphere. This keeps viewers on edge, constantly questioning what’s real and what is a product of the character’s imagination.
However, the film stumbles regarding its pacing and execution of climatic events. The promise of a big final twist or revelation never truly satisfyingly takes place. The psychological tension is gripping, but the lack of a clear conclusion to the film’s mystery leaves the viewer with unfinished business.
*Visuals & Cinematography: A Home Well Crafted for Horror*
The film’s cinematography deserves praise, particularly in its home setting, and the one to thank for that is Chung Chung-hoon. Each shot and camera swoop captures the dark hallways and sinister staircases in a way that makes viewers feel the tension and claustrophobia, making them forget it’s just a set. With the director’s preferences, Chung Chung-hoon also kept viewers close to the tear-filled eyes and malicious smiles, adding to the film’s intriguing camera work. From slow tension as Sister Barnes spins the candle, revealing the true horrors, to the sudden camera spin of a door slam, the cinematography kept viewers engaged and unable to look away.
Although the visual atmosphere is precisely what you would expect from a psychological thriller in terms of the mood and setting, there’s a lack of visual daring when it comes to horror. While the film’s atmosphere builds up the expectation of what will be behind these two doors, it doesn’t land that show-stopping finale. Instead of horror, it is a subtle visual with no sense of direction.
*Acting: A Mixed Bag of Strengths and Weaknesses*
The film’s performances are, unsurprisingly, a blend of both strong and weak moments. With a small cast consisting of actor Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, and Chloe East, each plays their role differently, some perfecting it while others fall short.
Hugh Grant plays Mr. Reeds, a psychological thriller mastermind, but sadly, known for his rom-coms didn’t fit the part all too well. If the directors aimed for a sadistic, creepy, psychotic approach, they didn’t execute it properly. Hugh Grant’s performance was good but did not give that creeped-out feeling. Instead, it gave more of a comedic approach. For the scenes that needed comic relief, Hugh Grant did execute it properly, but for all serious tones, it fell short.
As for Sophia Thatcher as Sister Barnes and Chloe East as Sister Paxton, both performed excellently, bouncing off each other’s actions. They were undoubtedly scared out of their mind and terrified about what was to happen to them. Their eyes showed fear, their movements showed hesitation, and they were scared even to run or scream. With each tear-filled eye, tremble of the hand, and shaking breath, the audience felt what they were feeling, delivering the emotional weight of each character in their most vulnerable moment.
*The Final Verdict*
“Heretic” 2024 succeeds in creating a compelling atmosphere and delivering psychological horror, but its execution falls short of greatness. The story and concept of the film are very intriguing, especially since they focus on controversial topics such as religion and the real meaning behind it.
However, with this great concept and story idea, they fell short, making the ending feel as if they gave up and wanted you to puzzle the rest—almost like playing Guess Who with no one in front of you. What heightens this movie is the standout work by Chloe East and Sophia Thatcher, making the audiences feel emotionally drawn to them. The visual style and cinematography also create a great sense of unease for each viewer.
Ultimately, “Heretic” provides plenty of chills, but it doesn’t quite land the knockout punch that its genre promises. It’s a well-written psychological thriller that asks more questions than it answers, which may be a draw for some and a disappointment for others.
