I watched the new horror film “The Heretic” with Hugh Grant. This performance makes my hair stand on end.

This week, “The Heretic” with Hugh Grant was released on the screens of Russian cinemas – a horror thriller that brought unexpected intrigue and intellectual tension to the genre.

Why might it be interesting to the viewer? that this is not just another horror film with profitable jump scares, a thoughtful work about faith, belief and the easy consequences of nature. Anything unusual? Yes. These are the ones we love and watch.

We watched the new product and are ready to share our statements. Spoiler alert – we were expecting a completely different horror film.

This is an unusual horror film, and it’s great.

What is the film about?: Two missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints go home looking for new people to find in their church. It seems like another routine visit to the home of Mr. Rida, a charming man who happily invites the girls inside, promising that his wife will soon bring black cake.

But what begins as a casual conversation about religion quickly turns into a dark psychological game that makes them question their faith and reason.

The film raises difficult questions: Why do people believe? Is this a conscious choice or the result of upbringing? The main antagonist with an encyclopedic soul dissects dogma, putting the heroine in front of complex moral and spiritual dilemmas.

Religious debates are presented through metaphors and examples that are easy to understand. This approach makes the film a novelty in the genre. Unlike typical horror films, where religion is promoted through stereotypes of some content or exorcisms, “The Heretic” discusses the very essence of faith. This can be both an interesting challenge for viewers and a stimulating factor for those looking for light, entertaining gore content.

The film doesn’t rely on standard horror tropes. There are no rivers of blood or sharp screamers here. Instead, this horror is built on ideas. This movie is scary because it makes you think about normal beliefs. However, the film’s intellectual depth may be a deal-breaker for those accustomed to longer, action-packed plots with linear development.

Hugh Grant played one of the best roles of his career

Never associated exclusively with romantic leads in films like Notting Hill and Love Actually, Hugh Grant has made an impressive turnaround in his career in recent years.

He proved that he managed to go beyond his role, turning into a multi-faceted chameleon actor. Suffice it to recall his role in “The Gentlemen.”

Mr. Reed is more than just a villain. His character is multi-layered: he is both charming and sinister, intelligent and crazy. From the very beginning of the film, Reed comes across as a good-natured old man in a cozy cardigan, who is happy to welcome guests and treat them to black pie.

However, behind this smile lies cold, calculating manipulatorready to use your mind as a weapon.

Hugh Grant masterfully balances between states. His Reed is sincere and told himself that it makes him shiver from his subtle hints and hidden threat. This phenomenon occurs so smoothly that the gaze, like the heroine, does not realize when friendliness turns into tyranny.

Give a magnificent solemn word. His character uses virtually no physical force, but his dialogue is a real intellectual arsenal. Reed methodically destroys the heroine’s beliefs, starting with innocent questions and ending with philosophical provocations. It would be easy for Tarantino!

His transition from harmless gentleman to psychological tormentor is not just acting, but a real transformation that keeps the viewer in suspense until the very end. This is one of the most memorable and enduring roles of his career.

The other two actresses do a good job in their roles. The heroines complement each other – one is more reserved and suspicious, the second is naive at first, but changes as the plot progresses, which is interesting to watch.

The visuals complement the unusual plot

In The Heretic, the visual style plays a key role, helping to convey the meaning and uniqueness of the plot. It is not just a background for events, it is a full-fledged tool that creates the atmosphere of the film, emphasizes its philosophical ideas and creates a sense of atmosphere.
Each frame is carefully thought out and reflects the internal conflict of the characters, causing claustrophobia and tension, imbued with world cinema.

The main location of the film: the house of Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant). At first glance, this is a cozy space: soft lighting, wooden furniture, candles that create a feeling of warmth. But this comfort quickly turns into growing horror. As the missionaries begin to realize their trap, its hidden boundaries are revealed: narrow corridors, closed doors and tiny windows turn it into a labyrinth.

This visual metaphor perfectly reflects the character of Rida herself. His house is like a projection of his mind: on the outside he is good-natured and calm, but inside there is chaos, sophistication and composure.

You may not like the film due to its originality

Usually, when they talk about a sequel to a film, they mean clichéd plot lines, bad acting, or trivial script errors. But in the case of “The Heretic,” the main reason for possible disappointment is its originality.
This film represents the framework of conventional horror, something unique – and it may be interesting for those who are looking for familiar genre elements.

Most sounds choosing horror, accepted for the final set: sharp jump scares, intense chases, supernatural creatures, rivers of blood, mountains of meat. “The Heretic” goes against fantastical expectations. Instead of scaring the viewer with visual tricks, it makes you think.

The horror here is not in the ghosts or blood, but in the dialogue, ideas and philosophical dilemmas.
The film is more reminiscent of an intellectual duel than a standard thriller. This approach is refreshing to the genre, but for fans of classic horror it may seem too slow or overloaded with talking.

Another risky aspect of the film is its central theme. Religion is typically used in horror through original tropes: exorcisms, demons, possession. Here a different view appears, immersing the viewer in a discussion about nature, its role in human life and its influence on the individual.

When taken away from the questions, such topics may seem too stressful or simply uninteresting. The philosophical dialogues, although thoughtful, can be perceived as drawn out.

If you’re going to a fast-paced movie, the new release may disappoint.

The film asks a lot of questions, but not all of them are answered. A viewer expecting a gruesome release or climactic horror may be left disappointed.

The final film, while entertaining, does not reach the level of tension established at the beginning and middle of the story. It’s not a failure, but it does leave you feeling like the film could have done a little more.

This is horror for thinking viewers

“The Heretic” is a funny experiment in horror that goes beyond the usual plots and offers an intelligent approach to fear. He’s the perfect fit, looking for something new and ready to delve into dark philosophical musings.

However, for fans of fast-paced and traditional horror films, it may be a challenge.

If you want to feel like you are in a dialogue room about feelings of faith and doubt, “The Heretic” is definitely worth your time. If you’re looking for light entertainment with the usual scary elements, this film probably won’t live up to your expectations.