Heretic

Is it possible to keep a film interesting with relatively few locations and characters? Heretic shows that even with limited ingredients, you can still create something engaging.

The film begins with two nuns from the Church of Hormone (Sister Barnes and Sister Paxton) who visit Mr. Reed, played by Hugh Grant. Early on, it becomes clear that Mr. Reed has a hidden agenda, and the women find themselves caught in a cat-and-mouse game. Tip: Don’t read too much about the film or watch too many trailers—let yourself be surprised.

The strength of Heretic lies not in jump scares, but in the psychological game Mr. Reed plays with the women.

Despite the small cast and the fact that most of the film takes place in a single house, Heretic manages to maintain a surprising level of tension. The old, decaying mansion, the eerie antagonist, and the stormy weather (because, of course, the sun never shines in a horror film) all contribute to setting a creepy atmosphere. The strength of Heretic lies not in jump scares, but in the psychological game Mr. Reed plays with the women. Although there are certainly better examples within the psychological horror genre, Heretic still manages to captivate, partly because it doesn’t drag things out endlessly but gets to the point quickly.

Heretic is an interesting film for both believers and non-believers alike. It explores themes of faith and belief, and (in my humble opinion) raises some valid questions that leave you wondering whether the director intended this as a message or not.

Now, for the negatives. Are there any drawbacks to Heretic? Despite the film’s solid build-up of tension, it does lack some depth. The characters are “fine,” but with only three main characters, you expect a bit more three-dimensionality from them. Since the character development remains somewhat shallow, it becomes harder to connect with the protagonists, making it less compelling to care about what happens to them (I hope this doesn’t make me a bad person).

When you choose a film with such a small cast and limited locations, you need to make sure that what you do show is well-developed and top-notch. Unfortunately, Heretic doesn’t rise above a basic level, which is disappointing given that all the ingredients for a potentially great horror film are there.

In summary, Heretic is a suspenseful horror film with a fairly clear underlying message. It’s an enjoyable treat for horror fans but may hold less appeal for casual moviegoers.