HERETIC (2024)

 

Written & Directed By: Scott Beck & Bryan Woods 

Cinematography: Chung-Hoon Chung

Editor: Justin Li 

Cast: Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, Chloe East, Topher Grace, Elle Young 

Two young religious women are drawn into a game of cat-and-mouse in the house of a strange man.

This is a film. One wishes they could’ve made it as at first it seems so simple, but as it goes along, you realize how twisted everything is and that it also exists on a delicate balance

The script is intricately written and can go a million ways at any moment. Luckily it stays on a certain path makes it all the more intriguing. 

There will be many who will be In Tune with its debates and theories. At least in the first half of the film. 

It’s a tight thriller that sues its Location inventively and makes it claustrophobic. As with the design of the location the Film, characters, and story offer up their mazes to try and solve. The camerawork by Chung-Hoon Chung makes the spaces seem sumptuous and a world unto themselves. 

Hugh Grant finally gets a role where he doesn’t have to play off either his public persona or what audiences know him for he gets to play a role with the recent villain role, which gives him some really good meat on which to chew and show off his skills and remind you that he is a good actor.

As he shows the human equivalent of mansplaining. That most women will identify with if ever had a date, friend, or family.

A member who wants to show off his smarts and theories and is truly trying to impress about a subject you are not necessarily interested in but must show superiority in. 

It’s not perfect in the third act. That is where the film gets a little wobbly and brings the film back down to earth and reality. It is impossible to keep up the momentum Of the first half completely without having to offer some Explanations. as well as offer the audience the release that they desire. To make it mroenofna crowd pleaser. 

I won’t call it a fun ride but one that keeps your interest throughout and will want to have conversations about after. Even if not as shocking as you might expect. 

The writer-directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods have truly made a film worth investing your time and attention. Much better than their previous films, A QUIET PLACE which they wrote and 65 Which they wrote and directed and this film Is leaps and bounds above the special effects-laden 65 starring Adam Driver. 

Grade: B