We all know that guy. Many of us have probably been that guy. Maybe they saw The Matrix one too many times. Perhaps they got REALLY into Christopher Hitchens. More than likely they’re VERY into Fight Club. “Religion is about control” is about as interesting of a talking point about religion as the book of Deuteronomy. (It’s an exceptionally boring book of The Bible, trust me.)

I had my trepidations about Heretic as reviews were coming out, but Hugh Grant looked so locked in I had to go scope it out for myself. And Hugh Grant delivers a stunning body of work here as he plays against type. As two Mormon girls walk up to his house, and he invites them in to discuss the prospect of becoming a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, he seems normal enough. And he does all his late in life Hugh Grant charming things.

This first sequence, when things seem normal adjacent is probably my favorite of the film. And Hugh Grant delivers what feels like the thesis early on ‘It’s one’s personal relationship with religion that’s the most important’. He is later shown to be working to disprove the notion of faith, that religion is about control. But he says it out loud at the jump. Faith is personal, so one can attack a church, or a belief all you want, but the personal relationship someone has with their faith is just that.

The horror aspects of the film ramp up as the girls travel through Hugh Grant’s house, and he stays his charming kind self. Even as they begin to realize they do not have a means to escape. That his entire plan is to not only destroy their faith, but twist them into something monstrous. And as their faith is tested it does break them to a certain degree.

I don’t want to get too into the plot of the film so I’ll keep this one short. But I’ll leave you with this: It’s funny that between this and Conclave I feel like religious movies have been really hitting for me. Not since Martin Scorcese’s ‘Silence‘ have I felt we’ve been given a good movie that feels even remotely pro religion. I hesitate to call ‘Heretic‘ a “Faith-Based Film” but if the shoe fits and all that. Maybe Angel Studios should forego God’s Not Dead 7 and crank out Heretic 2 instead? Here’s for hoping.

3/5