A Sinister Hugh Grant Wants You To Witness A Miracle In The Heretic Trailer
Following his turn as an Oompa Loompa in 2023's "Wonka" and an absurdly awkward Oscars interview, you might not have expected Hugh Grant's next move to be an A24 horror movie. But that's exactly what the British star is doing next. "Heretic" was announced last year as the latest Scott Beck and Bryan Woods-penned horror effort. The duo responsible for writing "A Quiet Place" and the Adam Driver sci-fi thriller "65" have now written a horror movie that will see Grant in the titular role — though just what the movie is about has thus far remained unclear.
Until now, details about "Heretic" have been kept under wraps. However, when it was first announced, Deadline reported that the film was rumored to "center on two young women of faith who are lured into a cat-and-mouse game in the home of an eccentric man." Meanwhile, The Hollywood Reporter claimed the film would focus on two Mormon missionaries "who attempt to convert a man that turns out to be far more dangerous than they could have anticipated." Since then, details have been scarce, although we were treated to a poster reveal on June 24, 2024, which also confirmed that "Heretic" would star Grant alongside "The Fabelmans" actor Chloe East and Sophie Thatcher (who led last year's eerie and effective Stephen King adaptation "The Boogeyman").
Now, though, the mystery is becoming clearer, with the first trailer for "Heretic" arriving and promising yet another compelling horror entry from A24. The studio has been responsible for some truly terrifying films over the past decade or so, from "Hereditary" to "X." Now, it's Hugh Grant's turn to spook us all, and it looks like this could actually turn out to be a great next move for the "Paddington 2" alum.
Heretic might just be the next great A24 horror film
The usual retort to the question, "Are you interested in learning about our savior Jesus Christ?" is, for most of us, "No, thanks." But Hugh Grant is, according to the new "Heretic" trailer, very interested in doing just that. In fact, he's designed a whole series of games based around testing two young Mormon girls' faith. After trapping Chloe East and Sophie Thatcher's characters in his home, Grant's character offers them this deal: "I won't keep you if you wish to leave, but I want you to choose which door to go through based on your faith." The doors in question are marked "Belief" and "Disbelief," and appear to lead to two separate M.C. Escher-style mazes specifically design by the old creep to test the girls' mettle. From there we see Grant's character working on some dioramas, which look to be miniature versions of the twisted labyrinths into which he's sent his Mormon visitors.
Just what awaits the girls in Grant's perverse game chambers remains unclear, but it certainly doesn't look like they have too much fun with the whole thing. What's more, Grant's character appears to be the "Heretic" in question. Despite his assertion that he thinks it's "good to be religious," he also tells the girl he believes it's good to "find your faith in a doctrine you actually believe," suggesting he's diverted from mainstream religious belief and developed his own, perverse take on spirituality and the transcendent. Oh, and then there's the weird torture games, too — not exactly traditional Christianity.
All in all, it's a bit upsetting to watch Hugh Grant's affable British charm slowly morph into something altogether more creepy. Which, as it happens, is exactly why "Heretic" is shaping up to be yet another great A24 horror film.
"Heretic" hits theaters on November 15, 2024.