Heretic
2024
***
Director: Scott Beck, Bryan Woods
Cast: Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, Chloe East, Topher Grace, Stephanie Lavigne, David Warshofsky, Carmen Ejogo, Jeffrey Wright, Mackenzie Davis, Jamie Chung
Sister Paxton and Sister Barnes, two young Mormon missionaries, hope to convert an eccentric man, but he challenges them to a provocative discussion about beliefs. This passable horror movie starts off as an intriguing and dialogue-heavy psychological game. When the missionaries step down to the implausibly massive basement of the house, the story enters mindnumbingly familiar horror territory, from which it never reemerges. Nevertheless, Hugh Grant gives a deliciously multilayered performance, and the two young actresses do a fine job, as well.
