Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Cast: Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, Chloe East, Topher Grace.

The point is that there is nothing original left, every thought is a variation of something already stated, every belief is a faded carbon copy of another that had already been venerated and discussed by others, some with a more persuasive edge to the words than others, and it perhaps shows that we have become a species that cannot think without a baseline of consideration already in place. Whether in politics or religious discourse we are now arguably nothing more than phrases that are well rehearsed and which have lost all meaning.

Scott Beck and Bryan Wood’s psychological horror Heretic is one of the finest examples of the genre, it might take the viewer to where they expect to go, but the journey it takes is one of a maze, of a mind warren that tangles the narrative and then lays it bare as if stripped of all its pretence; and the reason that this works is down to one of Hugh Grant’s most captivating roles, and as the sinister but acutely intelligent Mr. Reed confronts the ideology of Sister Barnes and Sister Paxton with twisted logic and polite, well-spoken fear.

Heretic plays with religion and faith in such a way that the argument is not only credible, but damning in its sincerity, and the interaction between the antagonist and the two young women tasked with talking to him regarding their faith is one of dripping unrelenting fear that frames the connection between the unoriginal and the acceptance of the constant imagery that filters through the different eras and which unnervingly echoes with ceaseless frequency.

Both Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East are superbly cast as the two members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints caught in the eccentricity and madness of Mr. Grant’s character as he delves into the psyche of cherry-picking certain aspects of decency and passing them off as doctrine. The aspects of choice are fierce, the dogma of option is damning, and between these three incredibly well drawn and insightful personalities what transpires is a film of satisfaction and gratifying, increasing anxiety.

Heretic is a film where cynicism is welcome and never to be rejected, to sit and bathe in the applause of thought and dialogue is to be forever a believer.

Ian D. Hall