Heretic

Two young missionaries stop at the wrong house and meet Mr. Reed, a seemingly polite but unsettling man who turns their assignment into a deadly psychological test. When Sister Barnes and Sister Paxton realize they are trapped in a constructed game, wit and faith are pitted against cruelty and manipulation. Reed toys with their beliefs and forces choices that erode safety and certainty, while outside pressures raise the stakes. The film keeps most shocks in tense exchanges and claustrophobic rooms, following the pair as they try to protect each other, keep moral clarity, and outmaneuver a host who delights in torment without revealing obvious motives or an endgame. It avoids showing everything, preferring slow escalation and dread.

Heretic was released in 2024, directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods. The thriller horror features Hugh Grant as Mr. Reed, with Sophie Thatcher, Chloe East, Topher Grace, and Elle Young in supporting roles, showcasing a notable against-type casting choice.

Widespread box office totals for Heretic were not publicly reported at the time of compilation. The film received a theatrical rollout in some markets and concurrent digital availability in others, which likely affected consolidated revenue reporting and public figures availability.

Critics and audiences responded with generally positive notices, reflected by a vote average of 6.977/10 from 2,375 votes. Reviewers praised the tense exchanges and Hugh Grant's chilling turn, while noting the film wrestles with faith, coercion, moral ambiguity, and the abuse of charismatic authority. Many highlighted its tight, suffocating atmosphere.

Grant's casting against his usual persona sparked conversation about actors choosing darker material, and several scenes became touchpoints in discussions about genre-bending horror thrillers. The film prompted think pieces on faith and fanaticism, and directors Beck and Woods reinforced their reputation for tense, character-driven suspense, and inspired lively online debate.