Heretic
Two Mormon missionaries – Sisters Barnes and Paxton – head to the house of Mr. Reed – who wishes to learn more about the Church of Latter Day Saints. They are welcomed into his home, and his cheerful nature comforts them – but as the day goes by (and a thunderous storm rages outside), inside his character turns – and he becomes
Direction
A brilliant directing effort from Scott Beck & Bryan Woods who tell a dark and sinister story by way of camera movements and lens usage. The pair also wrote the film.
When the first signs Reed is more sinister than kind – there are both close up shots and 360° spins which add to the eeriness.
One shot later in the film has one of the girls running through the “maze” of the house, and a “gods view” shows her in a human size “rat maze”. Just brilliant.
There are also some interesting camera lens choices, which show Reeds house almost as a fishbowl effect.
Cast/Characters
Hugh Grant plays the villainous Mr. Reed – who in his first moments on screen is charming – giving off the characteristics which made him a household name in the 1990’s. He jokes with the girls, and is warm and inviting.
When his character turns, he is believably frightening – and this is without a doubt the best role of his career to date.
Sophie Thatcher plays the world wise Sister Barnes. Her character’s history is written organically. She plays the more mature of the two girls, with her confidence – and experience as not just a person but as a missionary as well.
Chloe East gets my MVP. She begins the movie as a shy, introverted – almost naive in her life experience. Throughout the movie, as Reed’s mind games get more intense – she has the growth – and gets more life experience.
Screenplay/Setting
I absolutely loved the screenplay, and Reed’s diatribe of both controversial topics (polygamy), to his ‘iterations’ discussion is near flawless – and understandable why it took 10 years of research in order to perfect it from the screenwriters.
The ‘one true religion’ – which is something Reed has dedicated years of his life to discovering is revealed in the final arc of the film – and it was refreshing that this film didn’t take the ‘supernatural’ and ‘magic’ element. He is just a real man doing terrible things. Because he is a ‘natural’ villain, this also makes it all the more frightening.
The story takes place in an unnamed city (and for non American audiences like myself, it would be impossible to decipher which state its set in), and Mr Reed’s house – with its vintage interiors – plays out like a haunted house.
The addition to the storm raging outside is just another variable that adds to the tension that the girls must face. While they never are ‘in’ the storm directly, it feels as though it is a metaphor for the ‘storm’ inside the house.
Paxton has an infinity for butterfly’s throughout the movie, and they almost represent her journey throughout the film ** spoilers ** as she ‘grows’ – she becomes a butterfly herself. The final moments of the film, where one lands on her hand – could be interpreted that her story ended earlier in the basement… I would like to believe that she survived.
Score/Soundtrack
There is a subtle score at times, but more attention is on the diegetic sound – especially at times where the girls hear Reed walking through the house, using the light timer – or even the sound of the storm outside.
Thatcher herself does a cover (iteration) of Knocking on Heaven’s Door over the credits.
Overall
From the screenplay, to the directing – acting/sets and even to the sound editing, this is a near perfect film.
While a couple of things I would have done differently like keeping Topher Grace’s Elder Kennedy off screen until he rings the doorbell, it would have made his cameo more surprising and kept the girls storyline going.
A great effort.
4/5