Man, mini-major studio A24 just do not stand still, do they? Here’s yet another low budget, high concept horror flick from the arthouse aces, with an added religious twist.
When is Heretic being released in New Zealand?
Heretic hits New Zealand cinemas on November 21.
What is Heretic about?
Details are incredibly sketchy this far out, but here’s the general gist: two Mormon missionaries knock on the door of a man who invites them in for a little friendly religious debate. Only a) he’s not friendly, b) something very weird is going on, and c) there’s no pie in the oven, which would be disappointing (clock the trailer below for the pie business).
This one comes to us from filmmaking duo Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, who wrote A Quiet Place, and directed the pretty good Haunt, the pretty bad Nightlight, and the should-have-been-much-better-based-on-the-premise-alone sci-fi dinosaur romp, 65. So perhaps adjust your expectations accordingly.
The cast of Heretic
Chloe East and Sophie Thatcher are out hapless missionaries, Sister Paxton and Sister Barnes, while the sinister Mr Reed is played by none other than Hugh Grant, who seems to be enjoying himself. Elle McKinnon, Stephanie Lavigne, Elle Young, River Codack, Haylie Hansen, and Carolyn Adair are in supporting roles, but it’s clear the focus is on our central trio.
Heretic trailer
Why we’re excited about Heretic
Well, it looks like a tight, tense little three hander that delves into some troubling religious and psychological territory, and judging from the glimpses we get in the trailer, there’s something awful in the personal history of Grant’s character waiting to be revealed. Hopefully he’s not just a garden variety serial killer – that strikes us as a wasted opportunity.
When you get a marketing salvo like this that gives almost nothing away, the inherent promise is that something amazing is lurking in the film – some kind of big reveal. Let’s just hope the film makes good on that promise.
