How A24's Heretic introduces a new side of Hugh Grant

From a charming Notting Hill bookseller, to a disgruntled Oompa Loompa, there's no doubt that Hugh Grant has range. Now, the English actor is showing audiences his twisted side with his new horror film, Heretic.

The story follows two Mormon missionaries who, while out canvassing one day, knock on the door of a man named Mr. Reed, played by Grant. What begins as a typical conversation about the nature of faith quickly proves to be treacherous, as Mr. Reed reveals his diabolical intentions. The two women are then forced to play a deadly game of cat-and-mouse in order to escape his house of horrors.

Today on Commotion, entertainment reporter Teri Hart and podcaster Ashley Ray join guest host Rad Simonpillai to discuss the new thriller Heretic, and what the film says about organized religion.

We've included some highlights below, edited for length and clarity. For the full discussion, listen and follow Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud on your favourite podcast player.

Rad: Ashley, let's talk about Hugh Grant for a second because, of course, this is the guy that was, like, king of the '90s rom-com. But it feels like he's been kind of cutting loose lately, being a little more adventurous in his roles. I mean, he's in his villain era — I think that began with Paddington 2. Recently we saw him playing an Oompa Loompa in Wonka. But this is probably the creepiest we've ever seen him. So what do you make of his performance?

Ashley: Oh, absolutely amazing. He is clearly on demon time. He has figured out how to get that eerie twist when he needs it, of, "I'm not charming anymore. I'm terrifying." And I think it's the sort of role that only someone like Hugh Grant could play, because the premise of this is two girls who have never in their life encountered a true crime documentary. Any other girl, they're going to walk to this house, immediately see any other guy who doesn't look like Hugh Grant and be like, "I'm out of here." Hugh Grant, he's able to kind of be like, "I'm so charming. Please come in, I have pie!" And then it slowly starts to unveil itself, and you're sort of as a viewer asked, do you believe in this man, or do you not believe in him? 

And I think if you do, then it does have some more horror elements because you're wondering, "OK, maybe this guy isn't so awful and he just really loves religion." But if you walk through it going, "No, he immediately put on serial killer glasses. Ladies, come on," as I was screaming, it does feel a little bit more of this cat-and-mouse thing of, like, women, wake up. He is pointing out all of these ways that you have been controlled and subjugated. Let's start putting it together. So I loved the cat-and-mouse psychological thriller aspects. I can't say I was afraid of the horror, but you really get pulled into Hugh Grant's performance and just kind of want to see what he's going to do.

Rad: You know, my big takeaway from that is I need to take you bifocal shopping if I ever need to, so I know that I don't ever buy serial killer glasses.

Teri, this is a movie where you've got two women playing missionaries, Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East. They actually both grew up in Latter-day Saints families, and they've talked about having some hesitation about this…. They were wary about how missionaries might be depicted in film, but the script ultimately drew them in. So how do you think that their shared history impacts their performances?

Teri: Firstly, I just want to say, like, a serial killer outfit? It was the cardigan that gave him away for me. Everybody is talking about Hugh Grant in Heretic, and deservedly so, but I think, hot take: he can only be as good as he is because the girls are so good. They're handing him this on a silver platter, or a pie plate, if we can. What they have to pull off to make this completely believable is the absolute innocence within their faith. You don't question for a second why they're doing what they're doing.

So the memes, the things — don't go in the basement! — you don't feel that with these two girls, Sister Paxton and Sister Barnes, because they are so entrenched in their faith of Mormonism. You don't question that their mission is the most important aspect of their life, and that's what makes the movie work so well…. That is what allows the entire device of them going into this house and believing Hugh Grant. They ask all the right questions. They do everything that their mission has taught them to do…. and he just sells them on it. They are going with their belief in God and faith.

Rad: Rightfully praising Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East. It takes a lot to go toe to toe with Hugh Grant, and the fact that they hold their own? Sorry, Timothée Chalamet, you didn't do it. These two did.

Teri: No, but when they have to react to him … they are delivering that emotional turn. Hugh Grant is actually kind of one-note throughout. They're the ones who have to do the emotional arc of the change, of figuring out the situation that they're in and what they're going to do about it.

Ashley: They're the ones who have to sell us on the ending of the movie and how it works, because, really, Hugh Grant — and I'm not going to reveal anything — but his thesis is maybe something a 13 year old would figure out watching a South Park episode. So "does it really work" is their being convinced of it and disbelief of it. That's what really drives the film.

You can listen to the full discussion from today's show on CBC Listen or on our podcast, Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud, available wherever you get your podcasts.

Panel produced by Stuart Berman.