If there is one film genre that thrives in confined spaces and is grounded in a single location, it is horror. Heretic by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods serves as the perfect example to support this premise. The directors confine us to a house and, for much of the runtime, to a single room. Using this creative device, they manage to maximize tension and keep the viewer captivated, eagerly awaiting the story’s resolution. Of course, many other examples across different genres also take advantage of the virtues of shooting in a single location, from my perspective, none fit as seamlessly into this ecosystem as horror does.

Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East) belong to a Mormon community and are proselytizing for their church. As part of their mission, they must visit the home of Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant), whom a member of their community has informed is interested in learning more about their church. The sisters are eager not to miss the opportunity to bring another sheep into the fold. When Barnes and Paxton knock on Reed’s door, the screenplay by Beck and Woods begins to kick into gear. Like defenseless prey, the young women enter the snake’s den.

Heretic is a psychological horror film, its narrative rooted in an ideological-religious discussion. From this starting point, the profiles and motivations of the three central characters are introduced. Hugh Grant’s Reed is presented as the puppet master who manipulates the defenseless Barnes and Paxton at will. The music plays a fundamental role in drawing the audience into the director’s intended atmosphere. Veteran cinematographer Chung-hoon Chung (Oldboy, Stoker), along with the editing, completes a perfect trio that ensures the film works flawlessly from a technical standpoint.

From the moment Mr. Reed first appears on screen, his presence exudes fear. His cold and calculating demeanor imbues him with an aura of evil. Without resorting to visual gimmicks, Heretic gradually creates an unsettling atmosphere. The dialogue becomes needles that slowly penetrate us. The cat-and-mouse game proves highly effective in driving the drama forward and moving the story along seamlessly. Perhaps the only thing that could undermine Heretic is the directors’ decision to rush into familiar clichés to resolve the final act. While still effective, the result feels somewhat uneven compared to the rest of the film.

Heretic is a genre film that works very well, delivering outstanding performances, particularly from Hugh Grant, who gives us a chilling and Machiavellian villain.