Nobody likes to be bothered by Mormons calling at their door, but Hugh Grant's character in A24's new psychological horror movie, Heretic, maybe take his irritation at being disturbed just a little too far!
Written and directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, who broke through with their script for John Krasinski’s A Quiet Place, Heretic stars Grant as Mr. Reed, who devises some fiendish games for a pair of Mormon missionary's (played by Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who come calling.
Initially wary of coming inside the house, the girls feel more at ease when Reed tells them that his wife is at home and currently baking a pie in the kitchen. However, alarm bells go off when one of them notices a blueberry pie scented candle burning on the table.
Reed tells his prisoners that they he "won’t keep you if you wish to leave, but I want you to choose which door to go through based on your faith.” He then writes “BELIEF” and “DISBELIEF” on two doorways, and makes his "guests" choose.
It looks like the pair find themselves in some sort of trap-filled labyrinth they must attempt to navigate, but there may also be a hint of something supernatural stalking them through the maze.
Interestingly, both Thatcher and East grew up as Mormons, so had a lot of experiences to draw from.
“I do not agree with pretty much anything," Thatcher told Elle in a recent interview after revealing that she no longer practices the religion. “{I] didn’t want to portray any clichés. I wanted it to feel like my family. My co-star, Chloe East, also grew up Mormon. I feel like we both did a good job of making it real and grounded and not a joke.”
Check out the trailer below along with a new poster, and let us know what you think in the comments section.
"Two young missionaries are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse."
The cast also features Elle McKinnon, River Codack, Carolyn Adair, Stephanie Lavigne and Elle Young. Along with Beck and Woods, producers include Katie Aquino, Scott Beck, Liliane Bedford, Julia Glausi, Kai Raka, Stacey Sher and Jeanette Volturno.
Heretic is set to be released in theatres this November.