Heretic

Heretic – A Chilling Descent into Faith, Fear, and Fanaticism

Heretic is an upcoming psychological horror film from A24, starring Hugh Grant, and written and directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, the duo known for their work on A Quiet Place. Though full plot details remain largely under wraps, early insight and teasers suggest a terrifying and atmospheric exploration of religious obsession, isolation, and moral ambiguity. With its eerie tone and enigmatic characters, Heretic is poised to become one of A24’s most unsettling offerings to date.

The story reportedly centers on two young missionaries who visit the home of a reclusive man — played by Hugh Grant — in what appears at first to be a routine house call. However, they soon discover that the man is not who he seems. What begins as a polite conversation about faith quickly devolves into a mind-bending trap of manipulation, psychological torment, and spiritual warfare. The missionaries, trained to convert and counsel, now face an adversary who challenges their beliefs — not with argument, but with terrifying deeds.

Hugh Grant’s involvement is a striking turn for the veteran actor. Known predominantly for his charming, often romantic roles, Heretic sees him embrace a much darker, more sinister persona. His character is rumored to be both charismatic and deeply disturbed — a man who weaponizes ideology and ritual, blurring the lines between religious devotion and psychotic delusion. Early buzz from test screenings suggests that Grant delivers a chilling performance, combining unsettling calmness with sudden bursts of cruelty.

Thematically, Heretic draws on questions of faith, authority, and the cost of belief. Like The Witch or Saint Maud, it places religious conviction in the crosshairs and uses horror to dissect its fragility and danger. What happens when faith meets fear? How do people cling to doctrines when faced with real, physical evil? And at what point does blind belief become a prison?

The visual style, hinted at in early stills and set photos, appears stark and foreboding — shadowed interiors, candlelit rooms, and an overall sense of encroaching dread. The direction from Beck and Woods, who’ve proven their talent for tension with A Quiet Place, promises tight pacing and psychological depth rather than jump scares. The horror in Heretic is expected to be more cerebral and existential, with a slow-burning intensity that leaves audiences unsettled long after the credits roll.

Backed by A24, a studio synonymous with intelligent, elevated horror, Heretic is positioned as both an atmospheric thriller and a thought-provoking narrative. With a minimalist cast, a single location (reportedly the man’s remote house), and a script focused on character dynamics, it has the potential to be a modern spiritual successor to Misery, The Exorcist, or The Others.

In conclusion, Heretic looks to be a dark, unnerving exploration of fanaticism and fear — where belief can become a weapon, and salvation may be the most terrifying thing of all. With Hugh Grant in a shocking new role and a sharp, tense script by seasoned horror writers, Heretic is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about genre films of the year.