As someone who has not previously delved much into the horror genre, I felt a nervous anticipation as I waited for the film to begin, with the trailers full of murderous toy monkeys and uncomfortable age gap relationships (the real psychological horror) doing little to relieve the tension.
However, from the moment that Heretic began, I was completely captivated by Sophie Thatcher’s and Chloe East’s portrayal of teenage girlhood, and this feeling only increased as the true horror of the film came into play. I found this this film especially unsettling as a female viewer, as the psychological and physical power dynamics between the older male and the vulnerable young women who were locked into his home created a sense of realistic threat, and was a harsh reminder about the violence that women face through control of their autonomy.
Although Heretic was filled with terrifying scenes, with a constant baseline of tension throughout (heightened by the employment of regular close-up shots) and occasional gore, Hugh Grant played the psychopathic Mr. Reed with an incredible geniality. This also led to occasional comedic moments, lightening the mood of the viewers before plunging them back into the dark story.
The religious themes of the film were also intriguing to consider as an audience member, with some of the points made having the potential to spark interesting debates about the use and role of organised religion in society. While I was unsure whether the film came out on the side of religion or not, it was interesting to see the different perspectives of the characters on these issues.
I found this this film especially unsettling as a female viewer, as the psychological and physical power dynamics between the older male and the vulnerable young women who were locked into his home created a sense of realistic threat, and was a harsh reminder about the violence that women face through control of their autonomy.
Overall, the horror elements were mostly psychological, which may lead some to consider the film not scary enough, however the film draws on the real-life fears of the everyday woman and the place of religion in the world with sensitivity and beautiful cinematography, making it a definite one to watch this year.
