November 6, 2024: Heretic, starring Hugh Grant, has quickly risen to become one of the top-rated horror movies of 2024, with an impressive 96% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. With over 90 critic reviews logged, the film has earned an average score of 7.7/10, solidifying its status as a critical darling. Directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, Heretic has been lauded for both Grant’s chilling performance and the directors’ unique approach to horror storytelling.
2024 has been a standout year for horror, and Heretic sits near the top alongside acclaimed titles like Oddity (96%) and Late Night With the Devil (97%), which currently holds the highest horror rating this year. If scores remain consistent, Heretic will likely secure its spot as one of the top five horror films of the year, joining the ranks of Infested and In Flames.
Also Read: Unveiling the Trailer of ‘Heretic’: Hugh Grant’s Chilling New Horror Film
The film follows Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East), two Mormon missionaries who find themselves trapped in a psychological nightmare after attempting to convert Mr. Reed (Grant), a deeply twisted figure. Inspired by real-life personalities like Jim Jones and Keith Raniere, Grant’s Mr. Reed subjects the young women to a harrowing test of faith, leading audiences through an unsettling psychological thriller that delves into the darkness of human manipulation and control.
Distributor A24 has been instrumental in generating buzz for Heretic, with the first trailer dropping in June. Known for backing films that push genre boundaries, A24 has built a reputation in horror, supporting hits like Hereditary, Midsommar, and The Lighthouse. With Heretic, A24 continues its legacy of bringing high-quality horror to the big screen, raising audience expectations for a uniquely unsettling experience.
For directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, Heretic represents a major comeback. After co-writing 2018’s A Quiet Place, the duo struggled to replicate that level of success with their later projects, such as Haunt and The Boogeyman. Their sci-fi thriller 65, starring Adam Driver, failed to make a significant impact at the box office. Heretic marks their highest-rated feature since A Quiet Place, proving that Beck and Woods are back in top form.
With Halloween just passed, Heretic is well-positioned for strong box office performance, even as horror films tend to perform well year-round when bolstered by positive word-of-mouth. Although Smile 2 remains in theaters, Heretic faces minimal competition as this weekend’s most anticipated release. Hugh Grant’s unexpected role as a sinister villain is likely to attract both horror fans and curious moviegoers familiar with his past rom-com charm.
As Heretic hits theaters on November 8 in the US, it promises to captivate audiences with its intense storyline, disturbing themes, and Grant’s uncharacteristically dark portrayal, marking yet another triumph for A24 in the horror genre. It will only release in India on November 28, 2024.
