New horror film starring Hugh Grant boasts near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score

Hugh Grant has been somewhat type-cast over the years as a quintessentially British rom-com love interest.

He is known for roles in Notting Hill, Bridget Jones, Love Actually, and more recently Wonka and Dungeons and Dragons.

Heretic is Grant’s horror debut and fans are thrilled to see him in a new, and darker, light.

In Scott Beck and Bryan Wood’s new horror, two Mormon missionaries knock on the door of Mr Reed (Grant) who goes on to test their faith in a dark and horrifying way.

Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East) come to Mr Reed’s home in an attempt to spread the word about their religion. But when Mr Reed turns the tables on the two girls, they must rely on their faith to help them escape the horror they find themselves in.

The film has received a whopping 93% Rotten Tomatoes score and fans have flocked to social media to say how much they enjoyed the new horror.

Someone wrote on X: “#Heretic is a meticulously crafted, dialogue-driven philosophical and psychological horror that ponders religion through choice, control, and commercialism - I LOVED it. Hugh Grant is phenomenal as the charming, hilarious and delirious host. 2024s best horror - really great stuff”

Another Heretic fan wrote: “Smart, tense and thought provoking, I was gripped. This is a deliciously chilling slow burn.”

Cinema goers really enjoyed seeing Grant play a villain for a change. One X user wrote: “Hugh Grant was captivating and has never been this menacing.”

Another person added: “Outstanding villainous performance by Hugh Grant”, and someone added: “Hugh Grant was born to play villains.”

Grant is adored by fans for his plethora of appearances in popular movies.

Speaking to Collider, Co-director Beck said: “That was kind of our attraction to Hugh Grant, first and foremost, when we thought of him for this role, is that he has built up so much goodwill with audiences around the world over his romantic comedy movies that we all love and grew up with.

But he’s also gotten into this darker side of his persona in the last 12 years since Cloud Atlas. We love how the mash of those two - the charm, the wit, but the intellect and that darker edge — all coalesces into this world.”

Co-director Beck said: “It’s crazy seeing him on set because he feels like a method actor. He is Mr. Reed. You’re looking at Mr. Reed, and you’re talking to Mr. Reed, and then we’ll wrap, and then he’ll go home and he looks like a movie star.

“He’s so handsome and cool, and it’s like, ‘Who is this guy? We’ve been hanging out with Mr. Reed all day long.’ It’s amazing.”

Heretic is currently available to watch in UK cinemas.