‘Heretic’ Directors on Making Hugh Grant Evil and Their Ambitious Idea for ‘Spiritual Sequels’ That Go to ‘Uncomfortable Places’

As a film enthusiast who appreciates the versatility and depth that an actor can bring to a role, I am utterly captivated by the extraordinary performance of Hugh Grant in “Heretic.” His ability to seamlessly transition between villainous and charming, combined with his dedication to delivering thought-provoking dialogue about complex religious ideas, is nothing short of mesmerizing.

SPOILER ALERT: This interview contains mild spoilers for “Heretic,” in theaters now.

In the latest film “Heretic,” distributed by A24, the duo of writers and directors, Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, unfold a tale centered around an enigmatic individual named Mr. Reed. He finds himself in a predicament when he confines two Mormon missionaries within his residence, after they endeavor to share their religious beliefs with him.

To initiate the filming process, Beck and Woods encountered a distinct hurdle: the intricate role of Mr. Reed required casting. The perfect leading actor should be capable of instantaneously transitioning between malevolent and alluring personas, while also delivering profound dialogues revolving around religious concepts.

They found the part challenging as it was not for the timid, yet upon observing one of Hugh Grant’s transformative performances, Beck and Woods couldn’t help but envision him in that role.

Woods expresses his astonishment over Hugh’s talent. He grew up watching Hugh’s romantic comedies, but it was when they saw ‘Cloud Atlas’ that they realized Hugh played multiple roles. This discovery sparked excitement as they appreciated seeing an artist push their boundaries. Over the next decade, Woods believes Hugh has solidified himself as one of the most remarkable character actors in cinema by taking on diverse roles.

Woods says that Grant’s dynamic performance results from his above-and-beyond work ethic.

Woods reveals his insight: this individual thrives on taking chances, a trait he observed closely. He’s incredibly thorough when it comes to research, scrutinizing every detail of the script. If there were areas he found confusing or unfamiliar, they would discuss and debate these points extensively until they reached a common understanding. Over 200 emails were exchanged on various film-related topics. His eagerness to grasp our perspectives, particularly those related to religion and philosophy, and Reed’s background, was evident.

As I delved into this cinematic masterpiece, I found myself immersed in the meticulous crafting of Grant’s character. This intricate preparation allowed me, as an actor, to unearth layers within my own persona that resonated profoundly with the roles portrayed by Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East – compelling missionaries who became pivotal components of the narrative.

Woods explains, ‘We collectively constructed Reed’s background tale and later passed it on to Hugh. He embraced the role completely, making it his own character. His method is incredibly detailed and profound, and when he arrives on set, he simply embodies Mr. Reed. When he freestyles or ad-libs, which was uncommon due to his respect for the script, but when he does, it’s always in character. Sometimes, an actor’s improvisation can seem out of place, leaving you wondering where that line originated or how it advances the story. With Hugh, every instance is like magic.’

The passion that Grant instilled ignited the filmmakers for a project deeply meaningful to them. Despite achieving fame through writing massive action-fantasy scripts, such as “A Quiet Place” (2018) and “65” (2023), Beck and Woods sought to explore an entirely different genre with “Heretic.

Beck explains that the motivation for this new project was a desire to explore uncharted territories, having previously created films without dialogue. This idea stems from the longstanding partnership and friendship between him and Bryan, which has often led them to discuss profound themes such as existentialism, religion, and the mysteries of life. They are particularly interested in how people turn to religion for answers about life’s unknowns and comfort beyond death. This, they agree, is the most significant fear and question that humanity continually seeks to address.

The pair might express enthusiasm for creating additional movies that emulate the essence of “Heretic,” as they are on a quest for deeper understanding.

Beck explains that some aspects of their upcoming projects are reminiscent of spiritual successors. These parts delve into controversial topics like religion, cults, or other sensitive subjects that create discomfort but are relevant for today’s screen. He mentions that “Heretic” stood out because while many films touch on religious themes, they often lack a thought-provoking foundation for post-viewing discussions. The team aims to encourage such conversations with their upcoming projects, as they believe the world is currently so divisive and polarized that engaging debates are still captivating. They intend to incorporate these intriguing dialogues into their future works.

‘Heretic’ Directors on Making Hugh Grant Evil and Their Ambitious Idea for ‘Spiritual Sequels’ That Go to ‘Uncomfortable Places’

2024-11-09 20:47

‘Heretic’ Directors on Making Hugh Grant Evil and Their Ambitious Idea for ‘Spiritual Sequels’ That Go to ‘Uncomfortable Places’

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