Hugh Grant has had a long career starring in fantastic films, such as Four Weddings and a Funeral and Glass Onion. Grant’s most recent role in the horror film Heretic and it is already being called the best performance of his career.
The actor has revealed that his performance as the villain, Mr. Reed, was inspired by real-life individuals he encountered. During a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Grant discussed the people who inspired his character without naming names:
“There have been people in my life who were useful to me, very clever, charming, and bewitching, but ultimately deeply troubled.” He went on to describe these individuals as struggling to form meaningful relationships and often resorting to “pranks, slightly unfunny jokes, and model-making.”
Grant explained his approach to understanding Mr. Reed:
“I ask myself why he says and does certain things. The answers often lead to his past, which I jot down and create a vast backstory.”
Heretic centers on two sisters who encounter Mr. Reed (Grant), a peculiar homeowner with hidden motives. The film’s trailer hints at Grant’s character’s sinister nature as he invites the girls in under the guise of a religious debate. Soon, the women are drawn into a game of cat and mouse.
The film is from writers-directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, the same creative duo behind A Quiet Place. The cast includes Sophie Thatcher, Chloe East, and Elle McKinnon.
So far, critics are raving about A24’s Heretic, which currently boasts a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. You won’t have to wait too long to see it yourself. Heretic will premiere in the US on November 15 and in the UK on November 21.
