A second trailer is out for the upcoming horror thriller “Heretic” — with the emphasis more on Hugh Grant’s creepy character than on the female Latter-day Saint missionaries he’s terrorizing.
The one-minute teaser, released Thursday by the distributor A24, shows images of Grant’s character setting a table for guests. Religious symbols are prevalent, including a table runner with a Christian cross and a well-indexed copy of the Book of Mormon. On two doors, he writes two words in chalk: “Belief” and “Disbelief.”
The two missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, played by Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East, are seen only briefly, walking their bicycles toward a house. At the end of the trailer, the sound of a doorbell can be heard, and one of the missionaries asks, “Are you ready to hear about Heavenly Father’s plan for you?”
Superimposed on moody shots of Grant and his house are appreciative quotes from critics:
• “Devilishly entertaining. … It keeps you guessing. … Hugh Grant’s most wildly wicked role.” — Entertainment Weekly.
• “Brilliant, nerve-jangling horror.” — IndieWire.
• “A thrilling cat-and-mouse game … sure to have everyone talking.” — ScreenRant.
• “A clever spin on holy horror. … Grant is born again.” — IGN.
• “[Grant] is scary as hell.” — The Verge.
The reviews were written after the movie’s premiere Sept. 8 at the Toronto International Film Festival, where early responses were positive.
The release of the movie’s first trailer in June prompted conversations among former Latter-day Saint missionaries about their own unsettling experiences in the field.
A24 has scheduled “Heretic” to open in theaters nationwide Nov. 8.
