Warning: this article contains spoilers for HereticIt is safe to say that Hugh Grant is a household name, but he's been increasingly showcasing an underestimated talent of his as evidenced in his new horror movie, Heretic. Grant's breakout role came almost four decades ago in the 1987 drama Maurice, which caught the attention of filmmakers and audiences alike. However, it was in his popular 1990s and 2000s romantic comedies that Hugh Grant truly established himself as a movie star.
Films like Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, and Bridget Jones's Diary cemented Grant as one of the most charismatic leading men in the industry. However, after four decades as an actor, Hugh Grant has managed a successful shift in his career to a very different sort of role. His latest film Heretic, which holds a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score, highlights his talent in a very different type of role than the kind that established his career, and keeps alive a three-film streak that he began with a $227 million hit.
Hugh Grant Has Now Played A Great Villain In 3 Movies - And One TV Show
Hugh Grant Has Become A Very Believable Antagonist
Moving past his lovable romantic comedy persona, Hugh Grant has become a fantastic cinematic villain, with several successful roles to show for it. Grant began this streak of villainous roles with Paddington 2, in which his performance as Phoenix Buchanan was highly praised. Likewise, Grant's performance in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves was well-regarded by critics. Even his role in Wonka was slightly antagonistic in the beginning. While these roles were family-friendly and allowed Grant to rely on his previous comedic skills, they represent a distinct turn away from his past as a charming leading man.
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Hugh Grant's role in the 2020 television series The Undoing added the final touch to this career shift, as he proved he could play the morally gray, dramatic role across Nicole Kidman just as well as those more overtly comedic villains. These same dramatic edges and comedic skills elevate Grant's performance in Heretic. In the film, Grant plays Mr. Reed, a recluse who creates a plan to trap two Mormon missionaries. Many have noted the stark departure from his past work, but the classic charms he used previously are only being applied in new and exciting ways.
Hugh Grant Is Quite Disarming
Though Heretic has nothing in common with films like Four Weddings and a Funeral or Notting Hill, Grant's ability to perform charming and comedic roles does give him an edge when playing the darker roles. Hugh Grant uses his charisma to his advantage, whether that is in flirting or in creating a trap. All the things audiences loved about Grant in his rom-coms roles, such as his slight clumsiness or his joking nature, make him the perfect unassuming villain. That surface-level charm can be pulled back to reveal a far more menacing character.
Grant uses some of the same acting mannerisms that he first used in rom-coms: his slight grin, his awkwardness, and even a reminder of boyishness. In Heretic , he uses these for evil.
This is especially true in Heretic, which relies on Mr. Reed's ability to lure the two Mormon missionaries into his home. Mr. Reed wants to be likable, charming, and affable to bring about his plans in Heretic's horrifying ending. Moreover, Grant uses some of the same acting mannerisms that he first used in rom-coms: his slight grin, his awkwardness, and even a reminder of boyishness. In Heretic, he uses these for evil.
Hugh Grant's Villain Role Reveals A Sadder Truth About His Career
Romantic Comedies Are Not As Popular As They Used To Be
Custom Image by Yailin Chacon Romantic comedies are a large part of what audiences know Hugh Grant for. Unfortunately, major studios are simply not as interested in romantic comedies as they used to be. The mid-budget studio romantic comedies that Grant established his fame with have all but disappeared from the box office, giving the actor no real choice but to move in a different direction. While fans of Grant's films are able to revisit many of them on streaming services, it is disheartening that not many new studio rom-coms are being made.
However, several movies in recent years, such as the rom-com Anyone But You and the raunchy comedy No Hard Feelings, show that there could be a slight resurgence in the genre as audiences are still interested. Though audiences grew to love Hugh Grant in his charming romantic roles, even if the genre does come back into popularity, there is no guarantee that he would want to resume those kinds of parts. Instead, given the clear success of his antagonistic roles (such as the role of Mr. Reed in Heretic), Grant should continue to explore villainous parts.
Two young women of faith are drawn into a deadly game of cat and mouse after seeking refuge in the house of a mysterious and unsettling man. As they navigate a labyrinth of psychological and supernatural horrors, their beliefs and survival instincts are pushed to the limit.
Director Scott Beck , Bryan Woods
Writers Scott Beck , Bryan Woods
Release Date November 8, 2024
Studio(s) A24
Runtime 110 Minutes
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English (US) ·