While a simple formula in movies is presented to us. Two girls go to recluse’s house, evil things follow. Okay simple…. right???
Yet here I am 2 hours removed from watching the movie and I am still contemplating what I saw, and the questions the movie asks.
I have a love of religious horror movies. Obviously, “The Exorcist”, but I also love smaller gems like “Stigmata”, “The Prophecy”, “The Devils” and “Godforsaken” to name a few.
Now, I also love the exploration of Religion, I attended Catholic school as a kid and learned all about that version of religion, but in my later teens, early twenties, I sought out to learn not only the differences in various religions, but also the questions that come with it. Dangerous to question another’s beliefs. Kevin Smith risked his career on “Dogma”. Bill Maher risked violence on himself in “Religulous” and Theo Van Gogh lost his life for a short film about the mistreatment of women of Islamic faith in “Submission”. So, religion will always remain a touchy subject to say the least.
But back to the movie.
Two Mormon missionaries respond to a request to meet a gentleman who is inquiring for more information about their faith at his house. Little did we know that 2024 was the year of Horror and some of the best acting has shown up in movies like “Longlegs”, “The First Omen”, and “Late Night with the Devil”.
Hugh Grant is given the very juicy role of Mr. Reed, and to say too much would be a disservice to anyone who sees this movie. Hugh Grant, long removed from the stumbling over words version we saw in so many classics from the 90s, has been buried.
As of late, he has been on what Martin Short gloriously calls “A Cash run”, appearing in movies like “Wonka” and “Dungeons & Dragons”, looking absolutely miserable in what he is doing. But here he is given great monologues and meaty material. His performance is not over the top, but rather subdued as Mr. Reed believes in what he says.
Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher of “Yellowjackets”) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East) are not one-dimensional characters. They both challenge Mr. Reed on his beliefs in relation to their own and their need to survive.
The blood is minimal, which is for the best, as it’s not the point of the movie. The point of the movie is to quote the villain from “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’s” …..“What you believe”.
The argument is between the faithful and a doubting Thomas. The movie will have you thinking about both sides of the argument about faith and control. Now some might say the movie falls apart towards the end, I haven’t decided yet.
But most of all…. you will never look at the game “Monopoly” the same way again.
Review contributed by Horror-Fix reader Tommy Strother.
