davidaki11

Juror #2 is the story of a man called James Michael Sythe, played by Gabriel Basso, on trial for the murder of his girlfriend. However, the person responsible for her death is family man Justin Kemp, or Juror #2, played by Nicholas Hoult. Will Justin send down a man for life to continue is life with his partner or will he do what's right for justice?

This is a spoiler free review, so it may come across as vague. I would consider the information revealed during the court case as spoilers, as this movie is a court drama.

What I can write about it the acting. Everyone in this movie is great in their roles. Our lead, Nicholas Hoult, who this movie revolves around, plays the family man well and is on an emotional rollercoaster throughout the movie. Battling his inner conscience of what's the right thing to do. Does he send a man down for murder when he knows that he didn't do it? And how can he convince his fellow jurors that the man on trial didn't do it without incriminating himself? All this whilst he has a pregnant wife to think about. When thinking about who stood out in this movie acting wise, the actor that sprung to mind was Gabriel Basso, who plays the man on trial for the murder. Of all the characters, he's probably featured the least, but you could argue, his character is the second most complexed. Gabriel Basso must play the role of a man that could seem guilty, but could also seem innocent at the same time, in equal measures. With the little screen time he has to do this, he did a fantastic job!

The camera work was done efficiently, utilising closeups to convey emotion and the leads inner battles process rather than dialogue. The dialogue was natural, especially between the Justin Kemp and his pregnant partner, Allison Crewson.

The movie is 1 hour and 53 minutes long, and it feels it. There could've been some more cuts, because at the end of the movie, it felt like there was a second ending which would've been interesting to explore, but it felt like it was rushed to wrap up. Having said that, when the jury concluded their final deliberations, the film did have me on the edge of my seat to hear that their conclusion was. But after that, the movie just kept going. It felt as though there was another story to be told, but not enough time to tell it. And that second story could've been very interesting, so a wasted opportunity.

The book Th1rt3en has this same premise, the person on the jury is the one who did it, but the execution is much better.

Overall, the movie just didn't make the most on the interesting premise.

If like me you watched this movie because you wanted to see Hugh Grant play a creepy villain, then you won't be disappointed.

Heretic is the story of 2 young Mormons visiting the house of Mr Reed, Played by Hugh Grant. However, things aren't what they seem.

Out the gate, you meet the 2 Mormon's, Sister Barnes played by Sophie Thatcher and Sister Paxton player by Chloe East. For me personally, I came into this movie for the Hugh Grant show, but these 2 actresses held their own and both gave a great performance. With this movie only really consisting of 3 characters, it's important that 2/3rds of the cast deliver, and they did! Sophie Thatcher's character, Sister Barnes, I'd say is the more in-depth of the 2 Mormons and is the more experienced of the 2. Chloe East's character, Sister Paxton, who is the newer missionary who feels like more of a believer than her counterpart and is eager to convert and spread the word of God. Both their performances mainly consist of being terrified of Mr Reed and fortunately neither fall into the dumb protagonist trope.

Now for Mr Reed, played by Hugh Grant. It's difficult to pinpoint exactly how Hugh Grant plays this character so well. Because the way he acts isn't innately creepy or scary in any way. It's more of a case of context that makes Mr Reed creepy. The way he delivers his dialogue is so calm and, in a way, like he's giving a lecture. Which he is. He's trying to educate and enlighten the 2 Mormons. The way Mr Reed gave me the ick was the way he's condescending and speaks down to you. That and the fact we're in a strange spooky house, where the lights are on a timer and the ceiling is dripping. Mr Reed just feels off!

Above I mentioned the dialogue. Writers/Directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods wrote Heretic beautifully. Giving each character their own identity through their dialogue. Heretic had great cinematography with effective use of close ups and panning shots.

Sounds design was simple yet effective. The sound of creaking floorboards, drips, and old metallic locks and doors really punctuated the idea of this being an old rustic house.

Now this is a spoiler free review, so I'm not going to discuss this part too much, but one aspect of the movie I wish they'd explore more of was the idea of the labyrinth. The figurines and the model labyrinth are featured in the poster and the movie trailer but aren't all that important in the movie. So, if you were expecting a horror like labyrinth movie, then I'd be disappointed. That being said, the set was quite minimal, not much to really discuss. But what was there was simple and effective.

The key theme of Heretic is religion and belief. This movie does a great job at showing both sides of the coin without feeling like it's favouring or attacking one opinion over another. It managed that balancing act well, which is important, as to not feel like it's attacking its audience's point of views or believes.

I will say that I didn't think the movie was that scary. That doesn't bother me much, but it was released around Halloween and was advertised to be a horror movie, so that may affect your enjoyment of the movie, depending on what you were expecting. I'd say it leans more into the thriller mystery elements, which is more my cup of tea.

Overall, I enjoyed Heretic. Didn't feel too long and went at a brisk pace.