“Heretic” (2024) is a fresh addition to the horror genre that cleverly combines psychological horror with religious and philosophical debate. 

Directed by Bryan Woods and Scott Beck, the film centers on two young Mormon missionaries, Sister Barnes and Sister Paxton (played by Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East), who find themselves trapped in a sinister, intellectually charged encounter with Mr. Reed, played masterfully by Hugh Grant. Reed’s charming facade quickly gives way to a more menacing persona as he challenges the missionaries’ beliefs. 

This movie is simply fantastic. From the amazing performances to the compelling story to the terror you feel all throughout, this movie has something for all horror fans. It is a relief that this movie doesn’t rely solely on jumpscares and really challenges viewers from beginning to end with its ideas and existential questions. 

The cinematography by Chung-hoon Chung heightens the claustrophobic atmosphere, trapping viewers in the protagonists’ tense predicament. 

This release, just after Halloween, has garnered attention as one of the year’s standout horror films, with the highlight of it being Hugh Grant’s performance. It is being widely praised for its chilling transformation of his familiar charm into something sinister and unsettling. Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East caught me by surprise as well as I have never seen them in anything else before this but will certainly be on the lookout for their upcoming projects as they gave it their all in this film. 

Upcoming films to watch

As the year wraps up, a selection of highly anticipated films is set to offer moviegoers a range of experiences, from musical magic to epic historical drama and gothic horror. 

First up is “Wicked”, a long-awaited adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical, which reimagines the story of the Wicked Witch of the West and promises enchanting visuals and music to delight fans both new and old. “Wicked’ comes out November 22. 

In “Gladiator 2”, Ridley Scott returns to ancient Rome to continue the legacy of the iconic original, bringing audiences another intense tale of valor, vengeance, and power. This is so exciting as the original “Gladiator” is one of the best experiences I’ve had watching a movie. Early screenings are raving about potentially Oscar worthy performances by Denzel Washington and Paul Mescal’s and audiences can’t wait to see what the hype is all about. “Gladiator 2” comes out November 22. 

For horror enthusiasts, Robert Eggers’ “Nosferatu” offers a haunting retelling of the vampire legend, with a unique style that honors the silent-era classic while adding Eggers’ signature dark atmosphere. This is my most anticipated movie left this year. 

Robert Eggers has been on a roll in recent years with “The Northman” and “The Lighthouse” and it’s exciting that he gets to put a spin on this classic story. Early reviews have already started talking about how if the Oscars didn’t have (what seems like) such a bias towards horror movies, this movie would be in contention for many awards. 

All we can do is look forward to it and see if these early reviews are really on point. “Nosferatu” comes out December 25.    

Together, these films present a captivating blend of genres and storytelling, making this year’s final releases ones to look out for.