Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East) are young Mormon women, as the names might suggest. You can tell there’s a little competition there. You can also tell there’s a seed of doubt in Barnes. She seems tougher, more knowing as they go about their day spreading the word of Jesus. Which is what leads them to Mr Reed’s (Hugh Grant) house on a rainy afternoon. It’s a door they’ll regret knocking on. The pair insist a woman is present before they enter as Reed charms them in with promise of his wife’s pie. His house is simple, old fashioned, clean but wonderfully creepy, with only one tiny suspiciously thickly glass window and no sign of his wife, something is not right. Grant is remarkably haunting from the get go. His facade certainly seems to fool the women, but the little looks that give the viewer the knowledge that he’s scheming are delightful. It quickly becomes clear that Reed is well versed on Mormonism and has clear views. He’s not as the women were hoping, going to convert. He is the heretic. And they are trapped. This works so brilliantly well because of what Grant is trying to get away from here. He’s typecast as the kindly English gent with the disarming smile. That persona is used to great effect here and the women are reluctantly drawn in, but the question is can Grant do dark and menacing. Not only can he, but he’s magnificent at it. Take nothing away from Thatcher and East though, they go toe to toe as they realise how much trouble they’re in. I know what you’re thinking. Older man, two young women, but that’s far too base. This is a well crafted psychological thriller, a game of cat and mouse with the concept of religion used as a clever conceit. Is he evil. Is he mad. Does it matter. It’s a brilliant, sometimes tropey, always entertaining rollercoaster that delves deeper into darkness. It’s not perfect, the second act feels a little weak, but it redeems itself and hits a satisfying and entertaining finale. Three great performances in a tight and terrifying but very accessible psychological thriller, that does occasionally misstep but is still deviously delightful.
8/10
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