Religion has always been a springboard for controversy and this film is no exception. It all starts very innocently with two young women talking about pornography as they are making rounds in a city to spread their Mormon gospel. Lucky for Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East) they knock on the door of a religious scholar (Hugh Grant) who tests their faith and gullibility, first with Blueberry pie.
This is the fourth collaboration from writer/directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods whose first big success was co-writing A Quiet Place. But the idea for this film was a seed long before that. They’ve been friends since they were both 11. They’d been researching religion for 10 years to make sure the women’s encounter in this film with Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant) was based on accurate detail about faith and institutions.
Watch for some of the Q & A with Writer/Directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods when we saw the film with a sold out crowd at The Music Box Chicago. They talk about finally making the film, casting it, and what they were going for.
Beck and Woods said they had someone else in mind to play the frightening religious homeowner, but kept coming back to Grant for just the right combination of his charm with a sinister undertone. Sister Barnes, (Thatcher – The Book of Boba Fett) was noticed and cast for her work on The Boogeyman last year.
East was picked for her first lead role as Young Sister Paxton (East) she was seen in Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans. She shows just enough innocence trying to believe what Mr. Reed is telling the young missionaries. But Sister Barnes is suspicious from the start, with Reed always challenging the details of their faith. Both Thatcher and East had plenty to draw from since had both grown up in the Mormon Church, but left when they went into acting.
You are drawn slowly in, getting caught up in the give and take by Mr. Reed challenging the Sisters’ knowledge of their Mormon religion. They’re constantly tested by Mr. Reed and led from room to room thinking they will meet Mrs. Reed. Instead, they keep getting in deeper continually questioned about their knowledge, not only about their religion, but all religions. It’s a fascinating game, as Mr. Reed compares religion to the iterations of everything from Monopoly, music (Radiohead, Lana del Ray and the Hollies), and fast food.
The young sisters are confused but getting more suspicious and apprehensive as they go deeper into Mr. Reed’s labyrinth of rooms, including one that looks strangely like a church sanctuary. He keeps giving the women choices, but know they could lead to consequences. Every time they ask to leave, they’re given another choice, still trapped.
The first part of the film is getting to know the characters and the setting.
the second part is the psychological inquisition Mr. Reed cunningly puts these two young missionaries through as they become more fearful. But the last section of the film leaves these women fighting for survival as their resourcefulness and faith is being tested.
We now know why Beck and Woods wanted Hugh Grant to play sly schemer, Mr. Reed. He plays deadly while being so very charming, but Thatcher and East team up well, learning to join his lethal game. Horror fans will be pleased with the final reveals.
A24 1 hour 51 minutes R
