Movie fans have gone nuts for Hugh Grant’s seemingly unrecognizable transformation in the trailer for the upcoming horror film Heretic.
British star Hugh Grant sported a buttoned-down shirt and sweater with large glasses while speaking with and later trapping two Mormon women in his home.
The two women, Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East), were lured into the house by a seemingly friendly Mr. Reed in the new thriller.
Many film buffs, who can watch Grant’s spine-chilling performance in theaters on November 15, have said the actor is almost unrecognizable after switching from ‘good guy’ roles to playing the villain.
‘Hugh Grant’s turn to villainy over the past few years (at least in terms of the roles he’s taken) has been very inspiring,’ an X user wrote.
Social media users were excited to see an ‘unrecognizable’ Hugh Grant in a June 25 trailer for the film Heretic
Grant portrays Mr Reed – a seemingly friendly man who discusses religion with two Mormon women before trapping them in his house
Grant captured filmgoers’ hearts for his performances in films like Notting Hill, Four Weddings and a Funeral, and Bridget Jones’ Diary.
However, his antagonistic roles have begun to surprise social media users.
‘I wonder if he’s just really good at it, or if it’s something where our collective expectation of who his is on film makes his villain turns more eerie,’ a Reddit user wrote in June.
One of his villainous roles that Reddit and X users mentioned was of Forge Fitzwilliam – a con artist in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.
Now, in the words of an X user, Grant is ‘parlaying his foppish rom com charm and channeling it into devious maniacs.’
Grant’s character, Mr Reed, requests two Mormon women Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East) to choose an exit based on their faith
Fans have described their excitement for the upcoming movie starring Hugh Grant
Various X users showed interest in the film due to Grant’s decision to take on more antagonist roles.
‘This looks interesting and promising. Have Hugh Grant as the antagonist in a horror film is great,’ an X user tweeted.
Another person referred to his appearance as a man in ‘his grumpy era on steroids,’ and an X user wrote that he ‘made the face’ in the film trailer.
‘This gives me H.H. Holmes vibes – the serial killer that created the murder castle, like a play on that story but modern take,’ a person tweeted.
X users have been praising Hugh Grant’s decision to take on more antagonistic roles, and one person called his character a ‘monster’
Reddit users were also impressed with Grant’s antagonist performance.
‘This sounds fantastic. I’m sure Hugh Grant will play a total nutter,’ a Reddit user wrote in a June post.
Another person wrote: ‘I think he’s having a great time playing villains, and he’s doing it brilliantly.’
Others have begun making predictions on what will happen to Grant’s character, and if movie viewers would see his so-called wife.
‘It would have been interesting if they thought he had sinister motives the entire movie and at the end his wife comes out with blueberry pie and he was telling the truth the whole time,’ wrote a Reddit user.
‘From what they show in the trailer this is not the case, still looks interesting.’
Various Reddit users have mainly praised his portrayal of the Heretic antagonist rather than his appearance
Over 12.5 million YouTubers watched the Heretic trailer that was released by A24 on June 25.
At least YouTubers believe it will be ‘fun’ to watch Grant’s portrayal, while others were stunned to see just how evil the actor can be in a film.
‘I never realized that Hugh Grant would make a great psycho killer,’ wrote one person.
Another person wrote: ‘I love the awkward face he pulls when he says “It may even make you want to die.” Classic Hugh Grant.’
