Hugh Grant on Having Fun with ‘Very, Very Sick’ Character in ‘Heretic’ (Exclusive)

Hugh Grant stepped out Thursday for the 2024 AFI Fest premiere of his new religious horror film “Heretic," where he spoke to "Extra."

In "Heretic," two young missionaries are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse.

Hugh dished on his character, teasing, "He's infinitely complex — that's always fun — not what he seems, and very, very sick."

As for taking the part, Hugh quipped, “I’m getting weirder and weirder in the stuff I’m doing. I don’t know, it’s bringing something out of me. Maybe I’m very sick.”

When asked what he looks for in a role, Grant said, “You look for depth and complexity, obviously, but I also have a very vigilant eye to make sure it’ll be entertaining, and I can do something fun with them.” 

Hugh noted that he didn’t want to portray a two-dimensional baddie, saying, “He’s got to be someone who you like being and you understand their personal pain and drama and why they are who they are. Otherwise, it can be a bit flat.”

He also reflected on what he hopes people take away, noting, "It's very iconoclastic, my character especially so. But I think that's good, it hopefully will shake people up a bit."