How sound makes a good movie great – Heretic

If you ever doubted the power of sound, check out the movie Heretic. I've banged on for years to all and sundry about how beautiful, detailed foley and so-called 'simple' effects can make a good film great.

Two Mormon evangelists are tricked into a dangerous examination of their own faith by an affable and sinister self-styled philosopher. A delve into religious doctrine, mixed with shockingly stylish horror tropes and a dollop of very dark humour, Heretic is one of the few movies where the sound designer Eugenio Battaglia (MPSE) and the rerecording mixer Michael Babcock lead the end credits. And for good reason. The creepy mechanism of the lighting and locking systems in the house, the beautifully present foley feet, the judicious use of sub, the generous crossover between sound design and score.

Not to mention the dialogue editorial which managed to preserve all the awkward word flubs from the embarrassed young women, and of course that skin-crawlingly terrifying croak from Hugh Grant's Mr. Reed as he puts forward his theories (sorry, hypotheses) in his inimitably supercilious way.

There are few jump-scares that caught me; one that did worked a treat, which is rare in these days of savvy audiences and exposed sonic trade secrets. Most of the spookiness though, as with the best horrors, comes from the buildup of tension and suggestion. The dimly-lit corridor, the wispy draft of wind, the distant suggestion of movement just out of sight and hearing.

Some reviews have found the film a little cheesy or unbelievable; I think that misses the point. The plot is about religion and reality, after all; believably is a large part of the premise. The uncomfortably close and exact sound effects only heighten this idea for me.

I also think the art department deserves a mention, so much of the visual imagery fits the tone of the subject matter perfectly (the 'crown of thorns' moment is particularly delightful). It is the interplay of all these elements of film-making working so well together that make what should be a rather absurd story a rare treat.