heretic movie reviews

The 6 Things You Need to Know About Hugh Grant's Unholy New Role in 'Heretic'

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

A24 has just released the trailer for its latest horror movie, Heretic , this past week. While many people have expressed shock to see Hugh Grant step into the shoes of a sadistic psychopath, many are eager to see what he will bring to the table in his first villainous role. ( Bridget Jones’s Diary does not count, despite whatever strong feelings may come up when thinking about his womanizing character, Daniel Cleaver). This article will tell you everything you need to know about the upcoming thriller before it hits theaters this fall!

6 When Is The Release Date for ‘Heretic’?

Heretic is slated to have a theatrical release on November 15, 2024, giving audiences ample time to mentally prepare for the shock of seeing Grant embrace his darker side. After its theatrical run, we will likely get to see the film available on Max sometime in the new year, as Max currently has a deal with A24 to stream the production company’s films. Heretic will share a release date with Here , a Robert Zemeckis drama film starring Tom Hanks and Robin Wright , Ridley Scott 's Gladiator 2 starring Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington , and the holiday action-comedy Red One starring Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans .

5 Watch the Trailer for ‘Heretic’

The official trailer for Heretic was released by A24 on June 25, 2024. Set to "The Air That I Breathe" by The Hollies , the trailer opens with the two young missionaries struggling to find any interested converts. That all changes when they knock on the door of Mr. Reed, who invites them in claiming that his wife is baking pie. At first, Mr. Reed seems to be a deeply spiritual and level-headed man, but that's all a facade, especially when one of the missionaries makes a startling discovery.

4 Who Stars In ‘Heretic’?

Hugh Grant takes the lead in this suspense-thriller as the antagonist, Mr. Reed. On the surface, he seems well-mannered and polite, but so did Anthony Hopkins when he portrayed the infamous Hannibal Lecter . As previously mentioned, this is Grant’s first venture into villainy. Previously, he’s been best known as a delightful charmer, with roles like the awkward-yet-loveable Prime Minister in Love, Actually , William Thacker in Notting Hill , and Will Freeman in About A Boy . More recently, he’s stepped into more comedic roles, such as Lofty the Oompa Loompa in Wonka , and a snarky historian in the Netflix mockumentaries Death to 2020 and Death to 2021 . While he is reprising his character, Daniel Cleaver, in the upcoming 4th installment of the Bridget Jones franchise, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy in 2025, it will be hard to shake the image of his evil persona from Heretic .

Joining Hugh Grant in Heretic are Yellowjackets ’ Sophie Thatcher as Sister Barnes and Chloe East ( The Fabelmans ) as Sister Paxton. In addition to Yellowjackets , Thatcher also starred alongside Pedro Pascal in the 2018 sci-fi adventure drama, Prospect , and more recently in the miniseries The Book of Boba Fett and the Stephen King horror adaptation, The Boogeyman . She will also be appearing in another upcoming A24 horror movie, MaXXXine , which is the third installment of Ti West ’s trilogy. Chloe East started her acting career in 2013, with her first role in the drama, Out of Reach . She then went on to appear in a few episodes of the HBO series, True Blood , before becoming more prominent in shows like Kevin (Probably) Saves the World and Generation . Her first venture into the realm of horror movies comes with the horror-comedy, The Wolf of Snow Hollow , as Jenna, the teenage daughter of Officer John Marshall.

3 What Is ‘Heretic’ About?

Mormon missionaries Sister Paxton (East) and Sister Barnes (Thatcher) are traveling from door to door, trying to recruit new members to their religion. After multiple dismissals and rude responses, they are relieved to knock on a door and meet Mr. Reed (Grant), who is welcoming to them. He invites them inside to chat after assuring them that his wife is home as well, baking a pie in the kitchen. When he excuses himself to check on the pie, Sister Barnes realizes that the smell of the pie is coming from a scented candle, and they are alone in the house with Reed. When they try to escape, he presents them with a choice between two doors, one labeled “Belief,” and the other, “Disbelief.”

In a sordid game of cat and mouse, the two young women will have to put their faith to the test as they make their way through his labyrinth of twisting tunnels, trap doors, and booby traps. It’s clear in the trailer that he is a skilled woodworker, complete with a miniature version of his maze-like house. In a way, the modifications he made to his home are indicative of the infamous serial killer, H. H. Holmes of the late 1800s, who designed a “murder castle” out of a hotel, complete with hidden rooms, dead ends, and torture chambers. In Heretic , Mr. Reed challenges the strength of the two women’s faith in their religion, making them question everything they thought they once knew about God and the Devil.

The official plot had been largely kept under wraps until recently, with the official synopsis from A24 reading:

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

2 Who Is Making ‘Heretic’?

Heretic is written and directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods , backed by their own production company, Beck/Woods, A24, Catchlight Studios, and Shiny Penny. A24 will distribute the film. Scott Beck and Bryan Woods met while attending the University of Iowa, where they founded Bluebox Films and created the films Her Summer and University Heights . University Heights won MTVU’s “Best Film on Campus” competition that year, securing a development deal with MTV Films for Beck and Woods. Since then, they have worked together previously as writers on numerous films such as A Quiet Place , The Boogeyman , Haunt , and 65 , co-directing the latter two films as well.

In addition to writing and directing Heretic , Beck and Woods also co-produced the film, along with Stacey Sher ( Django Unchained ), Jeanette Volturno ( The Invisible Man ), Julia Glausi ( Fail State ), Liliane Bedford ( A Black Lady Sketch Show ), Kai Raka ( Desus & Mero ), and Katie Aquino . The music design is handled by Chris Bacon , who composed the score for 65 , Wednesday , Men In Black: International , and worked in the music department for films like I Am Legend and King Kong .

1 When and Where Did ‘Heretic’ Film?

Heretic was primarily filmed in Vancouver, between October 3 and November 16, 2023. The film was granted an interim agreement to allow production to continue during the SAG-AFTRA strike that year.

Hugh Grant Gets Creepy and Traps Two Young Mormon Missionaries in A24’s ‘Heretic’ Trailer

By Lexi Carson

Lexi Carson

• Tate McRae Sings With Kid Laroi, Shouts Out Jake Shane at Madison Square Garden Debut: Concert Review 2 weeks ago
• ‘Furiosa’ Sets Max Streaming Release Date 4 weeks ago
• ‘Emily in Paris’ Season 4 Trailer: Emily Is Ready for French Flings After Double Romances Fizzle in Part 1 on Netflix 1 month ago

Don’t take your faith for Granted. A24 has released the first trailer for its latest horror film “ Heretic ,” which stars Hugh Grant as a man who is visited by two young Mormon missionaries ( Chloe East and Sophie Thatcher ) who he then puts through an intense series of psychological games.

Related Stories

Disney’s Theme Parks Problem Is a Monster of Its Own Making

Netflix U.K. Content Boss Anne Mensah on Creating Blockbuster British Shows, Steady Commissioning and Genre Expansion (EXCLUSIVE)

Popular on variety.

Production on “Heretic” took place last fall in Vancouver during the SAG-AFTRA strike, with a guild-approved interim agreement. The cast also includes Elle McKinnon, River Codack, Carolyn Adair, Stephanie Lavigne and Elle Young. Along with Beck and Woods, producers include Katie Aquino, Scott Beck, Liliane Bedford, Julia Glausi, Kai Raka, Stacey Sher and Jeanette Volturno.

Grant’s made a habit out of playing villains in recent years, playing schemers in films like “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,” “Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre,” “The Gentlemen” and “Paddington 2.” But he hasn’t led a horror film since his late-20s, when he starred in Ken Russell’s 1988 pagan barnburner “The Lair of the White Worm.”

Meanwhile, East is best known for her role in Steven Spielberg’s “The Fabelmans” and Thatcher is a main actor on Showtime’s “Yellowjackets.”

Watch the trailer for “Heretic” below.

More from Variety

Oasis’ Liam and Noel Gallagher Drop Biggest Hint Yet That Group Is Reuniting

‘Borderlands’ Blunder Proves Hollywood Hasn’t Mastered Adapting Video Games to Film

Oasis Streams Surge Globally on Spotify Amid Reunion Rumors

Ticketmaster’s ‘Dynamic Pricing’ for Oasis Tickets Set to be Investigated by U.K. Government

Oasis at War: Liam and Noel Gallagher’s 10 Biggest Fights

More from our brands, paula abdul cancels canada tour over injuries: ‘breaks my heart’.

$6.2 Million Will Score You This Seventh-Floor Spread at the Dakota in N.Y.C.

Navarro, Pegula Highlight Billionaire Parents at U.S. Open

The Best Loofahs and Body Scrubbers, According to Dermatologists

The Bachelorette’s Finale Was an Exercise in Needless Cruelty

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

Directed By : Scott Beck, Bryan Woods

Written By : Scott Beck, Bryan Woods

Sophie Thatcher

Sister barnes, sister paxton, stephanie lavigne, elle mckinnon, carolyn adair, driver with car, river codack, missionary #1 (elder simmons), haylie hansen, critic reviews.

Critic reviews are not available for this movie yet.

User Reviews

User reviews are not available for this movie yet.

Related Movies

Rosemary's baby, the bride of frankenstein, don't look now, invasion of the body snatchers, frankenstein, repulsion (re-release), the texas chain saw massacre, it's such a beautiful day, eyes without a face [re-release], night of the living dead, the innocents, the invisible man, the wicker man, the wolf house, related news.

September 2024 Movie Preview

Keith kimbell.

Get details on this month's most notable new films including a long-awaited Beetlejuice sequel, Francis Ford Coppola's controversial passion project, and much more.

2024 Movie Release Calendar

Jason dietz.

Find a schedule of release dates for every movie coming to theaters, VOD, and streaming throughout 2024 and beyond, updated daily.

DVD/Blu-ray Releases: New & Upcoming

Find a list of new movie and TV releases on DVD and Blu-ray (updated weekly) as well as a calendar of upcoming releases on home video.

Every Alien Movie, Ranked

We rank every film in the Alien franchise, from the 1979 original to the new Alien: Romulus, from worst to best by Metascore.

Every Movie Based on a Videogame, Ranked

We rank every live-action film adapted from a video game—dating from 1993's Super Mario Bros. to this month's new Borderlands—from worst to best according to their Metascores.

Heretic: release date, trailer, cast and everything we know about the Hugh Grant psychological thriller

Hugh Grant wants you to choose between belief and disbelief.

Remember the charming, aloof Hugh Grant that was the star of so many romantic comedies back in the day? Yeah, that Hugh Grant is nowhere to be found in the 2024 new movie Heretic , a psychological thriller from A24 that sees Grant make a creepy villain turn.

Heretic is just one of many thriller/horror movies coming out from A24 this year. It joins a lineup that includes Love Lies Bleeding , I Saw the TV Glow , MaXXXine and The Front Room .

To find out more about Heretic , read on to for all the information we have on the movie, including when it is coming out, who stars alongside Grant and its trailer.

Heretic release date

A24 has given Heretic a premiere date of November 15 in the US exclusively in movie theaters. It is set to arrive a week later, November 22, for UK movie fans. 

Before that, however, Heretic is going to screen as part of the Toronto International Film Festival, which takes place between September 5-15.

Heretic cast

As we mentioned, Hugh Grant is best known for his roles in many classic romantic comedies, including Four Weddings and a Funeral , Notting Hill and Love, Actually , but in recent years he has been embracing a darker side, playing the villain role in a number of movies. This included his acclaimed performance in Paddington 2 , but also movies like Cloud Atlas , The Gentlemen and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves .

Starring opposite Grant in the movie are two young actresses, Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East. Thatcher's credits to date include a four-episode stint on Chicago Med , When the Streetlights Go On , The Book of Boba Fett and, most notably, playing Natalie/Atalie in Yellowjackets . East, meanwhile, has starred in Kevin (Probably) Saves the World , Generation and the Steven Spielberg movie The Fabelmans .

Heretic plot

An original script co-written by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, here is the official synopsis for Heretic from A24:

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

Heretic trailer

Get a preview of Grant's wicked performance and the psychological torment his character wages in the Heretic trailer directly below: 

Scott Beck and Bryan Woods movies

Beck and Woods are also directing Heretic . The pair are long-time collaborators as both writers and directors. Here is a list of the feature movies that they have directed together: 

• The Bride Wore Blood (2006)
• Nightlight (2015)
• Haunt (2019)

Together they also directed the TV movie Spread and three episodes of the TV series 50 States of Fright . They also famously wrote the screenplay for the original A Quiet Place with John Krasinski and, more recently, the script for the 2023 horror movie The Boogeyman . 

Get the What to Watch Newsletter

The latest updates, reviews and unmissable series to watch and more!

Michael Balderston is a DC-based entertainment and assistant managing editor for What to Watch, who has previously written about the TV and movies with TV Technology, Awards Circuit and regional publications. Spending most of his time watching new movies at the theater or classics on TCM, some of Michael's favorite movies include Casablanca , Moulin Rouge! , Silence of the Lambs , Children of Men , One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest and Star Wars . On the TV side he enjoys Only Murders in the Building, Yellowstone, The Boys, Game of Thrones and is always up for a Seinfeld rerun. Follow on Letterboxd .

Queer: cast, plot and everything we know about the Daniel Craig movie

The 100 best Netflix movies to stream in September

How to watch Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist online, inc. free streams

Most Popular

• 2 All Creatures Great and Small series 5 finally gets a release date — welcome back Tristan!
• 3 Strictly Come Dancing start date is revealed — and it's very soon
• 4 Move over Horrible Histories! BBC announces Horrible Science
• 5 Tell Me Lies season 2 episode 2 recap: can all be forgiven?

Screen Rant

110 Minutes

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

Your Rating

Scott Beck Bryan Woods

Reviews (0)

Have You Watched It?

Be the first to leave your review.

Sophie Thatcher

Elle mckinnon, stephanie lavigne, seasons (4).

Season 1 (2016)

Season 2 (2018), season 3 (2022), season 4 (2026), heretic official trailer, images (13), users reviews (125).

We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the review below and remember to keep it respectful.

Your comment has not been saved

Latest Stories

A24’s exciting new horror movie already avoided 2024's worst genre trend, a24’s new horror movie is even more exciting thanks to 2023’s underrated $82 million stephen king adaptation, a24 is finally bringing an end to a horror movie trope that's overstayed its welcome, related titles.

eternal sunshine of the spotless mind

BABY REINDEER

Log in or sign up for Rotten Tomatoes

Trouble logging in?

By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes.

Email not verified

Let's keep in touch.

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

• Upcoming Movies and TV shows
• Rotten Tomatoes Podcast
• Media News + More

By clicking "Sign Me Up," you are agreeing to receive occasional emails and communications from Fandango Media (Fandango, Vudu, and Rotten Tomatoes) and consenting to Fandango's Privacy Policy and Terms and Policies . Please allow 10 business days for your account to reflect your preferences.

OK, got it!

• About Rotten Tomatoes®
• Login/signup

Movies in theaters

• Opening This Week
• Top Box Office
• Coming Soon to Theaters
• Certified Fresh Movies

Movies at Home

• Fandango at Home
• Prime Video
• Most Popular Streaming Movies
• What to Watch New

Certified fresh picks

• 73% Blink Twice Link to Blink Twice
• 95% Strange Darling Link to Strange Darling
• 86% Between the Temples Link to Between the Temples

New TV Tonight

• 100% Slow Horses: Season 4
• 97% English Teacher: Season 1
• -- The Perfect Couple: Season 1
• -- Tell Me Lies: Season 2
• -- Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist: Season 1
• -- Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos: Season 1
• -- Outlast: Season 2
• -- The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Season 1
• -- Selling Sunset: Season 8
• -- Whose Line Is It Anyway?: Season 14

Most Popular TV on RT

• 73% Kaos: Season 1
• 83% The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: Season 2
• 88% Terminator Zero: Season 1
• 100% Dark Winds: Season 2
• 95% Only Murders in the Building: Season 4
• 92% Bad Monkey: Season 1
• Best TV Shows
• Most Popular TV

Certified fresh pick

• 97% English Teacher: Season 1 Link to English Teacher: Season 1
• All-Time Lists
• Binge Guide
• Comics on TV
• Five Favorite Films
• Video Interviews
• Weekend Box Office
• Weekly Ketchup
• What to Watch

Venice Film Festival 2024: Movie Scorecard

Best Movies of 2024: Best New Movies to Watch Now

What to Watch: In Theaters and On Streaming

Awards Tour

Joker: Folie à Deux First Reviews: Joaquin Phoenix Shines Again in ‘Deranged, Exciting, and Deeply Unsettling’ Sequel

Renewed and Cancelled TV Shows 2024

• Trending on RT
• Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
• Top 10 Box Office
• Venice Film Festival
• Popular Series on Netflix

Heretic Reviews

No All Critics reviews for Heretic.

• Now Playing
• Airing Today
• Popular People
• Discussions
• Leaderboard
• Alternative Titles
• Cast & Crew
• Release Dates
• Translations
• Backdrops 8
• Content Issues 0

Heretic (2024)

Login to use TMDB's new rating system.

Welcome to Vibes, TMDB's new rating system! For more information, visit the contribution bible .

• Play Trailer

Question everything.

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

Bryan Woods

Director, Writer

Top Billed Cast

Sophie Thatcher

Sister Barnes

Sister Paxton

Elle McKinnon

Sorority Girl #2

Stephanie Lavigne

River Codack

Missionary #1

Carolyn Adair

Driver with Car

Full Cast & Crew

• Discussions 0

We don't have any reviews for Heretic.

• Most Popular

Status Released

Original Language English

• cat and mouse
• eccentric man
• women of faith

Content Score 

Yes! Looking good!

Looks like we're missing the following data in en-US or en-US ...

Top Contributors

17 MidlajYH

12 furkan31

View Edit History

Popularity Trend

Login to edit

Keyboard Shortcuts

Login to report an issue

You need to be logged in to continue. Click here to login or here to sign up.

Can't find a movie or TV show? Login to create it.

On media pages

On tv season pages, on tv episode pages, on all image pages, on all edit pages, on discussion pages.

Want to rate or add this item to a list?

Not a member?

Sign up and join the community

Join or Sign In

Sign in to customize your TV listings

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy .

• TV Listings
• Cast & Crew

Heretic Reviews

• 1 hr 27 mins
• Horror, Suspense
• Watchlist Where to Watch

Despite the trappings of the contemporary world surrounding her, an enigmatic mystic plunges deeper and deeper into occult practices to begin communing with the dead. However, when she pushes her abilities a step too far, she finds herself reckoning with forces beyond her wildest and most sinister imagination.

• Photo Gallery
• World Records
• World History
• Indian Dance
• Indian Music

Kids Portal For Parents India Kids Network

Heretic: 2024 American Horror Thriller Film Trailer, Review

4to40.com June 28, 2024 Movie Reviews 280 Views

Heretic : Movie Name Directed by:  Julian Farino Starring: Hugh Grant, Chloe East, Sophie Thatcher Genre:  Horror ,  Thriller Running Time:  – Minutes Release Date: November 15, 2024 Rating:  – Languages:  English Production House: A24, Beck/Woods, Catchlight Studios, Shiny Penny

Plot under wraps. Rumored to follow two young women of religion who are drawn into a game of cat and mouse in the house of a strange man.

Heretic: Movie Overview

This is an upcoming American  horror thriller film written and directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods. It stars Hugh Grant, Chloe East, and Sophie Thatcher.

When two Mormon missionaries attempt to convert a man, it turns out to be far more dangerous than they could have anticipated.

In June 2023, it was reported that Scott Beck and Bryan Woods wrote and would direct the A24 film, Heretic. Hugh Grant and Chloe East were cast in lead roles.

The production was granted an interim agreement allowing filming during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Principal photography took place in Vancouver from October 3 to November 16, 2023.

Heretic is scheduled to be released in the United States on November 15, 2024.

Movie Trailer:

Movie Review:

Coming soon.

• Stumbleupon

Tags 2024 American Films Review 2024 Hollywood Movies Review 2024 Popular Horror Movies 2024 Popular Thriller Movies American Films Review American Horror Films American Horror Movies Review American Movies Review American Thriller Films American Thriller Movies Review English Films Review English Horror Films English Horror Movies Review English Movies Review English Thriller Films English Thriller Movies Review Hollywood Films Review Hollywood Horror Films Hollywood Horror Movies Review Hollywood Movies Review Hollywood Thriller Films Hollywood Thriller Movies Review Horror Movies Review Thriller Movies Review Top 10 Hollywood Movies Top 10 Horror Movies Top 10 Thriller Movies

Related Articles

Visfot: 2024 Indian Hindi Crime Thriller Film Trailer, Review, Rating

8 hours ago

Devara: Part 1 – 2024 Telugu Action Thriller Film Trailer, Review, Songs

18 hours ago

Binny And Family: 2024 Hindi Family Drama Film Trailer, Review

The Union: 2024 American Spy Action Thriller Film Trailer, Review

Alien: Romulus – 2024 American Science Fiction Horror Film

IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack: 2024 Netflix Thriller Drama Series

Saripodhaa Sanivaaram: 2024 Telugu Vigilante Action Film, Trailer, Songs, Review

Saripodhaa Sanivaaram (2024), Action Drama released in Telugu language in theatre near you. Know about Film …

• Cast & crew

From the reunited director, writer, and stars of Forrest Gump (1994), Here is an original film about multiple families and a special place they inhabit. The story travels through generations... Read all From the reunited director, writer, and stars of Forrest Gump (1994), Here is an original film about multiple families and a special place they inhabit. The story travels through generations, capturing the human experience in its purest form. From the reunited director, writer, and stars of Forrest Gump (1994), Here is an original film about multiple families and a special place they inhabit. The story travels through generations, capturing the human experience in its purest form.

• Robert Zemeckis
• Richard McGuire
• Kelly Reilly
• Robin Wright

Top cast 44

• William Franklin

• Stella Beekman

• Elizabeth (12-15 years)

• Helen Harris

• Earl Higgins

• Businessman

• Elizabeth Franklin

• Little Boy in Dress

• Elizabeth Young 19-49yrs

• Elizabeth (5-8 years)

• Indigenous Man
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

More like this

Did you know

• Trivia Based on the book "Here" by Richard McGuire.

[from trailer]

Richard : You know, if you like, you could spend the rest of the night here.

Margaret : I could spend the rest of my life here.

• When was Here released? Powered by Alexa
• Who provides the music for the trailer?
• November 1, 2024 (United States)
• United States
• London, England, UK (location)
• ImageMovers
• See more company credits at IMDbPro

Technical specs

• Runtime 1 hour 44 minutes

Related news

Contribute to this page.

• See more gaps
• Learn more about contributing

More to explore

Recently viewed.

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Shopping
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Election results
• Google trends
• AP & Elections
• U.S. Open Tennis
• Paralympic Games
• College football
• Auto Racing
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

This fall, Hollywood tries to balance box office with the ballot box

This combination of photos shows promotional art from upcoming films, top row from left, “Megalopolis” (Lionsgate), “We Live in Time” (A24), “Piece By Piece” (Focus Features), “The Killer’s Game” (Lionsgate), “Joker: Folie à Deux” (Warner Bros.) , and “The Wild Robot” (Universal), second row from left, “The Front Room” (A24), “Venom: The Last Dance” (Sony), “A Different Man” (A24), “Red One” (Amazon), “Flight Risk” (Lionsgate), and “White Bird” (Lionsgate), bottom row from left, “Kraken The Hunter” (Sony), “Saturday Night” (Sony), “Gladiator 2" (Paramount), “Mufasa: The Lion King” (Disney), “Speak No Evil” (Universal), and “Wicked” (Universal). (AP Photo)

This image released by Paramount Pictures shows Paul Mescal in a scene from “Gladiator II.” (Aidan Monaghan/Paramount Pictures via AP)

This image released by Walt Disney Animation Studios shows a scene from “Moana 2,” expected in theaters November 2024. (Walt Disney Animation Studios via AP)

This image released by Universal Pictures shows Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba in the film “Wicked.” (Universal Pictures via AP)

This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Joaquin Phoenix, left, and Lady Gaga in a scene from “Joker: Folie à Deux.” (Niko Tavernise/Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)

This image released by Lionsgate shows Adam Driver, left, and Nathalie Emmanuel in a scene from “Megalopolis.” (Lionsgate via AP)

This image released by Apple TV+ shows Brad Pitt, left, and George Clooney in a scene from “Wolfs.” (Scott Garfield/Apple TV+ via AP)

This image released by Universal Pictures shows director Jon M. Chu, center, on the set of “Wicked.” (Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures via AP)

This image released by Paramount Pictures shows director Ridley Scott, center, Paul Mescal on the set of “Gladiator II.” (Aidan Monaghan/Paramount Pictures via AP)

This image released by Lionsgate shows writer/director Francis Ford Coppola, left, and actor Adam Driver on the set of “Megalopolis.” (Phil Caruso/Lionsgate via AP)

This image released by Focus Features shows lego characters Pharrell Williams, left, and Gwen Stefani in a scene from “Piece By Piece.” (Focus Features via AP)

This image released by Focus Features shows a scene from “Piece By Piece.” (Focus Features via AP)

This image released by A24 shows Renate Reinsve, left, and Adam Pearson in a scene from “A Different Man.” (Matt Infante/A24 via AP)

This image released by Briarcliff Entertainment shows Maria Bakalova, left, and Sebastian Stan in a scene from the film “The Apprentice.” (Pief Weyman/Briarcliff Entertainment via AP)

This image released by Disney shows characters Mufasa, voiced by Aaron Pierre, center, and Rafiki, voiced by Kagiso Lediga, right, in a scene from “Mufasa: The Lion King.” (Disney via AP)

This cover image released by Lionsgate shows Dave Bautista in a scene from “The Killer’s Game.” (Lionsgate via AP)

This image released by A24 shows Andrew Burnap, from left, Brandy Norwood, and Kathryn Hunter in a scene from “The Front Room.” (A24 via AP)

This image released by Apple TV+ shows Saoirse Ronan, left, and Elliott Heffernan in a scene from “Blitz.” (Apple TV+ via AP)

This image released by A24 shows Andrew Burnap, left, and Brandy Norwood in a scene from “The Front Room.” (A24 via AP)

This cover image released by Lionsgate shows Dave Bautista, left, and Sofia Boutella in a scene from “The Killer’s Game.” (Lionsgate via AP)

This image released by Amazon Prime shows Dwayne Johnson, left, and Chris Evans in a scene from “Red One.” (Amazon Prime via AP)

This image released by Amazon shows Maisy Stella, left, and Aubrey Plaza in a scene from “My Old Ass.” (Amazon via AP)

This image released by A24 shows a scene from “Heretic.” (A24 via AP)

This image released by Focus Features shows Sergio Castellitto as Cardinal Tedesco, center, in a scene from “Conclave.” (Focus Features via AP)

This image released by Focus Features shows Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Lawrence in a scene from “Conclave.” (Focus Features via AP)

This image released by Searchlight Pictures shows Kieran Culkin, left, and Jesse Eisenberg in a scene from “A Real Pain.” (Searchlight Pictures via AP)

This image released by Universal Pictures shows Ariana Granda as Glinda in the film “Wicked.” (Universal Pictures via AP)

This image released by Universal Pictures shows Roz, voiced by Lupita N’yongo, left, and Brightbill, voiced by Kit Connor, in a scene from DreamWorks Animation’s “Wild Robot.” (DreamWorks Animation/Universal Pictures via AP)

This image released by Universal Pictures shows James McEvoy in a scene from “Speak No Evil.” (Universal Pictures via AP)

This image released by Sony Pictures Entertainment shows Tom Hanks, left, and Robin Wright in a scene from “Here.” (Sony Pictures via AP)

This image released by Lionsgate shows Michelle Dockery, left, and Mark Wahlberg in a scene from “Flight Risk.” (Lionsgate via AP)

This image released by Neon shows Mikey Madison in a scene from “Anora.” (Neon via AP)

This image released by Sony Pictures shows, from left, Kim Matula, as Jane Curtain, Emily Fairn, as Laraine Newman, Gabriel LaBelle, as Lorne Michaels, Rachel Sennott, as Rosie Shuster, and Matt Wood, as John Belushi. (Hopper Stone/Sony Pictures Entertainment via AP)

This image released by A24 shows Andrew Garfield, left, and Florence Pugh in a scene from “We Live In Time.” (A24 via AP)

This image released by A24 shows Florence Pugh, left, and Andrew Garfield in a scene from “We Live In Time.” (A24 via AP)

This image released by Lionsgate shows Ariella Glaser in a scene from “White Bird.” (Larry Horricks/Lionsgate via AP)

This image released by Lionsgate shows Orlando Schwerdt, left, and Ariella Glaser in a scene from “White Bird.” (Larry Horricks/Lionsgate via AP)

This image released by Netflix shows Natasha Lyonne, from left, Elizabeth Olsen, and Carrie Coon in a scene from “His Three Daughters.” (Netflix via AP)

This image released by A24 shows Adam Pearson in a scene from “A Different Man.” (Matt Infante/A24 via AP)

This image released by Netflix shows Harper Steele, right, and Will Ferrell in a scene from “Will & Harper.” (Netflix via AP)

• Copy Link copied

NEW YORK (AP) — Three weeks after the U.S. presidential election in November, Ridley Scott will present his latest big-screen opus. “Gladiator II” returns the prodigious filmmaker to ancient Rome for a story about a power, the survival of Rome and the fate of democracy.

“Hopefully,” Scott says, “it will be a good omen.”

This fall, Hollywood will be trying — with everything from swaggering historical epics like “Gladiator II” to the high-seas adventure of “Moana 2” — to capture the nation’s attention at a time when much of it will be directed at the polls.

Already, Hollywood has played a co-starring role in the election . The Democratic Convention in August was packed with stars like Oprah Winfrey . Republican vice-presidential candidate, JD Vance , was first introduced to many by the 2020 big-screen adaptation of his “Hillbilly Elegy.” And it was George Clooney, who this month stars in the Apple Studios film “Wolfs” alongside Brad Pitt, who was one of the most prominent voices to urge President Joe Biden to step down from the race.

Hollywood, famously progressive, has always had to strike a balance between the liberal leanings of the majority of its creatives with the big-tent demands of pop culture. In recent years, that’s grown increasingly tricky.

At the same time, the movie industry, after several years hobbled by pandemic and strikes, is striving to recapture its all-audiences populism — and all the billions that can come with it. Disney chief Robert A. Iger last year signaled the need “to entertain first,” adding “it’s not about messages.”

This past summer, Disney led Hollywood out of a box-office slump with a pair of billion-earners in “Inside Out 2” and “Deadpool vs. Wolverine.” Ticket sales for the summer rose to $3.7 billion, according to Comscore — less than the traditional $4 billion benchmark but significantly better than initially feared after a painfully slow start.

One of the fall’s likeliest candidates to continue the trend is “Moana 2.” Dwayne Johnson, who returns as the voice of Maui, earlier this year said he wouldn’t endorse a candidate in the election out of concern for the division it would cause.

Like many of the films opening this fall, “Moana 2” (opening Nov. 27), as a story about a strong female protagonist and a celebration of Pacific Islander culture, could resonate very differently, depending on the outcome of the election.

“Moana 2" (Walt Disney Animation Studios via AP)

“If it resonates for people in a different way, I can’t control that,” says Dana Ledoux Miller, who directed “Moana 2” with David Derrick Jr. and Jason Hand. “I’m so excited about what this story is and what it means to be a person in a community who wants something more for the world they live in and for the future. We’ll see what happens, but the movie is what it is.”

Movies this year have largely only approached political themes from a distance. “Civil War,” by Alex Garland, imagined the U.S. in all-out warfare. “War Game,” directed by Tony Gerber and Jesse Moss, gathered real political figures for an insurrection simulation.

But “The Apprentice ” will offer the movie version of an October surprise. The film, the release of which was announced just last week , stars Sebastian Stan as a young Donald Trump under the tutelage of Roy Cohn (Jeremy Strong). The Trump campaign has called it “election interference by Hollywood elites.” Its director, Ali Abbasi, argues filmmakers have a responsibility to face current politics head-on.

“I’ve been hearing a lot: Let’s make a movie about the Second World War or the Civil War — just go back in time,” says Abbasi. “They say a Civil War movie is a good metaphor for the way our society is now. I’m like: Our society is extremely exciting, complex, complicated, has huge problems and opportunities. Why not address them? We have a (expletive) responsibility.”

As usual this fall, studios will trot out a new wave of awards contenders. Unlike last year, when Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” came into the season the clear favorite, no such frontrunner has yet emerged. At the Venice, Telluride, Toronto and New York film festivals, notable premieres include Todd Phillips’ anticipated sequel “Joker: Folie à Deux,” Edward Berger’s “Conclave,” Marielle Heller’s “Nightbitch,” Malcolm Washington’s “The Piano Lesson,” Steve McQueen’s “Blitz” and LaMell Ross’s “Nickel Boys.”

Standouts from earlier festivals will also mix in, like Sean Baker’s Palme d’Or-winning “Anora” and Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Pérez.” But, at least for now, the Oscar race appears wide open.

“Emilia Pérez,” about a Mexican drug lord who transitions into a woman, is just one of the many musicals landing in theaters. Some studios have recently run from the label of “musical”; last December’s “Wonka” wasn’t advertised as such. But this fall, no matter what’s happening on the news, it won’t be hard to find song and dance on the big screen.

That includes “Joker: Folie à Deux,” “Moana 2” and the two-part adaptation of the Broadway show “Wicked!” — not to mention biopics on Robbie Williams (“Better Man”) and Bob Dylan (“A Complete Unknown,” with Timothée Chalamet).

“Wicked” director Jon M. Chu and producer Marc Platt were confident enough in their film, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, that they opted to split it into two. (Part two will release in November 2025.) “Wicked,” opening Nov. 22, will open against “Gladiator II” in the fall’s most “Barbeheimer” -like weekend matchup.

“I love at this time, at this moment, we can root for all movies, all the time,” says Chu. “It’s getting to tell people: Come to the movies. Everyone come.”

Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba in the film “Wicked.” (Universal Pictures via AP)

In “Wicked,” which imagines the story behind the opposing witches of “The Wizard of Oz,” Platt sees a story with plenty of relevance to the current political climate.

“It’s a significant election for both of us,” says Platt. “But our story aspires to be about the distance people travel to connect with each other, about seeing the other as not the other, about living in a world where sometimes the truth is not real.”

Some films are taking some novel approaches to storytelling. Morgan Neville’s “Piece by Piece” tells Pharrell Williams’ story with Lego bricks. Robert Zemeckis’ “Here,” starring Tom Hanks, has the appearance of a film shot in one take. In “Better Man,” Williams is portrayed by computer-generated monkey.

Adam Driver and Nathalie Emmanuel in a scene from “Megalopolis.” (Lionsgate via AP)

In festival screenings of Francis Ford Coppola’s “Megalopolis,” midway through the movie a man has walked on stage and addressed a question to the screen. Coppola, who financed the film himself, spent years steadily building “Megalopolis,” a future-set epic about a visionary (Adam Driver). In cynical times, it’s brashly optimistic, even utopian.

“You never turn on CNN or open the newspaper to: ‘Human Being Is an Unbelievable Genius.’ But it’s true. How can you deny it?” Coppola said after the film’s premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. “Think of what we can do. A hundred years ago they said man will never fly. Now we’re zooming around. So I ask myself: Why is it that no one dare say how great we are? There’s no problem that we’re facing that we’re not ingenious enough to solve.”

While Coppola was making his conception of a modern-day Roman epic, Scott was a making the genuine article. During the making of “Gladiator II,” Scott — a self-professed news junkie — continually felt that his film was far from ancient history. Russia’s war in Ukraine unspooled during the film’s making, the director noted.

“You are living during what I call democracy against tyrants, tyranny,” says Scott. “We’re looking in this film as about tyrannical leadership against people who try to rectify that. When is history not about that?”

• Pop Culture
• In Theaters
• Blu-Ray Discs
• instagram [#167] Created with Sketch.

Follow the JOBLO MOVIE NETWORK

Follow us on youtube.

Follow ARROW IN THE HEAD

Follow aith on youtube.

Home » Movie News » TIFF 2024: 10 Of The Movies We’re Most Excited To See!

TIFF 2024: 10 Of The Movies We’re Most Excited To See!

TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) kicks off on Thursday, and once again JoBlo will be there. Here are the 10 movies we’re most excited to see!

Labor Day weekend has come and gone, and that can only mean one thing – it’s TIFF time, baby! Once again, I’ll be attending the Toronto International Film Festival on behalf of JoBlo.com. I’m looking forward to getting an early look at some of the prestigious awards fare we’ll all be hearing plenty about in the coming months. Crazy enough, this will be my sixteenth year in a row covering the festival!  

Here’s what I’m most excited to check out at this year’s edition:

Edward Berger’s All Quiet on the Western Front was one of the biggest surprises of the 2022 edition of TIFF, as that new adaptation of the classic novel/ film proved to be one of the most dazzling war films in recent memory. It put Berger on the map in a big way, with him tipped as potentially taking the reins of the James Bond franchise once a new 007 is cast. He’s back at TIFF this year with a buzzy adaptation of the Robert Harris novel Conclave , which follows the intrigue behind a papal election and is said to feature one of star Ralph Fiennes’s best performances ever as a Cardinal questioning his faith. His lapsing Catholicism aside, he might be the most qualified candidate for pope because, unlike many of the other Cardinals (which include sterling cast members like John Lithgow and Stanley Tucci), he doesn’t crave power. Apparently, this has a knockout twist ending that I hope isn’t spoiled for me before I finally see the movie.

Better Man:

Robbie Williams isn’t as big of a deal in North America as he is in Europe, but trust me when I say that in the UK, he’s a major icon who’s had more than his share of challenges, which should make for an intriguing biopic. However, I’ll admit that the main reason I want to see this is that director Michael Gracey ( The Greatest Showman ) opted to have Williams be portrayed by a CG chimpanzee, which, apparently, is a dead ringer for Caesar in the Planet of the Apes movies. Yes, you read that right – the movie stars a CGI chimpanzee. But, let’s be honest, you want to see it now, don’t you?

The Brutalist: 

The breathless reviews out of Venice are calling Brady Corbett’s The Brutalist a masterpiece and a sure-fire Oscar contender for whoever picks it up. The film stars Adrien Brody as a Hungarian architect navigating his life and career in post-WWII America. The entire film was shot in 70mm VistaVision and is being presented at the festival on celluloid. It even gets an intermission, as it runs well over three hours. Brody and costar Guy Pearce are said to deliver Oscar-calibre performances. 

The Life of Chuck:

Mike Flanagan takes a break from limited series for a new movie (his first since Doctor Sleep ), which – natch – is another Stephen King adaptation, this time of his novella of the same name. It stars Tom Hiddleston in the title role alongside Mark Hamil, Chiwetel Ejiofor, David Dastmalchian, Kate Siegel, Karen Gillan and more.

This true crime tale from Justin Kurzel ( Assassin’s Creed ) stars Jude Law as an FBI agent in the 1980s trying to shut down a Neo-nazi cell run by a racist demagogue played by Nicholas Hoult. This is based on the real-life slaying of liberal Jewish radio host Alan Berg, who’s played in the film by Marc Maron, which also inspired the Tom Berenger/ Debra Winger film, Betrayed back in 1988. 

Hugh Grant dips his toe into the horror genre for this buzzy A24 release . In it, two Church of Latter-Day Saints missionaries ( Yellowjackets’ s Sophie Thatcher and Fabelmans star Chloe East) knock on the wrong door and are invited in for a chat about theology that goes…awry. This one is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, the writers of A Quiet Place . 

Saturday Night: 

Jason Reitman’s chronicle of the hours leading up to the premiere of Saturday Night Live drew raves out of its Telluride Film Festival premiere, with many calling it his best movie since Up in the Air . Apparently, the casting is spot on (which includes Succession star Nicholas Braun in dual roles – Jim Henson and Andy Kauffman), and the pace is propulsive, leading to some truly breathless early reviews. As a lifelong SNL fan, I’m excited to hear that someone has finally done the crazy story behind the making of the show justice.

Megalopolis:

So, this one comes with a big caveat. While I’m excited to see Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis ( reviews be dammed ), I’m turned off by the fact that (so far) no press screenings have been scheduled for the film at the festival (unheard of), while press tickets to the two showings have been scant. I will do my best to get in, but I think it’s highly questionable that (again – so far) the press is seemingly being kept from seeing the movie.

Luca Guadagnino is one of my favourite current directors. I’m keen to see his long-awaited William S. Burroughs adaptation, which stars Daniel Craig and features a deliberately anachronistic score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. Apparently, Guadagnino’s been tinkering with this movie so much that he cut close to an hour out of it just before its Venice Film Festival premiere, but whatever the case, A24 picked it up and is planning an award-season run for it.

Joseph Kahn is one of those directors who never gets enough credit. His movie, Torque , is a kind of hilarious spoof of mid-2000 era action movies (particularly The Fast and the Furious ) but critics seemingly didn’t get the joke. His follow-up, Detention , was a genre-bending blast, while his rap battle movie, Bodied , absolutely killed at TIFF’s Midnight Madness a few years ago, only to sink into obscurity due to the fact that the short-lived YouTube Red bought it and gave it a streaming release a lot of folks missed. Now he’s back with Ick , another genre mash-up which stars one-time Superman Brandon Routh in a potential comeback role as a high school science teacher helping his students fight an alien grown which sounds an awful lot like The Blob . I love movies like this, and Kahn’s movies are nothing if not entertaining. 

Which TIFF movie are you most hyped-for? Let us know in the comments! 

About the Author

Chris Bumbray began his career with JoBlo as the resident film critic (and James Bond expert) way back in 2007, and he has stuck around ever since, being named editor-in-chief in 2021. A voting member of the CCA and a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic, you can also catch Chris discussing pop culture regularly on CTV News Channel.

Latest TIFF News

TIFF 2024 announces Midnight Madness lineup

Heretic and The Order are among the titles making their premieres at the Toronto International Film Festival

Hit Man Review

The Dead Don’t Hurt Review

Latest movie news.

The Batman Part II: Matt Reeves teases plot details, says DC is “super excited”

Matt Reeves teases a few plot details for The Batman Part II, adding that DC has seen the script and is “super excited.”

Alison Brie to play Evil-Lyn in live-action Masters of the Universe movie

Alison Brie is set to play Evil-Lyn in the upcoming live-action Masters of the Universe movie directed by Travis Knight.

Will Smith exits his role for the action flick Sugar Bandits

Whispers around the Hollywood water cooler say Will Smith (Bad Boys, I Am Legend, Men in Black) is exiting his…

Joker: Folie à Deux reactions paint the musically-charged sequel as a divisive dive into the mad minds of Gotham’s criminal love birds

The first reactions to the anticipated sequel Joker: Folie à Deux paint the film as a mixed bag of familiar tricks and refreshing genuis.

Malignant star Annabelle Wallis to co-lead the action thriller Mutiny alongside Jason Statham

Annabelle franchise star Annabelle Wallis joins action superstar Jason Statham for the upcoming on-the-run action film Mutiny.

Rebel Ridge Review

Jeremy Saulnier’s Rebel Ridge is the director’s most accessible, action-driven movie to date, featuring a star-making performance by Aaron Pierre.

Tom Hardy and Aaron Taylor-Johnson team up with Cary Fukunaga for an adaptation of Jo Nesbø’s Blood on Snow

Both Sony Spider-verse villains will team up with the No Time to Die director for the crime thriller adaptation that will be written by the novelist.

Joaquin Phoenix says losing weight for Joker: Folie à Deux was more difficult with the dancing aspect and talks briefly about leaving the Todd Haynes movie

Audiences saw the jarring physical presence of Joaquin Phoenix in the first Joker film and the actor says it was more difficult this time around.

The Thicket Review

We review Elliott Lester’s crime drama The Thicket, starring Peter Dinklage, Juliette Lewis, and Levon Hawke.

Ryan Murphy’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story trailer takes you into the minds of killers convinced they’re in the right

Netflix has unveiled a teaser trailer, a first look image, and poster art for Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story

It's quick and easy to login and vote!

Advertisement

Supported by

Five Science Fiction Movies to Stream Now

Among this month’s picks, there’s a blend of sci-fi and Hindu mythology, plus Nicolas Cage in postapocalyptic times.

• Share full article

By Elisabeth Vincentelli

‘Kalki 2898 AD’

Stream it on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video .

Like the historical drama “RRR,” Nag Ashwin’s blend of science fiction and Hindu mythology is a product of the Southern Indian film industry. Whether the new movie will be a crossover hit like its Academy Award-nominated predecessor remains to be seen, but odds are in its favor. American viewers might not be familiar with some of the sources of inspiration, like the ancient epic “The Mahabharata.” But others will ping instantly: the rogue bounty hunter Bhairava (Prabhas) has more than a touch of Han Solo; the future’s dusty dystopia is very “Mad Max”-esque; the evil overlord Supreme Yaskin (Kamal Haasan) floats like Baron Harkonnen.

With rebels hiding in a secret city that stands in stark contrast to the baddies’ high-tech quarters, the general plot combines Yaskin capturing women for nefarious ends and the possibility that one of them (played by Deepika Padukone) could be pregnant with the prophesied savior of humanity. Because the M.O. here is maximalism, the Indian cinema star Amitabh Bachchan fittingly appears as a gigantic immortal being, while the art direction and action scenes are eye-popping throughout. And because more is more, the movie ends with the promise that the “Kalki cinematic universe continues …”

Stream it on Shudder .

Nicolas Cage is touted as the star, but this creature feature actually centers on his character’s teenage sons, Thomas (Maxwell Jenkins) and Joseph (Jaeden Martell). All three have somehow managed to survive in a postapocalyptic world in which monsters come out and attack at night. When the sun sets, the family barricades themselves in their house. During the day, Thomas often spends time at a neighboring farm, where he has gotten close to a girl named Charlotte (Sadie Soverall). In the meantime, the bookish, methodical Joseph has a longer view of survival; he even manages to capture one of the (excellently designed) critters so he can study it. Of course, the arrangement is fragile in such a hostile environment, especially when it becomes clear that the nocturnal attackers are smart enough to develop plans.

The director Benjamin Brewer does not reinvent the wheel, but he knows when to linger (on the affectionate relationship between the boys and their dad, on quotidian tasks) and when not to (there is no back story or explanation as to how the world went to pot). This is a lean, effective story of survival and sacrifice — and Cage, if you must know, is wonderfully restrained.

We are having trouble retrieving the article content.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and  log into  your Times account, or  subscribe  for all of The Times.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber?  Log in .

Want all of The Times?  Subscribe .