Hugh Grant recently revealed that despite giving an impression of Jar Jar Binks in the newly released horror-thriller filmHeretic, he has never actually watched anyStar Warsfilms. Grant steps into darker territory with A24’sHeretic, where he plays an eccentric yet sinister man named Mr. Reed, who has a penchant for unsettling humor. The film, written and directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, follows a pair of Mormon missionaries, played by Sophia Thatcher and Chloe East, who find themselves at themercy of Mr. Reed’s increasingly terrifying mind games.
In an interview withEntertainment Weekly,Grant admitted that he had never seen anyStar Warsmovie, let alone the franchise’s first prequel,The Phantom Menace, where Jar Jar Binks made his controversial debut in 1999. Here’s what he had to say:
One of my guiltiest secrets is that I’ve still never seen aStar Warsmovie. In my infinite thoroughness, I researched it and I did watch a bit of it. I think I YouTubed it.
Co-writer and director Scott Beck added that Grant’s Jar Jar impression was an example of his improvisational acting approach:
That was an example of something Hugh would want to purposefully withhold until the camera is rolling so as not to give it away. And there’s so many moments in the movie where we’d start take one, and he would just go by the script and then add one little word or punctuation. It was that moment of just being real and authentic and yet hilarious. Even though it lives in a darker genre, the performance feels grounded but also plays to the dark humor.
What Does Grant’s Jar Jar Impression Mean
The Actor’s Quirks Bring a Comically Dark Twist
Mr. Reed’s monologue about the terror of organized religion used several pop culture references when debatingthe twoHereticcharacterson their beliefs, including the board game Monopoly. At one point, when addressing the irrationality of messianic figures, he asks the Sisters, “Can you imagine thousands of years from now people accepting Jar Jar as a significant religious figure?“And finally delivers his impression with, “Exsqueeze me!”
Though Mr. Reed is a figure who initially appears harmless but is an ominous captor,Grant synthesizes his comedic instincts with a foreboding intensity, lending an interesting edge to the character.
Grant’s Jar Jar Binks impression is a surprising addition toHeretic, a film that’s seeped with claustrophobic shadows and existential dread. Though Mr. Reed is a figure who initially appears harmless but is an ominous captor,Grant synthesizes his comedic instincts with a foreboding intensity, lending an interesting edge to the character.
Mr. Reed’s One True Religion In Heretic Explained
2024’s Heretic follows two missionaries who become stuck inside the house of Mr. Reed, a strange and violent man with many dark theories on religion.
In yet anotherperformance as a villain for Hugh Grant, the Jar Jar impression adds an unpredictable bit,showcasingMr. Reed’s unsettling mix of eccentricity and malice. As director Beck mentioned, the impression underscores Grant’s ability to bring unpredictable, darkly humorous moments to a role deeply rooted in suspense and horror.
Our Take on Grant’s Jar Jar Impression
It’s A Brilliant But Bizarre Addition
While Grant steps away from romantic comedies and into a distinctly darker genre,he still brings his trademark charm. Beck’s approach to allowing Grant to bring out such moments adds a playful touch toHeretic’s tension, creating a contrast that could set it apart from other films in the horror-thriller genre.
His impression not only enhances the eerie aesthetic but also showcases Grant’s knack for humor in an intense role, makingHeretica uniquely suspenseful yet slightly absurd experience.
Heretic
Cast
Heretic, released in 2024, follows two young missionaries who must navigate a perilous test of faith when they encounter the sinister Mr. Reed after knocking on the wrong door, leading to a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse.
