January 2025 Movie Reviews: Juror #2, Heretic, The Order

As we welcome a new year of movies and television, let’s take a look back at three films that came out towards the latter part of 2024 and discuss if any of them are worth watching this January.

Juror #2 (2024)

Warner Bros. Pictures, 114 minutes

Say what you will about Clint Eastwood, the man might be 150 years old and have fathered a bajillion children, but he still knows how to direct a pretty good movie. (I jest. Eastwood actually directed Juror #2 when he was a spry 93 years old and, according to the internet, he’s only had “at least eight” children.) Juror #2 probably isn’t one of the better films that Eastwood’s directed, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a solid movie overall.

I’d describe Juror #2, unlike other Eastwood projects, as more of a B-tier movie. That’s because the story just is not believable in the slightest. As one would assume, we’re focused on the titular Juror #2, an expecting father played by Nicholas Hoult. Said character finds himself on the jury for a murder trial. There’s a twist to the story that I won’t spoil here, but, putting it lightly, our protagonist does not find himself in a realistic situation.

Despite this, Juror #2 is a well-made and well-acted movie. In lesser hands than Eastwood’s, and with a less talented cast, this movie could have been really not good. As we’re presented with it, Juror #2 might be a bit ridiculous at times, but it’s never boring or not entertaining. This isn’t a great movie by any stretch of the imagination, and it’s probably not as memorable or profound of one as Eastwood thinks it is. That said, Juror #2 is still a totally fine watch for those in the mood for a legal, courtroom thriller.

Grade: 7/10

Heretic (2024)

A24, 111 minutes

Heretic is an above average horror movie that centers on two Mormon missionaries who go to the home of a man in an attempt to convert him to their religion. Once there, they quickly realize that things are not as they seem, and that their seemingly mild-mannered host is more dangerous than they could’ve ever suspected. The movie relies more on psychological horror as opposed to brutal violence or leaning heavy use of jump-scares. Overall, it does a pretty good job.

I attribute much of Heretic’s success to Hugh Grant’s portrayal of the film’s antagonist. Widely known for his roles as a leading man in romantic comedies, I hadn’t seen Grant in a part such as this one before. I really liked his performance, which he dials back at times, or takes to the next level depending on what’s called for.

The two women in the film also give believable performances opposite Grant. Heretic really excels at creating a looming feeling of dread for viewers. I also appreciated that the missionaries in the movie didn’t act foolish in the manner many horror movie characters do. Heretic isn’t fantastic or anything, but it’s a worthwhile watch that’s creepy in the uncomfortable (but not truly terrifying) sort of way.

Grade: 7/10

The Order (2024)

Vertical, 116 minutes

The Order is a generically titled, pretty decent crime drama. The film tells the true story of an investigation into a series of robberies committed by a new white supremacist group, known as The Order (since apparently all of the cool/creative names were taken).

The movie is entertaining enough. In the way that many true crime films are, the story jumps around showing noteworthy events that actually happened. The result is a movie that never feels boring, but that also doesn’t really flow so nicely.

While The Order has a couple of quality actors in lead roles, Jude Law and Nicholas Hoult, neither is given much to work with – we see bits of certain characters that seems potentially interesting, but none of the characters are explored in-depth. A more character-focused film looking at Bob Matthews, the leader of The Order played by Hoult, might’ve resulted in a better film.  

As it is, The Order is still totally fine. This isn’t a bad movie, but it also doesn’t really do much to set itself apart or really be memorable. It’s the type of movie that’s fine to watch when there’s nothing else on, but that you’ll forget about shortly after you’ve finished watching it.

Grade: 6.5/10