15 Seemingly Terrible Horror Castings That Totally Paid Off

For those who still associate Hugh Grant with the romantic comedy leads he nearly always played in his earlier years, it's undeniable that this would've seemed like an absolutely bats**t-crazy casting decision. The lovable, bumbling lead of movies such as Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love Actually and Notting Hill playing an evil serial killer? Surely not. 

Having said this, those who have followed Grant's career over the last few years might've still struggled to picture this, but it won't have been quite such a shock. Having grown out of those romantic comedy roles, Grant has transitioned into a character actor and the Film & TV world is richer for it. He is just getting better and better with each passing year.

Despite his likability in his earlier roles, Grant has proven himself more recently to be an absolute master when it comes to playing scumbags. Whether it was his skin-crawlingly vile turn as politician Jeremy Thorpe in A Very English Scandal or his hilarious, self-aware performance as lead villain Phoenix Buchanan in Paddington 2, he's repeatedly killed it in such parts. 

His performance as Mr Reed in Heretic played like a climax to his career transformation, as he gave a terrifyingly brilliant performance that is pretty much the best thing he's ever done. It was one of the finest lead performances of 2024 and he even got a Golden Globe nomination for it. 

Put it this way: no-one who watches Heretic will ever question Grant's acting range again.