When it comes to religious horror, you usually know what to expect: demon possession, creepy antichrist babies, or the devil pulling the strings. But how often do these movies dig into the fear of faith itself? The doubt, the uncertainty of believing in something that might not even be real, or the inner struggle of questioning it all? That’s where Heretic comes in. Scott Beck and Bryan Woods (A Quiet Place, Boogeyman, 65, Haunt) take a fresh approach by focusing more on the religious side than just the scares, making this A24 film truly stand out.
Discover the in-depth Heretic movie review with this guide, offering a comprehensive analysis of its plot, themes, performances, and unique take on the religious horror genre. Explore how Heretic stands out from traditional horror films by focusing on faith, belief, and the internal struggles that arise when questioning one’s religion.
What Does Heretic Focus On?
Heretic follows two missionaries, Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East), from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They’ve struggled to get anyone interested in their message, but when they hear from a man named Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant), who wants to learn about their faith, they visit his home with hope.
Advertisement Once there, Mr. Reed seems welcoming and even introduces them to his wife, who’s baking a blueberry pie. However, things soon take a strange turn. The sisters begin to notice that something is wrong. There’s no sign of Mrs. Reed, and they’re locked inside the house. Mr. Reed appears to know more about their religion than they do, raising doubts. As the sisters explore the house to find a way out, they are forced to confront their own beliefs and decide if they’ll leave with the same faith they had when they arrived.
The Setting of Heretic Plays a Key Role in the Story
As per the Heretic movie review from Collider, Heretic does an amazing job using the small, creepy space of Mr. Reed’s house. The camera angles play with our perception, making the home feel both small and huge at the same time. We see every detail of the packed rooms and the mysterious doors in the background, adding to the unsettling atmosphere. The dim lighting keeps us on edge, making us feel like something awful is about to happen. The house itself feels like a confusing maze full of secrets.
The tight space lets the actors use their body language and facial expressions to create tension. Close-ups of their faces add to the suspense, and the way they move around each other makes every decision feel important. Sometimes, we can predict what they’ll do next, but other times, we’re caught off guard. Hugh Grant is fantastic in this role, playing Mr. Reed as both calm and disturbingly unstable. When he smiles slowly, it’s enough to send chills down your spine. As a villain, he’s the perfect mix of threatening, sharp, and unsettling.
How Heretic Shifts the Focus from Horror to Faith
According to the Heretic movie review from The Guardian, Instead of focusing on traditional horror, Beck and Woods center Heretic around religious questions. At times, it feels like a basic introduction to religion, but the film takes aim at the hypocrisies of strict beliefs that some may not notice. It’s less about jump scares and more about challenging those with a narrow view of “one true religion.” The filmmakers criticize organized religion and those who think they possess the only truth. Mr. Reed talks about faith from a place of power, but his own beliefs are full of contradictions.
Hugh Grant plays Mr. Reed with great energy, adding a unique twist to the role. He’s been excelling in villain roles lately, and Heretic is no exception. Like in Paddington 2 and Dungeons & Dragons, Grant shines when the camera focuses on him, letting him passionately challenge the two women’s faith. The film is at its best when he’s delivering long monologues, comparing religion to Monopoly, singing Radiohead, and even doing a Jar Jar Binks impression. It’s the perfect villainous performance.
Thatcher and East do a great job balancing out Grant’s character, defending their faith despite the strange situation. Beck and Woods’ script sets up certain expectations for them, only to surprise us as the story unfolds. Thatcher’s Sister Barnes joined the church later, while East’s Sister Paxton seems more blindly devoted. Thatcher holds her own against Grant’s criticisms, but it’s East who has the most interesting change. At first, we focus on Sister Barnes’ backstory, but as the film goes on, Paxton’s character surprises us with how she maintains her belief.
What Critics Are Saying About Heretic Movie on Rotten Tomatoes
According to the detailed review from Rotten Tomatoes:
This movie makes viewers question their religious beliefs, which results in a disturbingly thought-provoking experience. Hugh Grant and the young actors did a great job in their roles, bringing depth to the film. However, the movie also left me feeling frustrated. It seems to present a choice: either you accept that religion is made up of unproven stories, or you choose to blindly believe what you’re told as “gospel.” This tension between doubt and faith is what makes the film so unsettling, but also incredibly impactful.
Twitter Reactions to Heretic Movie
FAQs
It’s just undeniably creepy and unsettling.
Heretic is a 2024 American psychological horror film written and directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods.
This is NOT a true story or, in any way, based on a true story. This is an entirely fictional creation of the writers’ imaginations.
Yes, Heretic explores themes of faith, belief, and the questioning of religion.
It is Rated R (for some bloody violence.)
Without giving spoilers, the ending suggests the main message is, “Religion is probably not true, but it is still a beautiful thing humans practice.
Barnes (who was apparently still alive but in critical condition) springs up and kills Reed with a plank of wood before finally dying herself.
Wrap Up!
From the above Heretic movie review, we got to know that Heretic stands out by focusing on faith instead of just trying to scare viewers. The strong performances, especially from Hugh Grant, and the film’s deep look at religion make us question what we believe. With a great script from Beck and Woods, Heretic creates a tense atmosphere and offers a fresh take on religious horror, leaving you thinking even after it ends.