As a fan of Scott Beck and Bryan Woods’ A Quiet Place, I went into Heretic with high hopes of a mind-bending thriller. And I wasn’t disappointed. What I found was a deeply unsettling psychological horror that doesn’t rely on supernatural scares. Instead, it explores the terrifying reality of control, manipulation, and the dark mind of a heretic. 

There’s something quite unsettling about juxtaposing the sacred with the profane, and Heretic does this masterfully. We have seen this in many movies over the years; the innocent child turns out to be the spawn of Satan, the naive young girl is the devil’s puppet, and the nun is a demon. As if implying that when purity is corrupted, the result is almost demonic.

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The Trapdoor: Belief or Disbelief

The story begins innocently enough, with two young women, Sister Paxton (Chloe East) and Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher), sitting on a bench discussing faith. The opening lines about sex and pornography, that too being discussed by two sisters of the Church, make for a humorous take on the rigidity and conventions of the system. Their mission to spread their beliefs brings them to the home of Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant), who appears curious and open-minded about joining the Church. 

At first, the conversation is wholesome and harmless, with Mr. Reed even expressing intrigue about Mormonism. However, as the women venture deeper into his home, the atmosphere shifts drastically. The warmth of their initial interaction fades, replaced by an oppressive and claustrophobic tension as they realize they are not free to leave. The door does not open.

A Heretic’s Sick Game

As a woman, I had chills running down my spine watching the two girls realize what was coming ahead. It is almost a parallel to the scene in the movie, The Lovely Bones when Susie realises that she is trapped in George’s secret hideout. Two young women, completely at the mercy of a man who uses his intellect to trap them further in a sick game of his pleasure. 

The chilling realisation that Mr. Reed has other victims, women like them, adds a layer of dread that lingers throughout the film. Sister Paxton’s eventual understanding of Mr. Reed’s philosophy, that control is the one true ‘religion’, cements his status as a true Heretic, someone who has twisted belief apart from the normal and common beliefs.

Fans of conspiracy theories and simulation theories will be amused by Mr Reed’s theories. There are nods to so many experiments and hypotheses, like the ‘Butterfly dream’, ‘Simulation universe’, or the ‘Prayer experiment’. You will end up Googling most of these on your way back home, I assure you.

After the Amen: The Performances

As someone whose idea of winding down with her friends and cousins is a nice horror movie night, I was quite impressed with the performance and the direction. The first half of the movie is slow, only held up by the interesting conversations taking place, but as the movie goes on, the action starts building up. 

Chloe East plays Sister Paxton with a touching vulnerability, capturing her sweet, almost naive nature while Sophie Thatcher’s Sister Barnes is the perfect foil - sharp, determined, and resourceful. But there is one sister who will surprise you with her presence of mind and you won’t guess which one.

Hugh Grant delivers an unforgettable performance as Mr. Reed, blending charm and menace in equal measure. His usual feel-good movies only make his transformation all the more ‘creepy and weirdo’ (Spoiler Alert!). His analogies, such as comparing Christianity to a knockoff version of Judaism in the way Monopoly is derived from The Landlord’s Game, are both witty and sinister, showcasing his twisted intellect.

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Heretic is a great addition to the horror genre and its thrilling narrative alsong with stellar performances make it a film that will linger in your mind long after the credits roll. After you have watched the movie, ask yourself one question: which door will you take? 

It’s not just a horror movie; Heretic is a study of control, belief, and the fragility of innocence, much like the study Mr Reed is conducting in his house. If you enjoy psychological horror without the usual jumpscare, this is a film you shouldn’t miss.

Book your tickets here.