The outstanding horror film I watched in 2024 is “Heretic.” The main reason is that, although it is a horror film, its artistic framing and the softness visible in its editing are remarkable.
The second reason is the strong and nuanced performance by Hugh Grant. It goes without saying that Hugh Grant is an exceptionally skilled actor. However, his performance in “Heretic” stands out to me.
The third reason is that, while this film is classified as horror, the way it is presented and how the narrative unfolds is more artistic compared to traditional horror films.
Character Dynamics: The Power of Female Leads
There are three main characters in the film: one male character and two female characters. The audience’s engagement with the film primarily revolves around the two female characters.
Indeed, the presence of these female characters is a captivating aspect for viewers. This is largely due to the appeal of the actresses portraying these roles, especially Chloe East’s attractive appearance and charm.
The narrative, crafted by directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, revolves around the dynamic between a powerful male character and the two vulnerable young women. Throughout the film, we see their innocent and helpless demeanour as they struggle to escape from a violent criminal.
However, by the end, one of the young women somehow manages to escape from this violent criminal. She escapes due to the astute awareness developed after the two become trapped in the Reed’s home. Unfortunately, she is unable to save her friend from a fatal fate.
“Heretic” was produced with a budget of about $10 million and has grossed approximately $55 million.
From this, I understood that it is possible to create a high-quality film with a very limited budget. Additionally, “Heretic” has proven successful in generating a noteworthy return.
However, viewers expecting traditional horror film scares should not anticipate that from “Heretic.” Instead, it is a film that can be appreciated for its unique storytelling.
Plot
Two young Mormon missionaries, the assertive Sister Barnes and the shy Sister Paxton, visit the home of a reclusive middle-aged man named Mr. Reed. He welcomes them inside, claiming that his wife is baking a blueberry pie in the back of the house. As the conversation shifts to religion, Reed makes several uneasy remarks about their Mormon faith and the concept of belief. When Reed leaves the room, Barnes discovers that the smell of blueberry pie is actually coming from a candle, notices that the front door is locked, and realises they have no phone signal.
They trail Reed to his study, where he delivers a menacing talk asserting that all religions are mere variations of one another and insists he has discovered the true faith. The girls learn that the front door is secured and unable to be opened. Reed provides them with a choice between two exit doors: one for those who still hold faith in God and another for those who don’t. Barnes resists, challenging many of his assertions. They choose the “Belief” door, only to find that both doors lead to the same dark dungeon.
An old, frail woman enters, consumes a poisoned pie, and collapses. Reed declares that she is a messenger of God and that the sisters will witness her revival. An elder from the church arrives searching for the girls but departs without hearing their cries for help. Paxton observes a change in the prophet’s position.
The prophet comes back to life and recounts details about the afterlife. Barnes rejects her account, pointing out its resemblance to typical hallucinations from near-death experiences. When Barnes signals Paxton to confront Reed, he swiftly slits Barnes’ throat and asserts that she, too, will come back to life.
As Barnes loses consciousness from her wound, Reed extracts a metallic object from her arm, asserting it’s a microchip that proves Barnes isn’t real and that the world is a simulation. Paxton identifies the item as a contraceptive implant.
She realises that everything was masterminded by Reed; while they were distracted by the elder’s presence, another woman concealed the prophet’s body, took her place, and recited the afterlife narrative as directed by Reed, even adding an unscripted remark: “It’s not real.
” Reed’s murder of Barnes and his attempt to persuade Paxton about a fake reality were improvisations to compensate for the failed plan. Paxton notices an underground chute where the prophet’s body is hidden and descends, with Reed assuring her it will reveal the “one true religion.”
Paxton discovers a room filled with gaunt women locked in cages, secured with the bike lock she had used before entering Reed’s house. She realises that Reed’s conclusion—that the desire to control others is the foundation of all religions—is painfully accurate.
In a moment of desperation, Paxton stabs Reed with a letter opener, but he retaliates, wounding her as she attempts to flee. As they both bleed in the basement, Paxton prays, explaining to Reed that kindness towards others is meant to be selfless, rather than aimed at achieving tangible results.
Reed gets ready to finish her off, but Barnes, who is still alive, strikes him down with a wooden plank before succumbing herself. Paxton manages to climb out of a window, and a butterfly lands on her hand; she had previously expressed her wish to be reincarnated as a butterfly that graces the hands of her loved ones. The butterfly disappears, leaving Paxton alone in the snowy expanse.
