Heretic Movie Review: Faith, Fear, and One Seriously Creepy House

Heretic Movie Review: A24's Spiritual Trap House of Horrors

You know that feeling when a movie starts with a slow, unsettling hum and before you know it, you’re spiraling into a psychological labyrinth where every door creaks with existential dread? Yeah, Heretic is exactly that. A slow-burn horror-thriller from the ever-iconic A24, this film isn’t just about jump scares—it’s about what’s lurking in the corners of belief, control, and the terrifying weight of conviction.

Plot in a Nutshell (No Spoilers—Yet)

Heretic follows Sister Paxton and Sister Barnes, two young Mormon missionaries going door-to-door with pamphlets and holy purpose. That is, until they knock on the wrong door. That door belongs to Mr. Reed, a seemingly charming, slightly offbeat man with blueberry pie-scented candles and a smile that feels like it’s covering something very dark. What follows is a tense, creeping descent into psychological horror as the girls find themselves trapped—literally and metaphorically—inside Mr. Reed’s house of philosophical horrors.

Think Misery meets Get Out with a sprinkle of Barbarian—if Barbarian wore a Sunday best and quoted theology over tea.

Cast & Characters: Small But Mighty

The cast is tight and intimate, with just four major players:

• Sophie Thatcher (Yellowjackets) as Sister Paxton
• Khloe East as Sister Barnes
• Hugh Grant as Mr. Reed (yes, really)
• Topher Grace as Elder Kennedy (blink and you’ll miss him)

And let’s be honest—Hugh Grant is the MVP here. He flips between disarming charm and deeply unsettling menace with terrifying ease. His Mr. Reed is equal parts cult leader, philosopher, and psychological sadist. It’s like watching your favorite rom-com uncle spiral into full horror mode.

The real brilliance though? The two leads aren’t horror movie clichés. They’re smart. Logical. They question things. They don’t fall into every trap (even if the house is full of them). You root for them. That makes it all the more gut-wrenching when things go south.

Themes, Symbolism & That Classic A24 Ambiguity

Heretic dives deep into belief, truth, and how we justify our actions. Mr. Reed’s long-winded but oddly compelling monologues challenge the missionaries (and the viewer) to think about the nature of faith, lies, and control.

There’s a standout scene where he compares religion, board games, and pop music as variations on the same core idea—control masked as comfort. Is it pretentious? Maybe a little. But it’s also one of the most quietly chilling moments in the film.

There’s also that clever “belief/disbelief” door choice, which becomes a central metaphor for the movie. You’ll be thinking about that final scene (hello, butterfly) long after the credits roll.

The House Itself: The Real Monster

Most of the film is set inside Mr. Reed’s home. And hoo boy, this place is designed for dread. Creaky floorboards, trap doors, winding staircases, and a layout so confusing it might as well be a spiritual escape room. There’s even a mini model of the house that makes the whole setup feel like a twisted game board.

This claustrophobic setting works in the film’s favor—amplifying the psychological tension and making every creak, doorbell, and flickering light feel ominous. The closer the girls get to escaping, the deeper they seem to fall into the house’s labyrinth of fear.

The Weak Links (Because No Movie Is Perfect)

As sharp as the setup is, Heretic stumbles a bit in its final act. Once Topher Grace re-enters the story and we shift from psychological dread to something more tangible, the tension doesn’t escalate—it plateaus. The twist—if you can call it that—feels more like an unsettling shrug than a gut punch.

There are also a few too-convenient moments, like perfectly timed distractions and how certain characters didn’t hear others being thrown into a pit two feet away. We’re all for suspension of disbelief, but even the film’s own logic gets a little fuzzy in the home stretch.

Final Verdict: 7/10

Heretic is smart, chilling, and filled with A24’s signature brand of stylish existential horror. It’s not a crowd-pleasing screamfest, but it is a thought-provoking ride that asks you to question what you believe—and why. The first two acts are masterclass horror-thriller material. The final act... not so much. But even with its stumbles, Heretic is worth watching for Hugh Grant’s performance alone and the uncomfortable questions it leaves behind.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆☆ (7/10)

Pros:

• Hugh Grant is terrifyingly fantastic
• Creepy, philosophical dialogue that lingers
• Logical character decisions (for once!)
• Smart, subtle horror—less gore, more dread
• A24 vibes in full force

Cons:

• The third act loses steam
• A few convenient plot devices
• Some threads left hanging
• Topher Grace is underused
• The "twist" doesn’t quite land

Would I recommend it?
If you love slow-burn psychological thrillers, yes. If you’re looking for slasher-style scares or gore, this ain’t it. Heretic is here to mess with your head—not your stomach.

Stay tuned for more devilishly dark movie deep dives at Land of Geek Magazine!

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