I, a lover of most Hugh Grant movies, watched Heretic (2024) with a few horror loving friends and thought I could throw my two-cents about this psychological horror into the Tumblr void. I'm in no way a movie 'critic' or 'aficionado', I just found some of the religious rhetoric and visuals thought provoking and an enjoyable watch with friends.
The A24 movie was directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, and is a cool 1h 51m in runtime which honestly felt decent while watching. Hugh Grant did an AMAZING portrayal of the character of Mr. Reed, as well as Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East's characters kept my friends and I engaged in every scene, especially since most of the movie is a back and forth conversation between him and Sister Barnes and Paxton (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East respectively). It's that back and forth conversation that got me thinking, as someone coming from an agnostic religious perspective.
So slight spoiler warning! I won't be reciting the plot scene for scene but I will talk about a bit of dialogue that happens later in the movie.
Alright, lets's get to it 💜
The point that stuck with me even after watching, that motivated me to even write this post, was when Mr Reed asks Sister Paxton what she thinks the one true religion is, and Sister Paxton answers: control.
It's a pretty obvious conclusion to come to based on the manipulation and situations Mr Reed has forced upon the Sisters, all in the efforts of his one true religion. But what he sees as a pessimistic reality of all religions, I can objectively see both sides.
That idea all religions stem from control can be concerning of course.
Imagine your life choices being curated by an organisation or person who doesn't actually care about your emotional fulfillment but just wants to see how much he can make your little puppet dance on his strings..... 👀that's some dark existential stuff!
Malevolent intent aside however, I can see the other side of control and how, paradoxically, it can be interpreted as a form of freedom. Knowing that your actions lead to a greater goal, or that small harmless mistake you made won't come back to bite you in the long run, the inner contentment knowing you are part of a collection of people with similar beliefs and struggles coming together - I can see how that could bring someone inner peace. That's something Mr Reed couldn't seem to grasp in th movie, that yes people can use the guise of religion to suit their own agendas and selfish needs, but the comfort and support it represents to individuals longing for that in their lives is also good. (again, I'm not religious XD).
We as humans hate the uncertainty of the unknown and often want a reason for existence and such which, obviously, is no excuse to capitalise on that and play people like fiddles! However Mr Reed took his revelation of the "one true religion" and weaponised it, never really understanding the paradoxical interpretations of control in the first place, which honestly, is quite sad.
I'm not religious myself but I make sure to understand that, like a lot of things, it's never black and white. Yes it can be good and help grow a community of support that some people very much need, but it can also be used to isolate, hate and condemn those who need support the most. Control is everywhere and in everything, but there is never a concrete line between bad and good... in my opinion at least XD
And that's all I really had to note, not really great at this philosophical debate stuff but I do like hearing other points of view on the matter! I live to hear opinions that could change/affirm my own, it's good for the brain so feel free to comment!
