Overview
A chilling game of faith and control unfolds as two young women confront a sociopath in a remote house.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- tense
- eerie
- sardonic
- late night horror viewing
- a24 movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a gruesome, inventive religious horror thriller elevated by Hugh Grant’s charismatic performance, strong cinematography, and an ambitious script.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Mr. Reed subjects Sisters Barnes and Paxton to extended arguments about faith, religion, and religious hypocrisy while controlling their circumstances.
The missionaries enter Mr. Reed's house for a seemingly routine religious visit, but the home becomes the central site of captivity and threat.
Mr. Reed's dapper, courteous presentation contrasts with his sociopathic behavior and increasingly brutal control over the young women.
The film directly engages missionary practice, faith, atheism, and the contradiction between spiritual rhetoric and coercive violence.
Films like Heretic, and why
The Invitation
Shared psychological horror, escalating captivity, religious themes, and a threatening domestic setting.
10 Cloverfield Lane
Shared claustrophobic suspense, intellectual manipulation, and a charismatic male antagonist controlling vulnerable visitors.
The Lodge
Shared religious provocation, disturbing symbolism, and intense psychological dread within an enclosed environment.
Saint Maud
Shared horror built around faith, coercion, and an increasingly surreal confrontation with malevolent belief.
Movie Details
- Directors
- Scott Beck, Bryan Woods
- Release Date
- 2024-10-31
- Runtime
- 111 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (2915)
Cast
- Hugh Grant
- Sophie Thatcher
- Chloe East
- Topher Grace
- Elle Young
- Julie Lynn-Mortensen
- Haylie Hansen
- Elle McKinnon
- Hanna Huffman
- Anesha Bailey
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Hulu, HBO Max Amazon Channel, Cinemax Amazon Channel, Cinemax Apple TV channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Heretic about?
- Two Mormon missionaries discover that a seemingly welcoming religious discussion has become a deadly test of faith inside a sociopath’s house.
- What is Heretic like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Heretic as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Heretic violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Heretic as graphic.
- What did critics think of Heretic?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a gruesome, inventive religious horror thriller elevated by Hugh Grant’s charismatic performance, strong cinematography, and an ambitious script.
- Which films are like Heretic?
- Films with a similar feel include The Invitation, 10 Cloverfield Lane, The Lodge, and Saint Maud.
- How long is Heretic?
- Heretic runs 111 minutes.
- Where can I watch Heretic?
- In United States, Heretic streams on Hulu, HBO Max Amazon Channel, Cinemax Amazon Channel, Cinemax Apple TV channel.
