Review of Heretic: A Cerebral Thriller That Sparks Thought

Positive Review of Heretic: A Cerebral Thriller That Sparks Thought

Heretic, directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, is a refreshing departure from typical horror fare, blending psychological tension with theological debate in a way that’s both chilling and thought-provoking. Hugh Grant delivers a career-defining performance as Mr. Reed, a smug yet charismatic atheist whose intellectual sparring with two young Mormon missionaries—Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East)—forms the film’s gripping first half. His monologues, while verbose, are riveting, thanks to Grant’s ability to make even flawed arguments sound seductive.

The film’s dive into simulation theory—Reed’s claim that life might be a controlled illusion, punctuated by his dramatic reveal of a “microchip” (later debunked as a contraceptive implant)—is a clever twist that elevates the stakes. It’s not just horror; it’s a mind game that forces you to question reality alongside the characters. Reed’s atheist “errors,” like his oversimplified Jesus-myth parallels (e.g., comparing Christ to Horus or Mithras), are presented as shallow by design, subtly exposing the limits of his worldview. The missionaries’ resilience—especially Barnes’ refusal to cave despite her throat being slashed—offers a quiet triumph of faith over cynicism.

The final act, where Paxton escapes after a “miracle” (a butterfly landing on her, hinting at divine intervention), is ambiguous enough to spark debate: Is it supernatural, or just coincidence? This open-endedness, paired with Chung-hoon Chung’s claustrophobic cinematography, makes Heretic a standout. It’s not about proving God or disproving atheism—it’s about the tension of belief itself. Fans of cerebral horror will find plenty to chew on, and Grant’s villainy is worth the price of admission alone.

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Negative Review of Heretic: A Promising Premise Undone by Preachy Flaws

Heretic starts with an intriguing setup—two Mormon missionaries trapped by a menacing atheist—but quickly stumbles into a tedious, one-sided lecture that fails as both horror and philosophy. Hugh Grant’s Mr. Reed is initially captivating, oozing charm as he dismantles the sisters’ faith with arguments about simulation theory and religious origins. But the film gives him far too much screen time to ramble, turning what could’ve been a tense debate into a soapbox for outdated atheist tropes. His simulation theory rant—culminating in a laughable “microchip” reveal that’s just a birth control implant—feels like a Reddit thread come to life, not a serious challenge to belief.

The atheist “errors” here are glaring: Reed’s smug reliance on tired Jesus-myth comparisons (debunked by scholars for decades) and his control-obsessed worldview aren’t clever critiques—they’re strawmen meant to make faith look noble by default. The missionaries, while likable (thanks to solid performances from Thatcher and East), barely fight back with substance, leaving the “dialogue” lopsided and shallow. When the film shifts to gore—Reed slashing Barnes’ throat, locking women in cages—it feels like a cheap pivot from a script that ran out of ideas.

The ending, with Paxton’s “miraculous” escape and a butterfly landing on her, tries to hint at something profound but lands as contrived. Simulation theory is name-dropped without depth, and the atheist portrayal is so cartoonish it undermines any real discussion. Heretic wants to be smart, but it’s a frustrating mess—neither scary enough for horror fans nor sharp enough for thinkers. It’s a missed opportunity that preaches more than it provokes.

This movie shows us that fanaticism can take hold in atheist circles, particularly in the "new atheism" faction. We have seen this in social media and other areas where some posing as the "new atheists" berated theists and posted banal arguments refuted centuries ago in a hostile and often puerile manner.

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Notes on Approach

• Simulation Theory: In Heretic, Reed uses this concept (the idea that reality might be a computer simulation) to unsettle the missionaries, suggesting their faith is just code in a machine. I wove this into both reviews, highlighting its effectiveness (positive) or superficiality (negative).
• Atheist Errors: Both reviews address Reed’s arguments—e.g., his mythic parallels and control thesis—as flawed or oversimplified, reflecting common critiques of pop-atheism (like those from Richard Dawkins or Christopher Hitchens) that lack scholarly rigor.
• Film Context: Released November 8, 2024, Heretic has a 91% Rotten Tomatoes score as of March 12, 2025, and grossed $57.4 million. I assumed basic plot knowledge to focus on themes.