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Heretic: One Man's Search For Truth is Two Young Women's Nightmare
Religion is always a complex topic for many to discuss. There are many faiths in the world, and there are times when even the most stout believers will question whether they are following the right path. For those who do not follow a particular faith, some are fascinated by an intellectual desire to understand why people believe what they believe.
The 2024 film, Heretic from A24, takes the concept of faith and uses it to create an unsettling horror film. If you are familiar with any of the horror offerings from A24, you know that they are often what has been known as "elevated horror". No, Jason Voorhees is not in these films, but something more visceral and mental. When done well, the audience is left unsettled, even if they are unsure why until the end.
Heretic continues this tradition from the studio. The story centers on two female Mormon missionaries, Sister Barnes (Sophia Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East). The two young women attempt to share their faith with people in an unspecified town, but are met with indifference and ridicule. Undeterred, the pair make one final stop at the home of Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant), who had sent off to get more information from the church.
Mr. Reed invites the girls inside, assuring them that his wife is home and that she is making a pie…
