* Plout lines
Today I bring you a deep discussion about religion that has already been related to franchises such as “Shaw”, “Escape Room” or “Speak No Evil”.
“Heretic” is all this and much more, a cocktail that lacks nothing. Terror. Intrigue | Unique setting. Excellent performances. Fresh, solid story with an agile narrative.
A great theory about religion, which will leave you with questions. And surely, terrified.
Two young Mormon missionaries, Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East), on their mission to convert souls, knock on the door of Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant), an elderly Englishman.
Mr. Reed offers them entry to his house in the middle of a terrible storm.
The missionaries accept, since his wife is preparing a blueberry pie and it is essential for their religion that there be a woman in the house.e is preparing a blueberry pie and it is essential for their religion that there be a woman in the house.
“It’s good to be religious,” says Mr. Reed, who is very interested in learning more about the Mormon religion. In a familiar and friendly environment, discussions about faith develop in this intricate narrative and Mr. Reed demonstrates great knowledge about all religions.
The setting is both welcoming and enigmatic: an embroidered frame with the legend “Bless this mess” on one wall, lights on a timer and metal on walls and ceilings.
Mr. Reed confronts the missionaries with their own doubts.
Discuss the Mormon Church’s position on polygamy and then which religions are most commercialized.
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Mr. Reed's wife never appears and we begin to suspect that she never existed, just like the blueberry pie.
Our young and naive Mormon sisters soon discover the dark and twisted intentions of their host, who reveals his true heretic face.
Caught in a labyrinthine and possibly deadly game proposed by Mr. Reed, they will be put to the test and their faith will be questioned at every turn…
* Technical sheet
Inspired by Robert Zemeckis’ Contact, it is the brainchild of Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, who worked as screenwriters alongside John Krasinski on Place in Silence (2018). As directors, the duo was also behind films such as Haunt (2019) and 65: The Age of Extinction (2023) with Adam Driver.
Principal photography was shot in Vancouver by Chung Chung-hoon.
Soundtrack with Chris Bacon (Wednesday, Source Code, Gnomeo & Juliet, Bates Motel, 65, Men in Black: International, The Tick).
Production and distribution by A24, the company behind “The Witch,” “Hereditary,” “Midsommar,” the “X” trilogy, among other notable works in the genre.
Country: United States
Year: 2024
* The hallmark
It is really a very well-made film, in which Hugh Grant becomes a delicious, macabre and evil villain.
A controversial proposal that takes to the limit an intricate dance between miracle and faith. The 110 minutes of the film fly by and before you know it you find yourself sitting in your seat, with the lights already on, with more questions than answers to what you have just seen.
Through historical evidence, each religion provides proof of the existence, at a certain time and place, of certain events that support or contextualize its doctrine.
This is reflected in a certain monument, in a certain stone, cloth, sheet, spear, region, etc., which has a sacred character.
We can understand miracles as a way in which divinity demonstrates its power and love for humanity.
But faith precedes the miracle, moreover, it is a condition for it to be performed; faith constitutes an effect of the miracle.
Faith is the trust or belief in something or someone, without requiring proof to confirm that truth. It comes from the Latin term 'fides', which means loyalty or fidelity.
Furthermore, faith refers to the religion or cult itself: Islamic faith, Christian faith, Jewish faith, among others. Mormons, officially the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, are a Christian denomination that considers its beliefs and practices as a restoration of “original” Christianity.
All of this will be questioned permanently, at every moment, throughout the plot. And the Mormon sisters must hold on to their faith so as not to succumb to Mr. Reed’s heresy.
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But what is the origin of faith? A cultural heritage? A certainty? A spiritual attitude? A divine gift?
I leave the answer in your hands, dear reader, and I look forward to your comments.
See you there.
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