Hugh Grant has entered his peak villain era with the new A24 horror movie Heretic, which comes to us from the writers of A Quiet Place, Scott Beck and Bryan Woods. In the film, Grant stars as the charming yet sinister Mr. Reed, a theology enthusiast who invites two Mormon missionaries, Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East), into his home during a snowstorm.
However, it soon becomes clear that Mr. Reed has more nefarious plans for his unsuspecting guests. Mr. Reed reveals his true intentions as he lectures the sisters on the nature of religion. He reveals that he has laid an elaborate trap for them, with no intention of actually converting to Mormonism.
In a series of increasingly disturbing twists, the film builds to a climactic finale that leaves the audience reeling. The ending of Heretic is a masterclass in suspense and psychological horror, showcasing both Grant’s talents as a dramatic actor and the filmmakers’ skill in crafting a deeply unsettling narrative. Here’s a breakdown of how it all goes down:
The Choice Toward the end of the film, Mr. Reed presents the sisters with a choice: they can go through a door marked “belief” if they still believe in their Mormon faith, or a door marked “disbelief” if they are willing to admit that he is speaking the truth. Sister Paxton, seemingly believing this is the best way out, decides to go through the “disbelief” door. But Sister Barnes refuses to renounce her faith, and the two end up going through the “belief” door instead.
The Prophet This leads them to a dingy basement, where Mr. Reed reveals a haggard-looking old woman and claims she is a living prophet who can perform a miracle. He feeds her a poisoned pie, causing her to collapse and die. But then he tells the sisters that she will resurrect and share what she saw on the other side.
The Twist When the old woman does indeed come back to life, she cryptically states that “it isn’t real,” hinting at Mr. Reed’s true motivations. He then suddenly slits Sister Barnes’s throat, claiming it will be another miracle and she will come back to life. But when that doesn’t happen, he cuts into her arm and removes a piece of metal, which he says proves the world is a simulation.
The Finale Mr. Reed then tells Sister Paxton that the only way she can escape the simulation is by killing herself. But Paxton sees through his ruse, realizing the metal is actually a contraceptive and that Mr. Reed is just making up excuses because his plan has gone awry. Paxton stabs Mr. Reed in a climactic showdown, but he also manages to wound her before Sister Barnes, still alive, kills him.
The ending never fully reveals the true nature of Mr. Reed’s “one true religion,” leaving viewers feeling uneasy and uncertain. Was the world really a simulation? Did the sisters experience a true miracle? The ambiguity is part of what makes the finale so chilling and thought-provoking.
Villain Transformation What makes Heretic‘s ending so effective is the way it subverts audience expectations of Hugh Grant. Known for his charming, romantic comedy roles, Grant masterfully transforms himself into a sinister, manipulative villain—one whose disarming smile and polite demeanor only heighten the horror of his true nature.
The film’s clever use of Grant’s established screen persona is a big part of what makes Heretic such a standout horror offering. By playing on our assumptions about the actor, the filmmakers create a villain who is all the more unsettling for his familiar likability.
Ultimately, Heretic‘s ending cements Hugh Grant’s status as a versatile and compelling screen presence, capable of tackling complex, morally ambiguous characters with skill and nuance. It’s a must-see for fans of psychological horror and anyone interested in seeing one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors in a thrilling new light.