This article containsHeretic spoilers.
Hugh Grantis the ultimate pompous mansplainer inHeretic, an unusual philosophical horror from writer/directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods.
So the women reluctantly enter the house to discuss the Book of Mormon.
But all, of course, is not what it seems.
Reeds theological bullying intensifies and the Sisters find the front door is lockedon a timer according to Reed.
Lets break down his plan.
What Does Reed Really Want?
He wants to prove to them that God isnt real, and that his intelligence can outdo their spirituality.
Was he always intending to kill the girls?
Mr. Reed has spent his entire life investigating what is the one true religion, the filmmaker tells us.
That was the most likely outcome of this evening.
However, as the evening progresses, Reed finds himself intrigued and threatened by Sister Barnes.
And so for maintain control, he has to cross a line.
But Barnes puts forward another point of view and wont allow Reed to dominate her.
She defies his sense of intellectual control, and so… the test goes another more insidious direction.
When Did Reed Remove the Bikes?
This doesnt necessarily mean he planned to kill them at this point.
Woods describes it as a game of chess.
Many, many different outcomes.
So Im gonna go over here and do this thing.
And hes constantly playing chess in his mind.
Hes predicting what theyre going to do and what hes going to do.
Who Is the Prophet?
The prophet is another of Reeds tricks.
Then the second woman drops the body into the basement and replaces her.
Reed is perfectly happy with this outcome.
I knew you were going to do that!
Clearly the scheme is to make it seem like he is the ultimate controller.
The trouble is, he wasnt actually able to control Sister Barnes.
And I think maybe hes not quite as used to that and is thrown off…
Whereas I think earlier in the movie, Sister Paxton is trying to appease him a bit more.
Or so we think.
Out of leftfield, and on cue, Barnes pops up and kills Reed before dying herself.
Has she been resurrected?
After surviving the unbearable ordeal of Reeds house, she still has her faith.
Praying doesnt work, she tells him, it makes no difference at all.
But ultimately its nice to know that someone is thinking of you.
When Reed is dying therefore, she prays for him, even after everything hes put her through.
He has not won, he has not taken her faith, and he cannot control her.
Though one of them is dead, these women have ultimately bested him.
Chloe East, who plays Sister Paxton, had a particularly interesting reading of the scene, as well.
She prays for him at the end, East says.
I think stuff like that is very admirable.
I think she does have some sympathy or empathy towards him, which is crazy because I wouldnt.
But Im inspired by it after seeing the movie.
I think initially my instincts are when someone shows who they are, you run.
You dont pray for them.
I think even though he does switch she doesnt always read into it being sinister, East says.
After she escapes the basement she is visited by a butterflythe spirit of Barnes perhapsthough the butterfly quickly disappears.
Is Paxton believing what she wants to believe?
An extension of her faith made manifest?
A glimpse of hope which could also be interpreted as delusion?
