As you hopefully read in my newsletter (now on Substack), I enjoyed the fresh take on religious horror in Heretic and enjoyed the excellent performances from the cast. So, I thought I’d take a deeper dive into the film and offer some takeaways we can use in independent filmmaking.
The horror genre has long been intertwined with religion. From ancient myths to contemporary cinema, the spiritual and the sinister often dance together, creating narratives that resonate with deep-seated human fears. 2024’s Heretic, however, dares to subvert this well-trodden path, replacing the usual exorcisms and demonic possessions with a gripping psychological battle grounded in faith and doubt. For filmmakers, screenwriters, and actors, Heretic is a masterclass in innovation, suspense, and character-driven storytelling.
Why Religion and Horror Go Hand-in-Hand
Religion provides a treasure trove of stories, symbols, and archetypes that filmmakers return to again and again. It’s a shared cultural language—particularly in Western contexts—where concepts like the devil, crosses, and the fight between good and evil are almost universally recognised. Think of the crucifix warding off Dracula or a possessed child’s cries echoing through a dimly lit room in The Exorcist. These motifs tap into primal fears and the eternal question: what if the unseen forces we’ve been told about since childhood are real?
But why do these narratives stick? Because they play on two core human fears: the unknown and the loss of control. In horror films, religion becomes both the harbinger of terror and the weapon against it—a dichotomy that Heretic cleverly dismantles.
5 Key Lessons from Heretic for Independent Filmmakers
While Heretic leans into the familiar trope of faith in crisis, it flips the script, delivering a tense psychological horror that avoids the clichés of possession and supernatural evil. Here are five lessons from the film that can inspire creators across disciplines.
1. Crafting Complex Characters
The opening of Heretic introduces two young Mormon missionaries, Sister Paxton (Chloe East) and Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher), grappling with their faith and personal desires. Through candid dialogue about taboo topics like sexuality and temptation, and their public humiliation by a group of peers, the audience quickly grasps their distinct personalities.
For screenwriters, this is a textbook example of character development. Two individuals shaped by the same doctrine are shown reacting differently to the same pressures. Their faith informs their worldview, but their humanity makes them relatable. The lesson? Show, don’t tell. Let your characters reveal themselves through their actions and conversations.
2. Mastering the Long Scene
In an era of rapid cuts and short scenes, Heretic takes its time. Some scenes stretch beyond 10 minutes, but they maintain tension through dynamic shifts in tone, clever dialogue, and cinematic techniques. For example, Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant) uses a game of Monopoly to unravel religious ideologies, only to flip the scene with sudden darkness and unsettling projections.
Writers and directors can learn from this by thinking of long scenes as a series of smaller beats. Breaking a prolonged moment into mini-narratives keeps it engaging while building a crescendo of suspense.
3. Reinventing a Familiar Theme
Rather than featuring a demonic entity or supernatural antagonist, Heretic positions its antagonist as a man whose weapon is doubt. Mr. Reed doesn’t just challenge the missionaries’ beliefs; he manipulates them into existential crises. It’s a fresh take on religion in horror, making the audience question their own assumptions about faith.
Screenwriters should note the power of a fresh perspective on familiar territory. In the crowded horror genre, innovation often lies in subversion. Ask yourself: How can I make my version of a well-known trope stand out?
4. Building Suspense with Subtlety
Suspense in Heretic operates on two levels: withholding information and letting the audience’s imagination fill the gaps. For instance, when Sister Barnes opens a door labelled “belief,” a tear rolls down her cheek, but the audience doesn’t see what she sees until much later. This delayed revelation heightens curiosity and dread.
Filmmakers can take note: What you don’t show can be scarier than what you do. Use dialogue, body language, and environmental cues to tease information and keep viewers on edge.
5. The Art of the Exit
One of the most compelling questions in Heretic is how its protagonists will escape. The story traps them—physically and mentally—forcing the audience to share in their claustrophobia. This mirrors other great films, from Back to the Future(how will Marty return to 1985?) to The Exorcist (how will the priests save Regan?).
For storytellers, this is a reminder that the journey is more important than the destination. The tension of not knowing how a situation will resolve pulls the audience deeper into the narrative.
A Warning to Creators: Know Your Source Material
Religion, as explored in Heretic, isn’t treated superficially. It’s clear the filmmakers invested time in understanding the various religions and their nuances. For screenwriters, particularly those tackling sensitive or sacred topics, this is crucial. Writing based on stereotypes or incomplete knowledge risks alienating your audience. Research is your ally—dig deep, consult experts, and craft narratives that ring true.
Faith as a Tool for Fear
Heretic serves as a reminder that the most terrifying stories don’t always involve jump scares or CGI monsters. Sometimes, the scariest thing is the dismantling of one’s beliefs. For independent filmmakers and writers, it’s a call to embrace innovation, to take risks with familiar tropes, and to always anchor horror in deeply human fears.
So, as you sit down to write or direct your next project, consider this: how can you take a universal idea like faith and make it uniquely terrifying?
What do you think? Have you experimented with religion in your work, or do you have a favourite horror film that explores spirituality? Share your thoughts in the comments below!