Should Christians see the film “Heretic?”

Two entirely different movies hit theaters last weekend. Heretic is a horror movie about two LDS (Mormon) missionaries encountering a serial killer. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is a family-friendly, Christian movie that celebrates the true meaning of Christmas. I’ll focus on Heretic, because you’re less likely to see it, but I want to discuss both in today’s article. 

Heretic is a unique horror about the nature of “belief”

In Heretic, Hugh Grant stars as a charming, retired British man, “Mr. Reed,” who eventually reveals himself as a serial killer. (Yes, that Hugh Grant, known for ‘90s and early 2000s romance and rom-com movies.) Heretic is well-acclaimed by critics, receiving 92 percent approval from them on Rotten Tomatoes. 

A24, the studio that produced Heretic, began as an indie horror studio but has since expanded to other genres (often to critical acclaim). I’ve written several reviews of their movies before, which always represent our time in uniquely postmodern, dark, and secular ways. This film is no different, inviting deep philosophical reflection on the nature of evidence, belief, and God. 

The film is not for everybody, and viewer discretion is strongly advised; Heretic is rated R for violence. The characters also have a brief discussion of a sexual nature. Technically, Heretic doesn’t include supernatural horror, but the film is nevertheless deeply disturbing. 

What happens in Heretic? 

The movie opens innocently enough, as two LDS missionaries approach an elderly, pleasant Mr. Reed, who invites them inside. The discussion begins lightly, but eventually, Mr. Reed begins to challenge their theological views. 

(Spoilers ahead) 

The suspense builds as the missionaries slowly realize they’re trapped in his house. He proceeds to diabolically and emotionally torture them, toying with their sense of belief and faith. The movie eventually turns violent, as the two girls must escape by using their wits and rational arguments against their charming, but brutal, captor. 

Mr. Reed stages a “miracle,” a gruesome, fake resurrection. The girls see through the magic trick and eventually discover a prison of starving, brutalized women Mr. Reed keeps as servants to his occult religion. His religion is based on the one thing he believes all religions revolve around: Control. 

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever 

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever also released this weekend, Directed by Dallas Jenkins (creator of The Chosen). The wholesome, Christian film, based on the 1972 children’s book, beat Heretic in the box office. Unlike most Christian media, it also received critical acclaim—90 percent on Rotten Tomatoes—and a sky-high 98 percent approval rating from audiences. 

As Variety points out, both are religious films of a very different kind. Which movie should you see? Which one should you avoid? Will one grow your faith more? 

That answer, I think, will depend on your particular situation. 

Why you should watch The Best Christmas Pageant Ever 

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is an unapologetically Christian film that exhibits the value of redemption as a group of badly behaved children star in their town’s Sunday school Christmas pageant. The misfits and townspeople learn the true meaning of Christmas through their fumbling but genuine rendition of the play.

It’s the perfect family-friendly film for the Holidays. I can confidently say you should watch it. The movie reminds us of child-like faith, innocence, joy, and the gospel. 

Heretic, however, requires more discernment. 

Should you avoid Heretic?

Heretic forces the audience, whether atheist, LDS, or Evangelical Christian, to question their understanding of belief, miracles, and religion. The serial killer, Mr. Reed, uses arguments and analogies to deconstruct LDS (but also Christian) theology, interrogating what it means to put one’s faith in something. Mr. Reed launches emotionally loaded, hard-to-answer challenges to Christian faith as he tries to dismantle the girl’s worldview in the most twisted ways imaginable.

In the ending scene of Heretic, one of the girls admits she doesn’t believe prayers actually work, due to a sociological study on the efficacy of prayers and miracles. But, she says, she prays anyway. About to die, she says a familiar LDS prayer. 

What follows is open to interpretation, but what appears to be a miracle suddenly saves her from a gruesome death, and she escapes with her life. 

Media that test our faith 

Like its ending, Heretic is open to interpretation. The film could strengthen or weaken a believer’s faith, but regardless, it will test it. The movie could galvanize Christians to study Mr. Reed’s arguments to rationally defend their faith. Exploring doubts and challenges to our faith often leads us to a closer relationship with God. 

The fact that this movie challenges our faith doesn’t mean every Christian should see Heretic or, more generally, seek tests. Your conviction, life circumstances, spiritual maturity, and current relationship with the Lord will determine the degree to which media like Heretic is fruitful ground for reflecting on your faith. Heretic not only raises these questions rationally, but it also creates emotional and psychological manipulation within them. 

As Paul discusses in 1 Corinthians 8, we must be wary of our brother’s, our sister’s, and our own conscience. Will seeing this movie draw you closer to God or repulse you from Him? That is the kind of case-by-case question that only God can answer (James 1:5). 

In short, maturity and freedom in Christ permit Christians to see movies like Heretic, but cautions them too. Regardless, movies like these aren’t most people’s cup of tea—and that’s okay. Simply having the conversation in prayer can give God room to teach you something important about your relationship with him. And you can always choose to see The Best Christmas Pageant Ever instead.