Unpacking the Layers of A24’s “Heretic”: A Former Mormon Missionary’s Analysis
I just finished watching Heretic, and wow, this movie feels personal. As someone who once served as a Mormon missionary, I can say with confidence that this film hits differently when you’ve lived the life it depicts (at least the life it depicts in the intro…).
So, grab a blueberry candle (trust me, it’s a thing), settle in, and let’s dive into my reaction and analysis of what might just be the most unnervingly accurate portrayal of religion as control. There are spoilers in this article!
My Reaction and Analysis as a Former Mormon Missionary
Welcome to the Mormon Missionary Experience… or Trap?
The movie starts with two sister missionaries walking right into a trap set by Mr. Reed, played by the ever-charming Hugh Grant. He lures them in with a lie that his wife is just “in the other room.” Spoiler alert: she isn’t. As a former missionary, I can tell you this would have totally worked on me. We were so eager to find anyone who would listen to our message that we’d overlook even the most obvious red flags. The sisters’ blind trust felt all too real.
The setup is genius because it’s not just about the physical trap—it’s about the mental one. The sisters, like so many missionaries, operate under the assumption that God will protect them, no matter how sketchy the situation. And let me tell you, there’s no shortage of sketchy situations on a mission.
Religion in Sheep’s Clothing: Mr. Reed as the Perfect Metaphor
Hugh Grant’s Mr. Reed isn’t just the villain; he’s religion itself, all dressed up in a “Bless This Mess” cross-stitch and the smell of fake blueberry pie. His home starts out as warm and inviting—a picture-perfect representation of what religion promises. But as the sisters venture deeper, both literally and metaphorically, that facade crumbles.
His manipulation of the sisters mirrors how religion often operates. “You can leave anytime you want,” he says, while locking the doors behind them. Sound familiar? It’s the same line many religions use: “You’re free to choose, but if you leave, you’ll lose your family, your salvation, and your worthiness.” It’s choice with a massive asterisk.
Sweet Blueberry Lies
The blueberry pie motif? Chef’s kiss. It’s such a brilliant way to show how sweetness and hospitality can mask something much darker. From the candle that smells like pie to the poisoned dessert later in the movie, it’s all about how appearances can deceive.
As someone who’s been in situations where everything looked fine on the surface but was toxic underneath (cough organized religion cough), this symbolism hit hard.
And the way the house is designed? Pure genius. It’s a metaphor for the progression of religious indoctrination: the cozy living room as the approachable first step, the stark backroom as the more controlling layer, and finally, the basement—a cult-like nightmare that strips away all pretense.
Missionary Life, Naivety, and Perfect Details
The portrayal of the sister missionaries is freakishly accurate. I served a mission in Denver, Colorado for 18 months, and so it was amazing to see how well they portrayed the women. From their shoes to their smiles, it’s all there.
Sister Paxton, the bubbly believer, and Sister Barnes, the skeptical realist, are two sides of the same missionary coin. Their awkward conversations about relationships (inspired by a condom ad, no less) perfectly capture the naivety that’s baked into missionary culture.
One thing the movie nailed is how missionaries are trained to sell. Yes, sell. We were basically unpaid salespeople, knocking on doors, setting daily goals, and tracking stats like it was some divine sales contest. That desperate hustle for “conversions” makes you willing to entertain people and situations you’d otherwise avoid—another layer the movie captures with unsettling accuracy.
The Big Takeaway: Religion as a Master Manipulator
Here’s where Heretic gets spicy: it’s not just a thriller about creepy dudes. It’s a critique of how religion, at its core, can manipulate and control. Mr. Reed embodies this beautifully. His ability to trap the sisters while convincing them they chose to be there is a scathing metaphor for the illusion of choice in faith systems. And the comparison he makes between religions and iterations of Monopoly? Iconic. Religion as “Bible fanfiction”? Perfection.
By the time the sisters realize they’re trapped, the movie isn’t just about their physical captivity—it’s about how religion holds people mentally captive. The house becomes a stand-in for the structure of belief, from the sugary sweet surface to the dark, controlling core.
Closing Thoughts: A Movie Worth Talking About
Heretic isn’t just a movie; it’s a mirror held up to religion and missionary life. For me, it was both cathartic and infuriating. Watching these sisters navigate a system that so closely resembles my own experiences brought back memories—some funny, some terrifying, all too real.
If you’ve seen the movie, I want to hear your take. Did the blueberry pie metaphor blow your mind, too? Do you agree that Mr. Reed is religion in human form? Drop your thoughts below and let’s talk. And if you haven’t seen it yet, what are you waiting for? Light a candle, bake a (non-poisoned) pie, and prepare to have your mind blown.
