The ending of Heretic is one that leaves audiences scratching their heads and searching for meaning. In the A24 thriller, two young Mormon missionaries find themselves trapped in a sinister game of faith, survival, and manipulation with the charming yet dangerous Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant). With an ending that has sparked debate and divided viewers, Chloe East, who plays Sister Paxton, reflects on what makes the film’s conclusion so compelling and why it remains polarising.
As a movie that blends faith-based themes with psychological horror, Heretic dives deep into the complexities of belief, control, and the question of what is real. From the opening scenes to the final moments, the film keeps audiences on edge, making it one of the most talked-about films of the year.
But what’s really going on in the final scenes? In this blog, we’ll break down the Heretic ending, analyse its symbolism, and explore why it’s a talking point for everyone from religious viewers to horror fans. Let’s dive in!
The Plot: A Tale of Faith, Control, and Survival
In Heretic, two Mormon missionaries—Sister Paxton (Chloe East) and Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher)—are invited into the home of Mr. Reed, a seemingly harmless older man. What begins as a typical visit to share the teachings of the LDS faith soon takes a dark turn when they realise Mr. Reed has sinister plans for them.
The film explores themes of faith, control, and the manipulation of belief, as Mr. Reed forces the missionaries to choose between belief and disbelief, using every psychological trick at his disposal. While Mr. Reed criticises all forms of religion, including the one Paxton and Barnes hold dear, his own worldview is revealed to be just as extreme and hypocritical.
As the two young women try to escape, their faith is tested at every turn. In the end, it’s up to Paxton to face the truth about Mr. Reed’s motives—and her own beliefs. But the final moments of Heretic leave many unanswered questions.
Chloe East’s Take on the Ending: A Personal Reflection on Faith
Chloe East, who grew up in the LDS faith, has a unique perspective on the themes of the film. In an interview, she shared her thoughts on why Heretic resonates with such a wide audience: “Depending on how you were raised, everyone has a different perspective on the movie and what it means.”
For East, the film’s puzzle-box structure allows for multiple interpretations of the ending, which is one of the reasons it has sparked so much debate. “I’m always curious about what people’s takes are. I have a lot of Mormon friends who are excited to see it. Some have already and love it for very specific reasons. And then I know people who aren’t religious at all who think it’s great but in a completely different way.”
This open-ended approach allows Heretic to appeal to a broad spectrum of viewers. Whether you’re religious or secular, there’s a way to connect with the story. But when it comes to the final moments, the ambiguity is both the film’s greatest strength and its biggest talking point.
The Butterfly Dream: What Does It All Mean?
If there’s one thing that stands out in Heretic, it’s the polarising ending. The final sequence sees Paxton, after surviving a harrowing battle, encountering a butterfly perched on her finger. This seemingly innocuous moment is loaded with meaning and serves as the culmination of the film’s philosophical and spiritual undertones.
Here’s where it gets interesting: The butterfly is a direct reference to Zhuangzi’s Butterfly Dream, a Chinese philosophical allegory that questions the nature of reality. Is Paxton dreaming? Is she dead? Or is the butterfly a symbol of spiritual resurrection? The film leaves this open to interpretation, which has led to a variety of theories about its true meaning.
Possible Interpretations:
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A Hallucination: Some viewers believe the butterfly represents Paxton’s hallucination, a fleeting vision before her death or an escape from her traumatic ordeal.
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Divine Intervention: Others argue that the butterfly is a form of miraculous rebirth. Perhaps Paxton is saved by Barnes’ last-minute intervention, with the butterfly symbolising her resurrection.
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An Afterlife: A third interpretation suggests that Paxton is actually dead, and the butterfly represents her journey into the afterlife, as described by the prophet earlier in the film.
The beauty of the ending is that there’s no definitive answer. It’s a thought-provoking exploration of faith, and each viewer can draw their own conclusions based on personal beliefs and experiences.
Faith, Hypocrisy, and Control: The Heart of the Film
Heretic delves into the complexity of religion and the manipulation of belief systems. Throughout the film, Mr. Reed dismantles the missionaries’ faith with cold logic, using pop culture references like Monopoly and Radiohead to undermine their beliefs. Yet, his own views are deeply flawed and fanatical, revealing the hypocrisy that underpins his worldview.
East admits that she was initially unsure about how the film would approach religion. “When I first got the audition, I felt like, ‘Oh, I don’t know if I can do this because it’s probably a one-sided religious statement.’ But then after reading the script, I realised it was more of an open dialogue,” she says.
This is what sets Heretic apart from other faith-based films. It doesn’t offer easy answers or preach a singular point of view. Instead, it allows for debate and discussion, showing the ways in which people of all faiths can be manipulated—whether by external forces like Mr. Reed, or by their own internal beliefs.
Key Themes in Heretic:
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The Nature of Reality: The film raises important questions about what is real and what is imagined. The final scenes, where Paxton sees the butterfly, exemplify the film’s ongoing exploration of reality versus perception.
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Hypocrisy in Religion: Through Mr. Reed, the film critiques religious systems, showing that even those who criticise religion can fall prey to their own form of dogma.
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Manipulation of Faith: Heretic is ultimately about the manipulation of belief. Both Paxton and Barnes are subjected to psychological and physical torture, but they also learn to resist and outsmart their captor by using their faith and intellect.
Why Heretic is a Must-Watch:
The film is a masterclass in psychological horror, blending themes of religion, control, and survival with a haunting and ambiguous ending. Whether you’re a religious person or not, the philosophical questions at the core of Heretic are universal.
If you’re looking for a film that challenges your perceptions and keeps you questioning long after the credits roll, Heretic is worth a watch. The polarising ending is sure to spark discussions, and Chloe East’s performance as Sister Paxton is one of the standout elements of the film.
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