patheur

Heretic star Hugh Grant reveals they filmed two different versions of the horror film’s dramatic ending.

Sakege November 1, 2024

Warning: The following contains spoilers for the Heretic finale… you have been warned!

In the new horror film Heretic, British star Hugh Grant takes on his most sinister role yet playing the mysterious Mr. Reed, a man who is visited by two young Mormon missionaries in an attempt to convert him to their religion.

Throughout the film, Grant tests the faith of Sister Paxton (Chloe East) and Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher), first through an intense theological debate before events take a violent turn. As we hurtle toward the final act, Mr. Reed stabs Sister Barnes, leaving her for dead on the floor of a filthy dungeon-like room, meaning Sister Paxton now has to face the dangerous stranger alone.

During that final confrontation, Mr. Reed reveals what he believes is the “only true religion,” which is ultimately “control,” showing Sister Paxton the various women he has locked in cages. As the young missionary tries to flee, she attacks Mr. Reed by stabbing him and runs back to the dungeon-like room, trying to find an escape route.

However, Grant’s Mr. Reed soon catches up to her and at the very moment he is about to kill Sister Paxton, he is hit over the head with a wooden board full of nails, a weapon we saw leave a side earlier in the episode. movie. It turns out that Sister Barnes was not dead yet, and she used the last of her strength to save her fellow missionary, Sister Paxton, before finally passing away. Maybe you could call it a miracle.

Now, using his last breath, the struggling Mr. Reed crawls to Sister Paxton and asks her to pray, realizing that he is about to die at any moment. And sure enough, he dies in her arms.

Hugh Grant as Mr. Reed in the upcoming film Heretic.

(Image credit: A24)

It’s an exciting ending but, as Grant reveals to GamesRadar+ in a recent interview, it could have been different. That’s because they filmed two versions of this final moment, each featuring a different performance by the actor. The one who made the final cut is a terrified Mr. Reed asking for a prayer, but he also filmed one in which his character is still trying to make a game out of it, as he had been doing for the rest of the night.

As Grant explains: “I filmed it two ways. There’s a moment where I crawl across the floor towards her after being stabbed, which I did two ways. One where he’s still trying to make it all okay.” fun, like he’s been trying to.” to make the whole night fun. He was like, ‘Look at this, this is fun, dying.’ And then I did another one where all his defenses disappeared and he was shitting himself thinking he was going to die, and he was very. scared. “He wants some comfort and he wants her to comfort him, maybe with a prayer.”

Continuing, Grant reveals that he himself wasn’t sure which version directing duo Scott Beck and Bryan Woods ultimately used, adding that because the film “ran so long,” a lot was played with with the ending. However, he says his favorite shot of the two was the one we see in the final film.

As Grant concludes: “I’m not entirely clear how they edited it, which of those two performances they’re going to choose. I think it’s the latter. But I know they shortened the last 20 minutes quite a bit, the movie was running.” “It’s long, so maybe it’s not entirely clear. I really like the second way: Finally, after a whole hour and a half of this guy being in complete control, he’s a scared rabbit.”

Heretic is available in UK cinemas now, before releasing in US cinemas on November 8. To learn more about our interview with Grant, read his take on how A24 horror is the perfect antidote for the current state of cinema and Which scenes from the movie are you most proud of?

Also look at the other one upcoming horror movies that will soon be heading your way.

Ourladyoftheassumptionparish

Ourladyoftheassumptionparish

Heretic star Hugh Grant reveals they filmed two different versions of the horror film’s dramatic ending.

Sakege

Look! This giant, hairy cicada lived with dinosaurs and was terrified of birds

Bronny James scores the first points of his NBA career, 21 years and one day after his father LeBron

Why the Bears should really trade for Myle Garrett or Maxx Crosby

‘Vile’ Middlesbrough domestic abuser jailed for tormenting woman

Heretic star Hugh Grant reveals they filmed two different versions of the horror film’s dramatic ending.

Sakege

You Might Also Like

Look! This giant, hairy cicada lived with dinosaurs and was terrified of birds

Bronny James scores the first points of his NBA career, 21 years and one day after his father LeBron

Why the Bears should really trade for Myle Garrett or Maxx Crosby

‘Vile’ Middlesbrough domestic abuser jailed for tormenting woman