The following article contains MAJOR spoilers for Heretic.Heretic’s Sister Paxton star Chloe East explains why her character prays for Hugh Grant’s diabolical Mr. Reed at the end of the film, despite putting her through a deadly game designed to imprison her. Directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, the A24 religious horror film follows two young missionaries who visit a seemingly friendly Mr. Reed, who inquires about faith. Atthe end ofHeretic, Sister Paxton attacks Mr. Reed, who then stabs her in the abdomen during her escape.
In an interview withDen of Geek, East sheds some light on why Sister Paxton prays for Mr. Reed when he’s dying. The actor admitted that she initially didn’t understand her decision because it contradicted her choice. However, East believed thatSister Paxton “doesn’t always read into” Mr. Reed’s behavior is “sinister"because she puts her own morality and religion first. The actor elaborated that Sister Paxton “does have some sympathy or empathy” towards Mr. Reed, which is “admirable.” Check out what she said below:
She prays for him at the end. I think stuff like that is very admirable. I think she does have some sympathy or empathy towards him, which is crazy because I wouldn’t. But I’m inspired by it after seeing the movie. I think initially my instincts are when someone shows who they are, you run. You don’t pray for them. I think even though he does switch she doesn’t always read into it being sinister. I think she is more concerned about making the right moral choices and challenging him than seeing him as the satanic figure that needs to go away.
What This Means For Sister Paxton In Heretic
Her Moral Code Is Stronger Than Fear
The highly-rated religious horror movie shows Sister Paxton bleeding out from her abdominal injury in the prayer scene after Mr. Reed stabs her. The two end up in the prophet’s room behind Mr. Reed’s altar of choices. Sister Paxton starts praying, but her prayer isn’t audible to the viewers. East’s comment clarifies thatSister Paxton isn’t praying for herself but for her perpetrator.
Mr. Reed’s Plan In Heretic: All Twists, Reveals & Motive Explained
Hugh Grant’s villainous Mr. Reed plays a complicated role in the twisty psychological horror Heretic, and his complex plan is tough to decipher.
The actor’s initial confusion also speaks about how unusual Sister Paxton’s choice is under the situation. Her comment about the character still choosing to make the right moral choice sheds some light on Sister Paxton’s character and indirectly explainsHeretic’s final butterfly scene—Sister Paxton chooses to believe in the goodness in the world. She believes in the goodness in Mr. Reed and her responsibility as God’s messenger, even though he has done some really terrible things.
Our Take On The Prayer Scene In Heretic
Sister Paxton Shows Her Strength
Before everything unravels, Mr. Reed reveals to Sister Paxton that his one true religion is control by showing her all the women he has caged in his basement. However, Sister Paxton makes an unlikely decision to stab Mr. Reed in the neck to escape.By praying, it could be that Sister Paxton is showing the sinister man that he doesn’t have control of herand that her faith is still strong despite his effort to manipulate her into believing otherwise.
East’sHereticcharacterinitially seems inexperienced and naive in comparison to the sharp-witted Sister Barnes, who comes very close to figuring out Mr. Reed’s con. However,the prayer scene is one of the moments that shows Sister Paxton’s strength and compassion.Despite going through intense theological bullying, Sister Paxton doesn’t lose herself at the end ofHeretic. Sister Barnes wouldn’t have prayed for Mr. Reed’s soul, but Sister Paxton would because that’s the kind of person she chooses to be.
Heretic
Cast
Heretic, released in 2024, follows two young missionaries who must navigate a perilous test of faith when they encounter the sinister Mr. Reed after knocking on the wrong door, leading to a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse.
