Heretic is a British Horror-thriller written and directed by Peter Handford in 2012, filmed in the dull moorlands of England. Stars Andrew Squires and James Zakeri tell a story film saturated with occultism, psychological intimidation and religious aspects. The film employs a sparse, evocative visual style which heightens the suspense and psychological horror. Despite not being popular, Heretic is starting to be known as a cult classic among the indie horror fans because of its gritty take on the narrative together with the theme of horror religion.
Plot Summary
Following Father James Pallister, Andrew Squires brings to life an ex-priest of his character, Father James Pallister who moves to a rural Engligh town after he is invited over to help with a suspected possession, only to deal with series of unfathomable tragedies at that later on prompts him to search for better perception. A wrestling match for the heart and mind places doubt into Father Pallister’s belief. Accepting the fact he has been called in to help, he tries to calm the situation, but it appears there is much more embroiled in the exorcism. The town appears to be in some grip of dark forces and unexplained rituals which worries him, and he is forced to further question his perception of reality, memories, visions and the supernatural today.
As Pallister continues with his investigations into the bura, he comes across convincing evidence of heresy and occult activities and the existence of a sinister cult. What starts out as a mission to find a lost soul ultimately ends up as a personal ordeal, as he tries to reason with his own doubt, evil, and the idea that perhaps he could be the blasphemer that he has always been fighting against.
Characters and Themes
This film examines concepts of mercy, particularly for those afflicted by the disabilities of being human, and the nature of faith and loss within the context of horrific devotion. It examines the concept of heroism, whether it is in the form of the commendable actions of a ‘heretic’ that existed in a world inhabited by more than one man, or the struggle and darkest fears that lie in one’s own head. And in the case of Father Pallister, other themes arise as well, such as the relational gender aspects of desire, respect, and the painful struggles of faith amidst horror that shakes the very core of a person.
Atmosphere and cinematography Heretic is banal with its atmospheric focus and the English moors work as a setting that is both isolated and eerie. The oppressive weather combined with the desolate lands or rather an unexplored part of the world adds to the nightmarish world created in the film as it makes one feel as though they are submerged in a world devoid of history and civilization. The atmosphere in the film is enhanced by the use of low key light, close focuses of the cameras, and a dreary color tone. Most of the film usage employed a low-angle shot, minimalistic cinematography, and dark ambient sound design, which helped in enhancing the drama from the psychological aspect of the cinematographer where the focus was on Pallister and his horrifying experience.
Performances Andrew Squires’s Father Pallister is delivered with hatred and with a thin voice, the performance was suffocating because such a man is ever at the limit of faith and the darkness beckoning within. He drives the movie’s thread through his performance, making it so that the movie becomes that of a weak character but one that is morally ambiguous. The supporting actors although few have good and effective performances to complement the film and its dark events and regardless of how brief each character appeared, it was enough to give the impression that there were forces beyond Pallister’s control.
Reception
When it debuted, Heretic was met with positive and negative sentiments. Some critics complimented its deliberately paced storytelling as well as the psychological undertones aiming at evoking a horror atmosphere and internal conflict rather than external jump scares. Others thought the pacing was too methodical and that the story arc was pretty shallow, considering that it is a horror movie. Even so, Heretic has developed a loyal fanbase that appreciates its unconventional dark stylization, unique storytelling, and a deeper insight into the themes of religion coupled with psychodrama.
Overall Impressions
Heretic is dark, hypnotic slow-burn horror where the focus is on unsettling atmosphere rather than high octane action sequences. Considering its genre, Heretic has a rather unorthodox approach in that it does not indulge in graphic horror content but rather delves deeper in showcasing the protagonist’s mental breakdown. The film is presented as an artistic study of the conflict between faith and madness in one’s head and for that, the audience has to be prepared for a disturbing and thought-provoking journey.
Recommended Viewers
The film Heretic is hopefully appreciated by the viewers who enjoy watching horror movies centered around religion and psychology just like The Witch, The Exorcist or Saint Maud. This is especially great for people who like atmospheric, suspenseful and story-laden horror movies. Anyone who watches the film hoping to find a character with a ‘normal’ personality will be disappointed, as the film dives deeper into the minds of intricately layered characters revolving around more understated horror.
