This article cont ains spoilers for Heretic.Heretic‘s Sophie Thatcher speaks on the reactions to her character’s ending. Thatcher plays Sister Barnes, one of the two young Mormon missionaries in the film who is looking to spread the word of the Book of Mormon and convert new people to their religion. At one remote stop, the two meet Mr. Reed, a man who seems interested in learning more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, but has something far more sinister at play. Heretic features a leading cast including Thatcher, Chloe East, Hugh Grant, and Topher Grace.

In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant, Thatcher explains how people reacted to her character’s shocking twist in Heretic. The actor explains that she watched the Heretic premiere surrounded by several members of her family, including her mom, sister, and boyfriend. The former two people “couldn’t look the first time [they] saw it.” Thatcher’s boyfriend “had a panic attack and had to go to the bathroom.” Thatcher says that she was so “engrossed” in the film herself that she even worried about Sister Paxton’s life. Check out the full quote from Thatcher below:

I was with my mom and my sister at the premiere a couple of days ago, and they couldn’t look the first time we saw it. My boyfriend had a panic attack and had to go to the bathroom – which I’m calling him out on that, but it means he loves me. It’s funny watching it.

Even at the end of the movie, when [Mr. Reed] is on top of Chloe, and we don’t know what’s going to happen. I’m like, “Oh my God, Sister Paxton! What’s going to happen?” And I’m like, “Oh, duh, I come in.” That shows how engrossed I was. I was like, “Something’s going to happen. What’s going to happen? …Oh, wait, I know what happens. I filmed it.” That kind of happens with my death [scene] too, and I think that’s good.

What This Means For Heretic’s Ending Reception

Heretic’s Ending Will Help Its Theatrical Success

The reaction of Thatcher’s family is one thing, but it is even more fascinating to hear how the star herself responded to seeing the scene for the first time. Even knowing what was going to happen, Thatcher felt the urge of suspense as she was watching Heretic, wondering what was going to happen next, as if she had not been there to film it herself. The hope would be that audiences would have the same rapt attention that Thatcher herself did, which would lead the project to success.

Heretic‘s ending is probably the biggest thing the film has going for it in terms of long-term box office success. Historically, A24 horror films have performed the best when they feature shocking scenes or twist endings that get people talking. With Sister Barnes’ surprise (yet brief) resurrection, Heretic provides this kind of twist. It also has enough ambiguity to generate significant discussion online in the wake of its release.

Our Take On Heretic’s Ending

Heretic Hints At The Ending Early On

Heretic‘s ending should not be entirely shocking. After all, the wooden plank with protruding nails is Chekhov’s gun in the film. It is introduced early on and even gets a quick solo shot after Sister Barnes sets it down, causing the audience to recognize its importance. However, Heretic directors Bryan Woods and Scott Beck stage the scene so that the hit is so quick that the audience cannot process what has happened before Sister Paxton gets the chance to. It is this quickness that helps create the shock, making Heretic‘s ending twist effective.