Close Sidebar close
The Cinematropolis
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Write For Us
    • Contact
  • Essays
    • Essays
    • Lists
    • Film Festivals
    • Reel Insights with Laron Chapman
  • The Cinematic Schematic
  • Interviews
  • Planet Thunder
  • Store

Subscribe & Follow

About

  • Write For Us
  • About Us
  • Scream 7

    ‘Scream 7’ Is a Tired Entry That Plays the Hits

    March 4, 2026
  • How to Make a Killing

    How to Make a Killing: Bonus Mini-Review

    February 19, 2026
  • Wuthering Heights

    “Wuthering Heights”: Bonus Mini-Review

    February 18, 2026
  • Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die

    Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die Bonus Mini-Review

    February 13, 2026
  • Scarlet

    Scarlet: Bonus Mini-Review

    February 5, 2026
  • Send Help

    Send Help: Bonus Mini-Reviews

    February 4, 2026
  • 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

    ’28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’ Champions Compassion in the Bleakest World

    January 21, 2026
  • Movies to Watch in 2026

    Cinema Sneak Peek – New Movies to Watch in 2026

    January 14, 2026
  • Top 5 Movies of 2025

    The Cinematropolis Top 5 Films of 2025

    January 7, 2026
  • 2025 Oklahoma Film Critics Circle Awards

    One Battle After Another Reigns Victorious at the 2025 Oklahoma Film Critics Circle Awards

    January 6, 2026

Brought to you by Planet Thunder Productions

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Write For Us
    • Contact
  • Essays
    • Essays
    • Lists
    • Film Festivals
    • Reel Insights with Laron Chapman
  • The Cinematic Schematic
  • Interviews
  • Planet Thunder
  • Store
The Cinematropolis
The Cinematropolis
    Featured The Cinematic Schematic

    ‘Heretic’ Asks Big Questions About Religion Through Chilling Thrills – The Cinematic Schematic

    November 20, 2024
    https://media.blubrry.com/thecinematicschematic/www.thecinematropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/24-042-Heretic-Review_Final_V2.mp3

    Podcast: Play in new window | Download

    Subscribe: TuneIn | RSS

    What do chain fast food restaurants, board games, and world religions have in common? In this episode of The Cinematic Schematic, we dig into that question in our review of the recent religion-powered horror starring Hugh Grant, Heretic.

    Does the film bring thoughtful thrills, or is it just a cheap parlor trick that uses religion as a gimmick? Tune in to find out.


    Meet The Guests

    Returning from deadCenter, Kevin Ely and U.S. Air Force Chaplain Trevor Winfrey join the show to discuss these weighty topics of religion and belief and have healthy conversations about tough topics without threatening blueberry pie. But not before they talk with hosts Caleb Masters and Laron Chapman about their favorite fast food selections.

    Heretic
    Left to Right: Trevor Winfrey, Kevin Ely, Laron Chapman, and Caleb Masters

    Ice-Breaker Question

    Time Stamps: 5:50

    You are locked in a snowy cabin in a debate with a fictional screen character.

    Two-part question–

    1. What fictional screen character would you most prefer to be stuck talking to?
    2. What fictional screen character would you least prefer to be stuck talking to?

    Spoiler-Free Review

    Time Stamps: 13:27

    In our spoiler-free review, we discuss:

    • Overall thoughts
    • Lead performances from Hugh Grant as Mr. Reed, Sophie Thatcher as Sister Barnes, Chloe East as Sister Paxton
    • How effectively the film explores horror through the lens of faith
    • Letter grade verdicts
    • Alternate media recommendations

    Spoiler-Filled Analysis

    Time Stamps: 40:03

    Things get extra deep in the spoiler-focused conversation when things cross into theological and philosophical. In this spoilers conversation, we talk about:

    • How the film uses existential and spiritual anxiety to create cerebral chills over cheap shocks
    • Heretic‘s perspective on toxic atheism vs unexamined faith

    Special Guests


    Kevin Ely

    Senior Features Programmer at deadCenter

    Follow Kevin on Instagram @KevinEly


    Profile photo of Trevor Winfrey, MDiv., BCC

    Trevor Winfrey

    US Air Force Chaplain, Captain


    About Heretic


    According to IMDB, Heretic is described as:

    Two young religious women are drawn into a game of cat-and-mouse in the house of a strange man.


    Follow The Cinematic Schematic Podcast

    Hear all this and more of our past and future episodes by subscribing to The Cinematic Schematic on your preferred podcast app and leaving us a rating on Apple Podcasts!

    Email Us: thecinematropolis@gmail.com

    Follow The Cinematic Schematic on Spotify

    Like The Cinematropolis on Facebook

    Follow The Cinematropolis on Twitter @thecinematrop



    HereticHugh GrantKevin ElyThe Cinematic SchematicTrevor Winfrey
    Caleb Masters
    Caleb Masters is a lifelong film and pop culture enthusiast with more than 10 years experience in writing, podcasting and video production. When he's not running The Cinematropolis or hosting The Cinematic Schematic podcast, Masters serves as an active member of the Oklahoma Film Critic's Circle where he currently serves as Vice President. He also loves video games. Follow him @CMastersTalk on Letterboxd, Instagram, or X.
    • ‘Speak No Evil’ is No Ordinary American Remake

    • ‘Conclave’ Is a Deceptively Pulpy Costume Drama

    You Might Also Like

    Furloughed Film Talks

    Furloughed Film Talks at deadCenter – dCFF21

    June 15, 2021
    Turtles Mutant Mayhem

    Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem Review – The Cinematic Schematic

    August 9, 2023

    Cut to the Chase – The Power of a Great Cinematic Car Chase

    June 19, 2017

    No Comments

Brought to You By

Planet Thunder Productions

2026 - All Rights Reserved.