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    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

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    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.


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    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

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    HereticHugh GrantKevin ElyThe Cinematic SchematicTrevor Winfrey
    Caleb Masters
    Caleb Masters is a film critic, podcast host, and producer with more than fourteen years of experience in media and film criticism, fueled by a lifelong love of pop culture and a passion for media production. As editor-in-chief of The Cinematropolis, he oversees the site’s editorial direction while hosting and producing the podcast The Cinematic Schematic, where he reviews new releases, interviews filmmakers, and explores other prominent voices in entertainment alongside co-host Laron Chapman. He previously served as president of the Oklahoma Film Critics Circle (OFCC) and currently lives in Seattle, Washington with his wife and three dogs. Follow him on Letterboxd or Instagram @CMastersTalk
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