Hugh Grant filmed alternate version of Heretic’s ending

As a seasoned gamer with a penchant for psychological horror and a soft spot for British actors, I must say that Hugh Grant‘s performance in Heretic was a delightful surprise. The dual ending twist was an intriguing touch, adding another layer of suspense to an already gripping narrative.


Heretic ending spoilers follow

In Hugh Grant’s chilling film “Heretic”, they shot two distinct conclusions, showcasing alternative performances by the renowned British actor.

The movie is written and directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, with a storyline focusing on two Mormon missionaries, Sister Barnes played by Sophie Thatcher from ‘Yellowjackets’, and Sister Paxton portrayed by Chloe East from ‘The Fabelmans’. They make a visit to a man named Mr. Reed (Grant), aiming to share their faith with him.

Yet, trouble arises as Mr. Reed discloses his fixation on discovering the one authentic religion, leading him to imprison the two young ladies within his residence to assess their religious convictions.

Hugh Grant filmed alternate version of Heretic's ending

At the conclusion of the novel ‘Heretic’, Sister Paxton fatally wounds Mr. Reed by stabbing him in the neck following her revelation of his fabricated miracle and uncovering his fixation on power, which was disguised as his “one true religion”.

In search of an escape route, Paxton revisits the dungeon where Sister Barnes met her tragic end previously. Unbeknownst to her, Mr. Reed, wounded and trailing blood, secretly follows. In a shocking turn of events, he fatally stabs her in the abdomen.

Just as he was wrapping up the task at hand, Sister Barnes – surprisingly still alive – mustered her remaining strength to strike him on the head with a wooden plank studded with nails. On his final breaths, Mr. Reed managed to scoot towards Sister Paxton and request that she say a prayer for him. He passed away in her embrace.

Hugh Grant disclosed to GamesRadar+ that the ending for his character might have taken a somewhat varied path.

Hugh Grant filmed alternate version of Heretic's ending

Beck and Woods captured two distinct performances by the actor for this closing scene, each version showcasing a unique portrayal.

Grant shared that he recorded the scene from two different angles. One instance shows him moving on all fours towards her after being stabbed, and he performed this action twice.

Option A: In one instance, he continues to infuse the situation with amusement, just as he had attempted to do throughout the night. He seems to be saying, ‘Check this out, it’s fun, even dying.’ Then, in another scenario, all his defenses have crumbled and he is terrified that he might die, showing extreme fear.

“He wants some comfort and he wants her to comfort him, perhaps with a prayer.”

Hugh Grant filmed alternate version of Heretic's ending

Although we’re certain the scene featuring Mr. Reed pleading for a prayer was used in the final edit, Grant admitted he wasn’t fully aware if it had actually been included.

It seems their editing approach is unclear to me – whether they prefer one of the two performances or a blend. However, based on my understanding, they condensed the final 20 minutes significantly due to time constraints, so it might be difficult to discern which performance style they’re aiming for.

I really prefer option two – after an hour and a half of him commanding things, he suddenly seems terrified, like a startled rabbit.

Heretic is out now in UK cinemas.

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2024-11-01 17:18

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