Our take
Heretic follows two missionaries trapped by a manipulative homeowner who tests their beliefs. The R rating covers disturbing bloody violence and language. Dialogue includes theological debates, sex-on-camera discussion, fire-starting talk, and kill threats. Tense and talky rather than nonstop action, but the third act turns brutal. Older teens and adults only
Uplifting themes
Perseverance under pressure appears briefly amid horror Missionaries try to protect each other, though outcomes are grim
AMU ages are independent editorial opinions. They are not legal classifications and are not issued by the Classification Board, the MPAA, or any other official classification body. Official labels on this site, such as PG or R, come from those bodies or our data sources, not from AMU. AMU guides are not a substitute for official classification. Cuts and details can differ by version. Use them as one input only. You decide what is right for your family.
Story (may spoil tone)
Two young missionaries are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed, becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse.
Details
Violence Trap violence, bloodshed references, and lethal cat-and-mouse turns
Trap violence, bloodshed references, and lethal cat-and-mouse turns
Language Damn and hell during stress; moderate overall for an R thriller
Damn and hell during stress; moderate overall for an R thriller
Sex / nudity Explicit intercourse and filming references in theological arguments
Explicit intercourse and filming references in theological arguments
Drugs / alcohol Caffeine-and-alcohol banter; smoke-through-pipe talk in a trap
Caffeine-and-alcohol banter; smoke-through-pipe talk in a trap
Frightening Locked-house dread and mind games dominate before violence erupts
Locked-house dread and mind games dominate before violence erupts
Self-harm / suicide No self-harm found in this title
No self-harm found in this title
Child peril / abuse No child peril found in this title
No child peril found in this title
Bullying / discrimination No bullying found in this title
No bullying found in this title
Gore / death / weapons Dead-body talk and bloody aftermath; gore spikes late
Dead-body talk and bloody aftermath; gore spikes late
Dangerous behaviour Fire-starting and door-to-door risk without safety framing
Fire-starting and door-to-door risk without safety framing
Eating disorders / body image No eating found in this title
No eating found in this title
Mental health No mental health found in this title
No mental health found in this title
Gambling No gambling found in this title
No gambling found in this title
Grief / bereavement Father's death mentioned in backstory conversation
Father's death mentioned in backstory conversation
Talk after watching
- Mr. Reed traps the elders with puzzles about belief. How do people respond when faith is tested?
- Horror uses conversation before jumps. Does slow tension feel scarier than fast gore?
- Missionary work meets skepticism here. What boundaries matter when sharing beliefs?