The Heretics

My spoiler free review for The Bloody Asylum that can be found at WordPress, Mr Geeky blog: The Heretics is a really impressive award winning Canadian film directed by Chad Archibald. Who also wrote the story, and whose previous films include The Drownsman, Ejecta, and Bite. The subject of cults has been depicted in horror films countless times before. The Heretics does bring something different to this horror sub-genre, among other things by touching on psychological aspects. The film has twists, turns and surprises that keeps the film engaging and makes it feel different to many other films of its kind. There is some quite unexpected depth to the film, and this is due to the performances of the cast. The standouts being the three leads, Nini Kiri who portrays the lead character (star of the TV series The Handmaid's Tale), Joja Cadence, and Ry Barrett. The sparing use of practical and CGI effects never overwhelms the story or characters as they tend to do in many horror films nowadays. The film-makers create a really effective atmosphere of dread, and at times mixing reality and nightmares so as to put the viewer in the confused mind set of the characters. Some sequences staying in the mind long after the film has ended. There is a really effective use of sound, cinematography, and editing. However what would have enhanced the atmosphere of the film would have been a more gritty grindhouse feel and look. Unfortunately at times the film-makers also fall into the trap of using loud music and sounds to generate scares, which threatens the effective atmosphere they built up by being far more subtle in their approach. This does not harm the film as a whole. It is unpredictable, right up until the very end, with engaging characters that have enough depth so the audience cares about their fate. The Heretics is one of the better horror films I have seen in the last few years, and is definitely one film all horror fans who want something more than just a jump scare should see.

The movie feels very much like a low budget movie. There is limited scenery, a very limited cast and the effects are simple. While i did not hate the acting, i also did not consider it noteworthy much. There was a little bit (translates to quite a bit...) overacting on the "evil" person .. and very little character development or character altogether on the other people. In fact, none of the characters is fleshed out at all .. . So after watching the movie, they are all quite forgettable. The story itself is alright i guess. In terms of complexity i rank it slightly below a "X-files" episode with the monster of the week. For me, it was OK. I kept (half) watching till the end ... was it scary? Not at all.. Was it gross? No, not that either. Oh and about the special effects. Pretty much a bald-cap and a bucket full of slime is what was used 80% of the movie it feels.

That's what the protagonist gets? His life on Earth was a living hell and sucked balls and then after supposedly saving the day, he is going to be tortured for eternity?? What a complete screw job. What's the message here? Evil conquerors all even when the plan is foiled? Whoever wrote this is either a hopeless pessimist or a hopeful satanist

"The Heretics" is a complex, layered thriller with ebbs and flows both suspenseful and chilling. The duality of to storyline seeming to mirror in pace and path collide into a familiar and terryifing union. One that puts together the puzzle pieces of this emotionally charged, part drama - all nightmare tale. The acting and character development is a polished collection of characters that draw you into their situation completely. Aside from a few minor flaws with ansilary parts, "The Heretics" is an intense character story in horror. The cast seems well seasoned, and this movie shows Archibald's vast forward movement into becoming one of the genre's notable great storytellers. The special effects offer quality practical moments of visceral and psychological delights, with gory, violent and bloody scenes that work on a Hollywood level. But lest you forget while watching "The Heretics", this is a indie horror that looks and feels like a indie film. It isn't start to finish splatter fest , nor is it constant body horror, but the movie unfolds so nicely that from story, to character development, to those so good moments of horror, "The Heretics" is well worth the watch.

Fantastic low budget movie! Went into it blind -it was on a watch list that I don't remember adding it to. Was not disappointed. Cults, supernatural, demons, treachery, unrequited love, amazing practical effects. What more do you want? Well done!!!

Most Canadian horror movies are extremely predictable and are done in the genre of a typical teen scream of the US, no matter how the script is authored. I recently watched American Hangman (ironically a Canadian thriller / horror movie) with great anticipation and was disappointed by the predictable, moronic stupidity of the whole thing. This one is, I'll admit, pretty darn predictable in typical fashion however, it was done in a way that was fun to watch. I liken it to Tusk although it was absolutely nothing like it. Tusk was absurdly stupid but oddly, one cannot look away and it sticks in your craw afterward. You want to watch it again..and again. Just in case you missed something even though you know how it ends. If you like horror movies and you enjoy twists and turns, albeit rather extremely predictable yet the whole thing will stick with you afterward, definitely check this one out. The story line is one that has been done before, albeit to different conclusions but once past that aspect it was directed and produced in such a way that it's worth seeing.

I wasnt really sure if I wanted to watch this after reading the discription but it doesnt do it justice. So many times I thought I knew what was happening only to find I was wrong...I would question a characters behaviours for them to make so much more sense later on! Not the best movie of the year some parts a little far fetched but all in all it held my interest to the end. If your into thrillers, horor, sy fy, or paranormal give if a try