Heretic: A New Horror Movie Inspired by Contact by Zemeckis

Unveiling the Inspiration Behind Heretic: A Surprising Connection to Jodie Foster

Amidst all of Heretic’s promotional content that highlights themes like blueberry pie and Hugh Grant’s unsettling character, many might overlook the significant influence of Jodie Foster. For Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, the talented co-writers and directors of this thought-provoking film, Foster’s work was a pivotal point of inspiration as they crafted their narrative.

Exploring Religion Through the Lens of Film: Insights from Beck and Woods

In an interview with io9, Woods elaborated on their cinematic influences, particularly mentioning Robert Zemeckis’ Contact and Stanley Kramer’s Inherit the Wind as frameworks for a deeper dialogue about religion. He explained, “Scott and I have discussed the concept of ‘religious horror’—a genre often dominated by Catholic themes where faith becomes the backdrop for supernatural threats. While many films exploit these themes, few engage in the sophisticated, adult conversations about faith that movies like Contact and Inherit the Wind successfully manage within a popcorn movie framework.”

Delving into the Dark Themes of Heretic: A Sinister Game with a Disturbing Twist

Inspired by this complex examination of faith and existential questions, Heretic features Hugh Grant as a menacing figure who imprisons two Mormon missionaries, portrayed by Sophie Thatcher from Yellowjackets and Chloe East from The Fabelmans, in his home. He challenges them to engage in a game that not only tests their beliefs but also spirals into a dark exploration of what it means to dedicate one’s life to religion. As the tension builds, the film takes a chilling turn, revealing the sinister implications of their philosophical debate.

Behind the Scenes of Heretic: Insights from the Creative Minds

As Heretic prepares for its release this week, io9 had the opportunity to speak with Beck and Woods about their influences from Zemeckis’ film and the challenges of tackling a movie centered on religion. They also touched on their involvement in the A Quiet Place franchise, sharing their thoughts on its future. After the film’s release, be sure to return for the second part of the interview, where they will discuss the film’s ending, reveal spoilers, and delve into specific cultural references.

This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

Diving Deeper into the Themes of Contact: Personal Reflections from Scott Beck

Germain Lussier, io9: After watching your film at Fantastic Fest, I felt a surge of excitement when you mentioned Contact as a source of inspiration. The film’s exploration of the conflict between religion and science profoundly impacted me as a child, and I sensed its influence while viewing Heretic. Can you share what Contact means to you both and its connection to Heretic?

Scott Beck: Absolutely! First and foremost, Zemeckis is a master filmmaker who lures audiences into theaters with films that are rich in character development. The dynamic between Jodie Foster’s character and Matthew McConaughey’s character sparked meaningful dialogue about faith and existential questions. As a teenager attending church regularly, I found Contact to be one of the few films that encouraged me to step beyond my upbringing and consider faith and atheism in a more nuanced way.

Furthermore, I was struck by the contrasting perspective presented by Jake Busey’s character, who embodies a fundamentalist viewpoint. It resonated with my own experiences when I learned about a friend whose relative was involved in the Jonestown Massacre. The juxtaposition of someone appearing well-adjusted, yet ultimately following a charismatic leader to a tragic end, highlights how religion can intersect with personal narrative in profound, sometimes unsettling ways.

Connecting the Dots: The Intentional Echoes of Contact in Heretic

io9: How did these themes directly relate to Heretic? Was there a conscious effort to create a film reminiscent of Contact, or did the parallels emerge organically during the writing process?

Bryan Woods: It was indeed a deliberate choice. Over the years, Scott and I have consistently referenced Zemeckis’ Contact and Stanley Kramer’s Inherit the Wind as foundational texts for our discussions on religion in cinema. While there is a subgenre of “religious horror,” often with a Catholic lens that justifies supernatural threats, true discussions about faith within the context of engaging cinema are exceedingly rare. Movies like Contact and Inherit the Wind tackle these heavy topics while remaining entertaining.

We have often asked ourselves, “Can we create a film that serves as a platform for exploring our emotions, fears, and the complexities of religion?” For years, it seemed an unattainable dream due to the myriad of challenges, including our understanding of religious history and our personal beliefs. However, recent life experiences, such as the unexpected loss of my father to esophageal cancer, pushed us to confront our vulnerabilities and commit to writing this exploration of religion. Now felt like the right time to delve into the terrifying unknown of death and existence through the lens of a horror film.

Researching Complex Themes: The Challenge of Depicting Religion in Film

io9: I empathize with your experience, Bryan. It’s one thing to conceptualize a film centered on religion, but executing that vision requires an immense amount of research and perspective gathering. How did you approach this intricate task?

Beck: Our approach was multifaceted, driven by a genuine interest in all aspects of religion, cults, and related subjects. We immersed ourselves in diverse literature, including Lawrence Wright’s compelling account of Scientology in Going Clear, as well as reading works by Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins that provide an atheist perspective. We also delved into sacred texts, including The Book of Mormon, striving to understand these topics from an empathetic viewpoint, ensuring that our film could foster a nuanced conversation about faith and belief.

One of our primary concerns was addressing the fear associated with individuals who possess unwavering certainty in their beliefs. This perspective is not reflective of our personal experiences, as we continuously evolve and adapt our views based on new insights and relationships. The film’s narrative encapsulates the diverse personal journeys we’ve undertaken, mirroring the various belief systems we’ve encountered. By centering the story on three characters—Hugh Grant’s Mr. Reed, Sister Paxton, and Sister Barnes—we create a triangle that embodies different relationships with the unknown, positioning ourselves in the dialogue at the intersection of these contrasting views.

Creative Collaboration: Navigating Diverse Perspectives in Writing

io9: I agree with your perspective on uncertainty. How does this complexity influence your writing process? Do you engage in debates about differing viewpoints when crafting the narrative?

Beck: It’s an interesting consideration. Bryan and I have been friends since childhood, which means our outlooks are often aligned. Rather than engaging in heated debates, we approach discussions as opportunities to explore ideas. We remain curious about the world, seeking to understand the motivations behind people’s beliefs and actions, even when they seem contrary. For instance, contemplating how someone like Donald Trump came to hold his views is a fascinating inquiry. Our creative discussions typically revolve around our artistic visions and preferences.

Woods: Absolutely! Having a collaborator like Scott is invaluable. We engage in open dialogue, expressing our differing opinions and working collectively to reach a consensus. This process of active listening is crucial for any writer, as it fosters empathy and understanding of various perspectives. It also enriches our creative toolkit, making it feel entirely natural to address such complex themes in our work.

Reflecting on A Quiet Place: The Evolution of a Cinematic Legacy

io9: Shifting gears a bit, you both contributed to the creation of A Quiet Place. How does it feel to witness its continued success, and how involved are you in its future developments?

Beck: First and foremost, we never anticipated the lasting impact A Quiet Place would have. We initially crafted it from humble beginnings, thinking that no one would be interested in producing a silent horror film. However, attending the recent Universal Studios maze based on the film was surreal, where we saw actors embodying our characters. It’s a remarkable realization to see our work resonate with audiences.

As for its future, it’s somewhat akin to sending a child off to college. Our current focus is on projects like Heretic, which excite us because they stem from original ideas. The thrill of approaching a blank page without preconceived notions is what drives our creativity. Regardless of the outcomes, the pursuit of something innovative remains our primary motivation. We were impressed by what Michael Sarnoski brought to A Quiet Place: Day One, and we hope future installments continue to push the boundaries of what the franchise can achieve.

Woods: We envision an exciting opportunity for an international installment within the A Quiet Place universe—one that transcends language barriers. This would offer a fresh perspective and unique storytelling potential.

Heretic opens on Friday. Stay tuned for more insights from Beck and Woods in the coming week.

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