Heretic’s powerful ending left many with unresolved queries about the twisted plot, which played religious, psychological, and horror elements. Directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, the film centered around two young missionaries who find themselves ensnared in the twisted religious beliefs and control games of the sinister, Mr. Reed. Trapped in his house of horrors, they must navigate psychological and physical threats that challenge their faith and their survival instincts.
Here’s a detailed article explaining Heretic’s ending and Barnes’ fate.
Heretic’s ending and Mr. Reed’s religion explained
In the final moments, Paxton learns that Mr. Reed believes that “control” is the only religion that exists. Therefore, he tosses his victims into complicated situations, making it hard for them to come out and have ultimate control over them. His beliefs are well-demonstrated when he lets Paxton escape. However, he eventually finds her, following through the doors. To get rid of him, Paxton stabs him and again gets lost in a maze-like house, which eventually takes her to the basement. Mr. Reed reappears and stabs her brutally. Paxton prays and is saved by Barnes, who hits Reed with a nail board, leading to his demise.
In the end, she eventually escapes into the woods, and the movie ends with a butterfly landing on her hand.
Did Barnes get resurrected in Heretic?
It remains unclear if Barnes was resurrected in Heretic or was faking death all along.
Mr. Reed’s resurrection tricks did not sit well with either Paxton or Barnes. However, Barnes was unafraid to voice her opinions, criticizing Mr. Reed for deceiving them with a poorly crafted scheme. In her fury, she attacked him, but it ultimately backfired. He responded by cutting her throat with a box cutter, leading to her demise. Despite this, Barnes reappears at the end to rescue Paxton. This raises two possible scenarios: either she was briefly resurrected or she faked her death all along.
What is the meaning of Heretic’s ending?
The Heretic ending features a butterfly landing on Paxton’s hand. This final scene alludes to Barnes’ earlier wish to be reincarnated as a butterfly for the sake of her loved ones. However, the butterfly eventually disappears, leaving Barnes’ fate in the film ambiguous. The vanishing of the butterfly complicates the distinction between reality and illusion, leaving the end open for multiple interpretations.