Mormons Criticize “Sacrilegious” Heretic and Advocate for The Chosen Series

Heretic has made its digital debut this week, garnering acclaim from viewers, but it has not been well received by the Mormon community. Instead, many Mormons recommend the series The Chosen as a more favorable depiction of their beliefs.

Overview of Heretic

This film from A24 revolves around two young missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, played by Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East. Their mission takes them to the remote home of Mr. Reed, portrayed by Hugh Grant, who is on their list of potential converts. However, as the conversation delves into the tenets of their faith, Sister Barnes and Paxton quickly discover that Mr. Reed harbors sinister intentions.

Heretic presents provocative discussions on contemporary issues, including sexual health, pornography, and contraception, raising pertinent questions about the role of religion in today’s society.

Criticism from the Mormon Church

These elements have led to significant backlash from both practicing Mormons and the Church itself. A report from Deseret News, a publication associated with the LDS Church, describes Heretic as part of a troubling trend within Hollywood that trivializes the sacred beliefs of followers.

Doug Andersen, a church spokesman, voiced concerns in a statement emphasizing the safety of missionaries. He noted, “This narrative portrays graphically violent treatment of women and undermines the contributions of community volunteers, which contradicts our objective to cultivate a culture of safety and respect.”

Andersen further highlighted the importance of honoring the dedication of the thousands of Mormon missionaries currently serving worldwide.

The Chosen as an Alternative

In light of Heretic’s controversial themes, many believers are turning their attention to The Chosen. As the promotional campaign for Heretic unfolded, a particularly unsettling advertisement appeared at the Salt Lake City airport, had the characters featured in a missing persons style, which Deseret News called troubling.

new missing posters ads for A24’s ‘HERETIC’ starring sophie thatcher and chloe east pic.twitter.com/xq9bpL36L8

— sophie thatcher thinker 💭 (@soapythinker) October 3, 2024

The initial scenes of the missionaries discussing sexual topics were labeled as inappropriate, with critics highlighting moments deemed sacrilegious, such as a group of secular women exposing Sister Paxton’s “magic underwear,” a reference to the sacred temple garments of the faith. Deseret News critiqued the film for its inability to provide meaningful insights into religion, reducing its commentary to mere humor.

In contrast, the article pointed out that certain creators have successfully represented religion in a respectful manner, citing The Chosen as a notable example. This series, which chronicles the life of Jesus Christ and has garnered widespread acclaim, has reportedly earned nearly $60 million globally prior to its fourth season, further solidifying its popularity among viewers.

Reception among Ex-Mormon Audiences

Despite the backlash from the church, Heretic has received commendations from various audiences worldwide, achieving impressive scores of 91% from critics and 77% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes. Those who have distanced themselves from the church, like Lexi Seals-Johnson, founder of Lost & Found Club in Salt Lake City, spoke out in favor of the film, noting its realistic portrayal of Mormon missionaries.

Seals-Johnson shared with The Guardian, “I know many women who served missions, including my wife, who found the initial scenes remarkably relatable.”

Whitney Rose, a cast member of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, echoed these sentiments, stating that the film accurately reflects the experience of young missionaries thrust into a complex world. She emphasized the challenges faced by these youths, who must navigate their faith while building connections within new communities.

Heretic is currently available for rent or purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime Video. Viewers are also encouraged to explore upcoming films and the best cinematic offerings of 2024.

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