Thank you for interviewing these creators! You can see how invested they are in their work. They did their research. This film is a masterpiece on religion and questions of religion. So many questions and discussions people are having after seeing the movie. That’s the mark of a great film, different interpretations, opening people up to considering different ideas and different questions. Encouraging people to do further research is healthy and important. Giving a blanket statement to not see this “dangerous movie” is just like the control that Mr. Reed talks about. Talking more about the safety or non-safety of missionaries is also an important topic to have conversations about.
Just saw it for the second time last night! My sister has been following Chloe East on IG for years and long suspected she was Mormon so she was stoked to see Chloe get a role in a major movie playing the perfect Mormon missionary. Thanks to John for this interview and to everyone involved in making this phenomenal movie!
I saw the movie today and I loved it! I found it filled with nuance, symbolism and metaphor. Very thought provoking and masterfully done. ( ex-Mormon here)
Super cool that they want to come to Utah for a screening. I’d like one (or some) of those tickets. I was completely shook seeing it the first time, I’d be better composed if I saw it again.
Having just listened to Heavens Helpline on Spotify: investigative journalism exposing CSA and domestic abuse in the New Zealand LDS church. This abuse was enabled and covered up by the systems and protocols of the LDS church. To hear Doug Andersons statement absolutely infuriates me. I am incandescent.
Did the movie ever address where the caged women came from? What did the creators intend for their background? Were they previously sister missionaries who got caught the same way.
Fantastic episode. I loved the film(not just because it involves Mormonism) I hope you have a panel discussion at some point(with spoilers included) if you have the time
Funnily, at a different church (I was LDS at the time) I heard a good speech pointing out that there is a difference between PREscription and DEscription in literature. This video discusses it but I like the way I heard it put in the speech. Cinema Therapy (hosted by two believing LDS) gave this movie a 9. It would be EXCELLENT if someone could talk them into doing an episode of MS. I think they could have a very respectful, open, and fun episode with you. Jonathan is a licensed therapist himself and the way he talks makes me think John Dehlin and Jonathan Decker (the JD duo) would get along well.
Yikes. They were pretty victim blamey and sexist in the one video of theirs I saw. Didn’t know they were active LDS. I was horrified that one of them was a therapist. He said he asked one of his clients “how could she not notice the red flags” of her abuser. Dude that’s a red flag right there. Gross. Had no idea their channel had gotten so big.
I don't have any religious practice or faith, but I feel the missionaries in this movie portray a heroic kind of faith and I appreciate how believers and nonbelievers are both challenged by the movie.
When Topher Grace’s character came on, I figured the writers were prophets and knew that the church would soon start encouraging men over forty to serve missions! 😜
I just taught Emerson’s “Self-Reliance to my high school juniors. I am afraid I over-emphasized to this very LDS community i teach in the following: “He who would gather immortal palms must not be hindered by the name of goodness, but must explore if it be goodness.” My super conservative town will show all demon possession and slasher movies but won’t show Heretic. I’m dying to see it!
I just went to watch the Richard Dawkings / Flowers brief talk on an obscure talk show. It is on TH-cam. Dawkins was very kind with the truth. Thank you Mormon Stories for this fabulous interview!
I'm excited to see it when it comes out in my area. The church's statement in deseret news makes only a disservice to the church - very insecure and controlling organization.
Can anyone enlighten me about the connection in the film to Heavenly Mother that John picked up on and alluded to around the 47 minute mark? I saw the film tonight and while I saw the veiled part, I'm not sure what that has to do with the unspeaking figure of HM? Thanks.
Your assessment of JSs type of “love” to start his religion is spot on. This idea put forth that all religions and cults were started with love really annoyed me. The author of Dianetics- L Ron Hubbub was a con artist sci-fi writer who said Quote- if a man really wants to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own church. So yes I guess he did start his “church” with love in mind- the love of money.
I think it was a bit about love at first, as there's lots of evidence that the Book of Mormon was heavily based on the stories that his family members shared with each other, such as his father's dream becoming Lehi's dream. However, I think the desire for power and money took control and overpowered his original intentions.
The creators can do all that research yet not research cult criteria and critically apply it. People who say things like oh we are in the A24 cult as a joke around answering that question are minimizing cults. "Anything can be a cult" thought-stopping cliche.
I truly enjoyed the film and interview, however, I believe that it would have been more effective if the missionaries and captives had been men and the main character a woman with her surviving to continue her work of decimating religion. The pain of women as a vehicle for entertainment is a long standing tradition, but you don’t allow these women to be the ones who see religion and patriarchy as evil as a natural result of intelligence and curiosity…instead it is hammered into them by yet another villainous man. Rip down the edifice. You can have a film that truly terrifies the audience that needs to be terrified and challenges the assumptions of those with enough privilege to extract themselves from scrutiny.
Thank you for interviewing these creators! You can see how invested they are in their work. They did their research. This film is a masterpiece on religion and questions of religion. So many questions and discussions people are having after seeing the movie. That’s the mark of a great film, different interpretations, opening people up to considering different ideas and different questions. Encouraging people to do further research is healthy and important. Giving a blanket statement to not see this “dangerous movie” is just like the control that Mr. Reed talks about. Talking more about the safety or non-safety of missionaries is also an important topic to have conversations about.
As a former sister missionary, now exmormon, this movie was a delight. Loved it!!!
Great movie and great interview. Thank you MSP, Scott Beck, and Bryan Woods!
Just saw it for the second time last night! My sister has been following Chloe East on IG for years and long suspected she was Mormon so she was stoked to see Chloe get a role in a major movie playing the perfect Mormon missionary. Thanks to John for this interview and to everyone involved in making this phenomenal movie!
A24🎉 obsessed also! Sister Returned missionary also. It’s a win win! What talented guys! ❤❤❤❤❤
HERETIC made me think of the many times as a missionary we put ourselves in many dangerous situations. Some people we met were not mentally stable.
The movie didn't really have any dirty laundry. The sisters were probably the most sympathetic Mormon characters I've seen in a mainstream movie.
John! You're supposed to say 'throw in Hugh Grant to this Utah screening and we got a deal.' 😁
I saw the movie today and I loved it! I found it filled with nuance, symbolism and metaphor. Very thought provoking and masterfully done. ( ex-Mormon here)
GREAT interview!! My husband and I are going to see this movie in a week, but if yall are gonna do a screening with them, we are THERE!!!!!
I feel like a sequel following a Deznat-like Mormon fundamentalist titled "Zealot" would be a worthy follow-up to Heretic.
John a screening with the writers would be awesome! Wife and I are there!
Super cool that they want to come to Utah for a screening. I’d like one (or some) of those tickets. I was completely shook seeing it the first time, I’d be better composed if I saw it again.
It is one of the best movies I've seen and this was an excellent interview ❤
So excited to see it!! I'm taking my nevermo friends and dragging them down the rabbit hole with me haha
I am so jazzed to see this movie! Awesome interview!
Having just listened to Heavens Helpline on Spotify: investigative journalism exposing CSA and domestic abuse in the New Zealand LDS church.
This abuse was enabled and covered up by the systems and protocols of the LDS church.
To hear Doug Andersons statement absolutely infuriates me.
I am incandescent.
Did the movie ever address where the caged women came from? What did the creators intend for their background?
Were they previously sister missionaries who got caught the same way.
Fantastic episode. I loved the film(not just because it involves Mormonism)
I hope you have a panel discussion at some point(with spoilers included) if you have the time
Thank you. Watching from Alaska. 🤔
Interesting interview.
Such a great movie!! Thank you!!!!❤
talented filmmakers and a brilliant movie 🎉
I love Alyssa’s analysis of the movie and the undertones that’s talk about all religions. This movie could’ve been about JW as well. Great job.
Can't wait to see this!
I'll gladly be part of the screening in Utah!!! Just let me know when & where!! 😁
I’m seeing the movie on Saturday. I can’t wait!
Very intelligent guys..well done..to be a critical thinker is not what mormon leaders like..❤
Funnily, at a different church (I was LDS at the time) I heard a good speech pointing out that there is a difference between PREscription and DEscription in literature. This video discusses it but I like the way I heard it put in the speech.
Cinema Therapy (hosted by two believing LDS) gave this movie a 9. It would be EXCELLENT if someone could talk them into doing an episode of MS. I think they could have a very respectful, open, and fun episode with you. Jonathan is a licensed therapist himself and the way he talks makes me think John Dehlin and Jonathan Decker (the JD duo) would get along well.
Yes! I NEED a Cinema Therapy episode
Omg the cross over episode I didn't know I needed! I started watching cinema therapy videos during covid and I love them
Yikes. They were pretty victim blamey and sexist in the one video of theirs I saw. Didn’t know they were active LDS.
I was horrified that one of them was a therapist. He said he asked one of his clients “how could she not notice the red flags” of her abuser.
Dude that’s a red flag right there. Gross. Had no idea their channel had gotten so big.
Definitely planning on attending the screening with as many family and friends that I can- let’s make that happen!
Dibs on tickets for the screening with the writers! They are SO good! And yes the theater reactions!!
Please do another screening in Utah!!
I’m GOING TO GO SEE IT!
Great conversation. Looking forward to seeing the film!
I don't have any religious practice or faith, but I feel the missionaries in this movie portray a heroic kind of faith and I appreciate how believers and nonbelievers are both challenged by the movie.
When Topher Grace’s character came on, I figured the writers were prophets and knew that the church would soon start encouraging men over forty to serve missions! 😜
Just saw the movie last night!
Excellent movie! Great work everyone!
I loved watching this movie last night! Fantastic work!!!
Omg so excited
Can’t wait to see this movie now
I want to see this so bad. But I'm a wimp. Is it gonna really scare me??
I just taught Emerson’s “Self-Reliance to my high school juniors. I am afraid I over-emphasized to this very LDS community i teach in the following: “He who would gather immortal palms must not be hindered by the name of goodness, but must explore if it be goodness.”
My super conservative town will show all demon possession and slasher movies but won’t show Heretic. I’m dying to see it!
Would love to attend a screening in Utah!
Great movie!!
I would love to go to the that screening
I just went to watch the Richard Dawkings / Flowers brief talk on an obscure talk show. It is on TH-cam. Dawkins was very kind with the truth. Thank you Mormon Stories for this fabulous interview!
Skavlan is not an obscure talk show.
Yeah in the clip once he realized flowers wasn’t there to debate, he felt super stupid and apologized and it was all good.
No spoilers in this interview, therefore no explanations of meaning, they said the ending is open to personal interpretation
I'm excited to see it when it comes out in my area. The church's statement in deseret news makes only a disservice to the church - very insecure and controlling organization.
I was curious why this film wasn't available in most theaters in Utah. Particularly in highly mormon areas.
Can anyone enlighten me about the connection in the film to Heavenly Mother that John picked up on and alluded to around the 47 minute mark?
I saw the film tonight and while I saw the veiled part, I'm not sure what that has to do with the unspeaking figure of HM? Thanks.
not john opening the episode by using ai to describe the careers of two very anti-ai creators 😅 so cool that you got them on the podcast, though!
Small world! We lived in the quad cities!
Bill Reel said ultimately all the characters were heretics.
Did Joseph Smith start the Mormon church from love? Was it Joseph's love of power & money & young women?
No I think it was always control. Just like the movie. He wanted control and with that comes power and women.
LDS puff daddy 😂
Your assessment of JSs type of “love” to start his religion is spot on.
This idea put forth that all religions and cults were started with love really annoyed me.
The author of Dianetics- L Ron Hubbub was a con artist sci-fi writer who said
Quote- if a man really wants to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own church. So yes I guess he did start his “church” with love in mind- the love of money.
I think it was a bit about love at first, as there's lots of evidence that the Book of Mormon was heavily based on the stories that his family members shared with each other, such as his father's dream becoming Lehi's dream. However, I think the desire for power and money took control and overpowered his original intentions.
@@Saylor666 Same dif.
The creators can do all that research yet not research cult criteria and critically apply it. People who say things like oh we are in the A24 cult as a joke around answering that question are minimizing cults. "Anything can be a cult" thought-stopping cliche.
Yes I was disappointed by that answer too.☹️
They need a lesson on Steve Hassans BITE model.
Agree.
Yeah but The Sound of Music IS the best movie of all time. 😊
Nah. It's A Wonderful Life!
@ ok. I’ll buy that.
Just fyi: as a sister missionary-we talked about sex/porn often on my mission. 😅
Great movie. Go see it so you can make up your own mind.
I truly enjoyed the film and interview, however, I believe that it would have been more effective if the missionaries and captives had been men and the main character a woman with her surviving to continue her work of decimating religion. The pain of women as a vehicle for entertainment is a long standing tradition, but you don’t allow these women to be the ones who see religion and patriarchy as evil as a natural result of intelligence and curiosity…instead it is hammered into them by yet another villainous man. Rip down the edifice. You can have a film that truly terrifies the audience that needs to be terrified and challenges the assumptions of those with enough privilege to extract themselves from scrutiny.
Oof. Dude doesn’t know anything about cults. Ok.