Mormon Church Criticizes Hugh Grant’s New Movie “Heretic” for Misrepresentation

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) has criticized the upcoming horror film ‘Heretic’ starring Hugh Grant, claiming that it misrepresents the religion.

The film, produced by A24 and slated for release in November, revolves around two young Mormon missionaries, portrayed by Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East, who encounter a sinister character played by Grant. Thatcher and East, both previous members of the Church, no longer practice the faith.

The Utah-based church has expressed concerns about Hollywood’s tendency to rely on stereotypes and inaccuracies, which they believe can lead to harmful misconceptions about their faith.

LDS acknowledges that while some portrayals of their religion have been fair and accurate, they feel that sensationalized depictions of missionaries and core beliefs are irresponsible and in poor taste.

In a statement, the church expressed that misrepresentation of the safety and conduct of its missionaries is detrimental to their mission of spreading the gospel.

They did not refer to a specific movie or show, but their statement is speculated to be aimed at Grant’s upcoming film. The church noted its understanding of the media’s fascination with the LDS Church but regretted that portrayals often rely on sensationalism and inaccuracies. These portrayals, they argue, do not fairly and fully reflect the lives of their members or the sacred beliefs they hold dear.

The institution encouraged the public to seek reliable information about its teachings and members. They urged people to listen to the voices and authentic experiences of individuals and families who find joy and satisfaction in living by the Church’s principles. According to the statement, the true story of their faith is best seen in the countless lives of those who strive daily to follow Jesus Christ.

Despite the Church’s concerns, Thatcher insisted on avoiding clichés about the religion in her portrayal. She told ELLE Magazine that she and her co-star endeavored to make the portrayals real and grounded, rather than treating them as a joke.

LDS has had a history with Hollywood portrayals. In 2013, the drama ‘The Saratov Approach’ depicted the true story of two LDS missionaries held captive in Russia. The miniseries ‘Under the Banner of Heaven,’ starring Andrew Garfield, explored the complexities of faith through a detective’s investigation into a Utah murder.

In other recent news, ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,’ a controversial reality show, has sparked backlash from some LDS church members for its depiction of the religion. The series, which premieres in September, follows a group of glamorous influencer moms whose faith and friendships are challenged by a couple-swapping scandal.

Social media accounts of the cast have been bombarded with negative comments since Hulu announced the show on July 29. Critics argue that the show portrays LDS in a negative light.