Heretic cast and character guide: Who plays whom in the horror film?

Scott Beck and Bryan Woods' horror directorial Heretic was released last year, on 8th November 2024.

Upon its release, Heretic received favorable responses from critics and audiences alike. It went on to receive a rating of 7.0/10 at IMDb and a whopping 91% at Rotten Tomatoes.

Heretic has a brilliant cast of actors, namely Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, Chloe East, and Topher Grace.

Heretic follows the plot of a sister duo, Barnes and Paxton, who are missionaries at the Mormon church. They approach people to teach them about their religion.

However, upon a chance encounter with an apparently benign man named Mr. Reed, they approach to strike up a conversation. However, little do they know what dangers unfold for the sisters.

The synopsis of the film, as per Rotten Tomatoes, is as follows:

Two young missionaries are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse.

However, let us explore more details about the cast and the characters that they portray in Heretic.

Heretic cast and character guide: Who plays whom in the horror film?

1) Topher Grace as Elder Kennedy

Actor Topher Grace comes in the role of Elder Kennedy in Heretic. He is a senior with a prominent rank in the church where the sisters, Paxton and Barnes, go.

Topher Grace is known for his work in noteworthy films and TV series, including the popular sitcom That '70s Show (1998-2005), Mona Lisa Smile (2003), Spider-Man 3 (2007), Interstellar (2014), BlacKkKlansman (2018), Black Mirror (2019), and many more.

2) Chloe East as Sister Paxton

In Heretic, Chloe East is seen in the role of Sister Paxton. She has a shy, warm, and delicate demeanor. That also enables her to showcase an amiable attitude towards Mr. Reed.

Chloe East is well known for her work in film and TV roles, including True Blood (2013), Ice (2016-2017), The Wolf of Snow Hollow (2020), and Steven Spielberg's The Fabelmans (2022), amongst many others.

3) Sophie Thatcher as Sister Barnes

Actor Sophie Thatcher is essaying the role of Sister Barnes in Heretic. She found her solace in the church after experiencing past trauma. As opposed to Paxton, Barnes is more self-assured and does not give in to Mr. Reed's charm, as she has her doubts about him (and she was right).

Sophie Thatcher is noted for her work in films and TV series, including Yellowjackets (2021-present), The Book of Boba Fett (2022), The Boogeyman (2023), Companion (2025), etc.

4) Hugh Grant as Mr. Reed

Finally and most importantly, the legendary actor Hugh Grant, who comes in with his prime aura as Mr. Reed in Heretic.

Mr. Reed possesses a persona of a scholarly, enigmatic, and fascinating old man. But he slowly unmasks himself as being inimical to the sister duo and beyond.

For Hugh Grant's portrayal of Mr. Reed in Heretic, he has received several nominations, including BAFTA, Critics' Choice, and the Golden Globes.

Hugh Grant is recognized for his work in films and series, most notably including Maurice (1987), Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994), Notting Hill (1999), and his recent works, including Paddington 2 (2017), The Undoing (2021), and Wonka (2023), to name a few.