Heretic has an eerily similar ending to Sophie Thatcher's $82 million 2023 horror film

Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Heretic

Sophie Thatcher is quickly becoming a prominent name in the horror genre, bringing intensity and charisma to roles that showcase his performance in suspenseful situations, which was fully displayed in his recent film Heretic. Heretic seemed poised to offer a new horror experience. However, fans who saw her previous performance in The bogeyman (2023) may experience a distinct feeling of déjà vu, as the two films share more than just their genre. Both films, created by the same production team, feature climactic endings with almost identical elements – making Heretic feel less original than many expected.

The fact that HereticThe intense ending of is so similar to The bogeymanThe climactic scenes raised questions among fans and critics about the production team's creativity. Audiences expect unique experiences with each film, especially when the star and creators return to the same genre with back-to-back projects. Unfortunately, Hereticreliance on the same plot mechanics as The bogeyman it weakens its intended impact, especially since both films conceptually share their most intense scenes almost beat for beat.

Heretic and The Boogeyman have endings where Sophie Thatcher fights the villain in a basement

Both films feature a climactic basement battle

Heretic and The bogeyman may seem different in premise, but the uncanny similarities in the way the two films end are hard to ignore. In both films, Sophie Thatcher's character finds herself in an intense battle against a terrifying villain, and notably, these scenes take place in the basement. While the basement setting has long been a staple of the horror genre - a dark, enclosed space perfect for inducing fear - it's rare to see two films with the same actor using the exact same setting for a climactic showdown. For the fans who watch Heretic after The bogeymanthis setup feels overtly repetitive.

In The bogeymanThatcher's character Sadie goes to the basement to a final confrontation with the supernatural monster that terrorizes your family. The basement setting amplifies the feeling of danger and isolation, making it a classic horror setting. When Heretic also places Thatcher's character in a basement for her climactic scene, the recycled scenery and setting begins to detract from the uniqueness of the experience.

Rather than serving as a sinister and unique setting, Hereticbasement it becomes a reminder of the previous film and distracts from the suspense of the new story. Given that the same team produced both films, the choice to repeat such a critical setup seems distinctly unimaginative. While The bogeyman was created by Stephen King as a short story, Heretic There was no excuse for copying a previous project. This decision taken HereticThe ending of seems somewhat underwhelming.

The Heretic and Bogeyman endings give the main character the help of a “dead” ally

A poor trope used twice

In addition to the basement setting, tThe endings of both films feature supernatural assistance from a figure thought to be dead. In HereticThatcher's character is somehow revived, saving her sister Paxton, the film's other protagonist, during the climactic battle just before she dies. This mysterious resurrection gives Paxton an advantage in his fight against the villain, adding an element of suspense as well as an emotional connection that makes the fight more intense. For fans, this moment should come as a thrilling surprise, but its impact is blunted by the fact that a very similar storyline was used in The bogeyman.

In The bogeymanThatcher's character receives help from the spirit of her late mother during her final confrontation with the monster. This scene provided a memorable and poignant emotional resonance, as Sadie's mother had passed away, but her presence remained to give Sadie the strength she needed. The lighter flame, lit by the mother's presence, added a sense of closure and comfort amidst the terror.

This scene also served as a climactic and cathartic moment for Sadie's character, symbolizing the powerful and lasting impact of maternal love. This emotional device added depth to the horror, mixing fear with the bittersweet nature of personal loss. However, when a similar device is used again in Hereticthis detracts from the originality and weight of the scene, as viewers may feel like they are watching a repeat of the same emotional beat.

Heretic's The Boogeyman Similarities Hurt the Film

Déjà Vu strongly attacks the heretic

Given that Heretic and The bogeyman were made by the same production team, it's puzzling why these films weren't more differentiated in their final acts. Horror thrives on originality and the element of surprise, with each twist designed to take the audience deeper into the suspense, especially with the bizarre plans of Hugh Grant's Mr. Reed. By revisiting the same plot structure – right down to the supernatural assistance and the battle in the basement – ​​the team behind Heretic it made the film feel like it was treading old paths rather than offering something new and engaging.

Fans invest in horror for the thrill of the unknown, and reusing the same climactic elements risks diminishing the fear factor. The setting, which could have been a unique atmospheric element, appears borrowed from Thatcher's previous role. Instead of increasing the suspense, the repeated elements create a feeling of predictability that goes against the horror experience. Although both films are great, Heretic should not have used the same scenario as the previous film.