WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Heretic.
Monopoly's remarkable monologue in the psychological horror thriller A24 Heretic offers the best subtle commentary on the film's overarching message. Since its theatrical release on November 8, 2024, Heretic opened to strong criticism, resulting in a Rotten Tomatoes score of 90% and audience score of 76%. Heretic stars Hugh Grant as Mr. Reed, a strange but intelligent man who traps two religious women, Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East), in a game of deep theological contemplation. It is one of several high-profile A24 films releasing in 2024.
Heretic it grossed an estimated $44.5 million during its theatrical run against a production budget of $10 million and is currently available to rent or purchase through digital platforms. Although it has not yet been released on streaming services, it is will likely be released on HBO/MAX at some point in the future based on its exclusive deal with A24. Psychological horror is deeply involved in religious and moral contemplations, all orchestrated in a cat and mouse game of decisions and outcomes in the name of a seemingly absent God. Reed chooses to play God with the sisters Barnes and Paxton, who are tested in remarkable ways throughout the film.
Heretic's Monopoly Monologue, Explained
It is one of the most convincing examples of Mr. Reed's philosophy
Mr. Reed's Monopoly monologue in Heretic is one of the most convincing and strongest conceptual examples of his religious ideology in the entire film. Like some kind of demented professor, Reed presents several versions of the Monopoly board game to emphasize how, although they may seem different, they are fundamentally the same. He argues that the world's major religions can also be interpreted this way through this example. For example, he compares the original Monopoly game to Judaism and other later versions to Christianity and Islam.
Mr. Reed's central point in his Monopoly monologue rests on the idea that all religions, regardless of how they are represented and even marketed in a capitalist sense, are just masks for systems of control.
Mr. Reed's lecture on the Monopoly analogy sparks such a lively discussion between him and the two missionary sisters that viewers almost forget the tension of the real-life imprisonment situation at play. Mr. Reed's central point in his Monopoly monologue rests on the idea that all religions, regardless of how they are represented and even marketed in a capitalist sense, are just masks for systems of control. Through variations of apparent faith, the different versions of the “game” are seen as a choice between several different options. Mr. Reed argues that there really is no choice, since there is no true difference between them, as they all originate from the same purpose of control.
The Heretic's Monopoly Argument Has a Giant Problem
Reed exposes his point of view within the system he criticizes
Despite Mr. Reed's often convincing speech, using his extensive Monopoly analogy to explain the world's major religions, there is a major flaw in his summary of these ideas. Reed's argument that control systems are the only true religion, using Monopoly and its offshoots as visual markers of this, doesn't address the fact that the man bought multiple copies of the board game to make his point. This essentially proves that he is being controlled by the same capitalist system he lamentswhich in a way undermines his great thesis about religions and systems of control in the world.
This is not only hypocritical on Mr. Reed's part, but also a greater testament to the understanding that it is truly impossible to see outside a system of control when you are inside it, or to seek a lesser sense of control within a larger structure. . Reed attempts to control his theological dilemma by imprisoning the two Sisters in order to defend a point of view about the larger world from which he is ironically isolating his “subjects.” Although Mr. Reed's Monolopy monologue is distortedly colorful and easy to understand, the flaw in its design is undoubtedly the fact that it is an entirely theoretical point. He is also confined to the control system he identifies and tries to replicate in his home microcosm..
The heretic's monopoly scene reveals Mr. Reed's entire worldview
Reed thinks he can control others through ideological masking and persuasion
The Monopoly monologue comes at a great moment in the film, when the confusion and tension over Mr. Reed's deception of the two sisters is at its height. At this point in the film, some questions needed to be answered, and Mr. Reed's Monopoly monologue certainly delivered, while also engaging the audience in an intriguing discussion. Essentially, Mr. Reed's argument with the Monopoly analogy is that it is about controlling others, taking other ideologies and concepts and ultimately twisting them to suit your desires. Just like the “inventor” of Monopoly taking the owner’s game idea and selling it as his own, Mr. Reed tries to bring this idea home to Heretic.