What do chain fast food restaurants, board games, and world religions have in common? In this episode of The Cinematic Schematic, we dig into that question in our review of the recent religion-powered horror starring Hugh Grant, Heretic. Does the film bring thoughtful thrills, or is it just a cheap parlor trick that uses religion as a gimmick? Tune in to find out. Meet The Guests Returning from deadCenter, Kevin Ely and U.S. Air Force Chaplain Trevor Winfrey join the show to discuss these weighty topics of religion and belief and have healthy conversations about tough topics without threatening blueberry pie. But not before they talk with hosts Caleb Masters and Laron Chapman about their favorite fast food selections. Left to Right: Trevor Winfrey, Kevin Ely, Laron Chapman, and Caleb Masters Ice-Breaker Question Time Stamps: 5:50 You are locked in a snowy cabin in a debate with a fictional screen character. Two-part question– * What fictional screen character would you most prefer to be stuck talking to? * What fictional screen character would you least prefer to be stuck talking to? Spoiler-Free Review Time Stamps: 13:27 In our spoiler-free review, we discuss: * Overall thoughts * Lead performances from Hugh Grant as Mr. Reed, Sophie Thatcher as Sister Barnes, Chloe East as Sister Paxton * How effectively the film explores horror through the lens of faith * Letter grade verdicts * Alternate media recommendations Spoiler-Filled Analysis Time Stamps: 40:03 Things get extra deep in the spoiler-focused conversation when things cross into theological and philosophical. In this spoilers conversation, we talk about: * How the film uses existential and spiritual anxiety to create cerebral chills over cheap shocks * Heretic‘s perspective on toxic atheism vs unexamined faith Special Guests Kevin Ely Senior Features Programmer at deadCenter Follow Kevin on Instagram @KevinEly Trevor Winfrey US Air Force Chaplain, Captain About Heretic According to IMDB, Heretic is described as: Two young religious women are drawn into a game of cat-and-mouse in the house of a strange man. Follow The Cinematic Schematic Podcast Hear all this and more of our past and future episodes by&n...