The Heretics 2017

Five years later: Gloria's slow recovery

Five years after her kidnapping, Gloria is living with her mother Ruth and slowly coming to terms with what happened. She attends a therapy group at a local church to work through her trauma, often accompanied by her partner, Joan. The memory of the cult ritual still shadows her daily life.

Therapy and companionship

Gloria participates in the therapy group at the local church and begins to share fragments of her experience. Her relationship with Joan deepens as they plan a future together. The group helps her feel slightly safer, even as memories linger beneath the surface.

Anniversary plan

Joan tells Gloria she has something special planned for their anniversary the next day, hinting at a moment of respite from the trauma. Gloria vacillates between hope and fear, trying to hold onto normalcy. The promise underscores the fragile balance of their relationship.

Kidnapping to a remote cabin

Gloria is abducted by Thomas, a man with a scarred face, and taken to a remote cabin in the countryside. The isolation heightens the sense of dread as the world seems to shrink around her. Thomas reveals little at first, but the plan behind the kidnapping becomes increasingly clear.

Joan's frantic search and violence

Joan launches an increasingly frenetic search for Gloria and confronts a man who seems indifferent to the kidnapping. The confrontations demonstrate how far she is willing to go to uncover the truth. The crisis escalates and the danger to Gloria deepens.

Investigation and killings

A police officer investigating Joan's violent behavior suspects she is involved in Gloria's kidnapping. In a brutal turn, Joan kills the officer and the witness Ruth, removing obstacles to her cover story. The double murder solidifies the danger surrounding Gloria’s whereabouts.

Thomas's reveal

Thomas tells Gloria that he was one of the cultists who had kidnapped her five years earlier, and he explains his motive to protect her. He admits he feigned suicide to cover the cult’s tracks and that the remaining cultists still plan to finish the ritual under the coming locust moon. He confirms that the cult believed Abaddon was implanted in Gloria's body.

Locust moon and first signs of metamorphosis

Under the light of the locust moon, Gloria becomes seriously ill and begs Thomas to take her to a hospital. Both Gloria and Thomas experience visions of Abaddon, while ominous signs suggest a malevolent force is present in the cabin. The strain of the night pushes Gloria toward a terrifying transformation.

Gloria's wings and the killer instinct

As the metamorphosis progresses, Gloria grows wings and begins to speak in the voice of Abaddon. Thomas contemplates killing her to prevent the full transformation, torn between protecting her and fearing what she may become. The line between victim and vessel blurs as fear takes hold.

Twist: Joan is the cult leader

Gloria learns that Joan is actually the leader of the cult who kidnapped her. The revelation reframes the entire arc of her trauma and sets up the final clashes. Thomas explains that Joan's true identity is his sadistic sister Gwendolyn, who scarred him with fire.

Gwendolyn's ritual attempt

Gwendolyn arrives at the cabin, having learned from a witness that Gloria's kidnapper had a scarred face and deducing it was Thomas. She knocks out Thomas, taunts Gloria's increasingly degenerating form, and begins to perform an occult ritual. The escalating confrontation heightens the sense that time is running out for Gloria.