Scott Beck & Bryan Woods, dirs., Heretic (2024)

A 2024 A24 film starring Hugh Grant features an illustrated depiction of Dante’s Inferno and an allegorical reference to the circles of hell in the design of the central setting.

“From its claustrophobic setting to its disturbing confrontation with faith, Heretic reminded me of the spiritual odyssey Dante undertakes in the Inferno….Granted, we’re not talking about literal circles of Hell here, but the parallels—captivity, moral reckoning, the confrontation with heresy—were too compelling to ignore. For me, that connection sparked a whole new level of appreciation. It felt like watching Dante walk through each circle, except he’d traded Virgil for a deranged, would-be prophet.”    —Alex Lindley, Dark Film Theories, January 4, 2025 

“Of course, the greatest (and darkest) surprises of all come once everyone reaches the lowest point of the house. The camera’s brief nod to an illustration of Dante’s Inferno is no accident.”  —Rae Alexandra, KQED, October 31, 2024