The Heretics (2017) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Thomas kidnapped Gloria because the cult was planning to finish the ritual under the coming locust moon, and he believed she was in immediate danger from them. Taking her to the isolated cabin was his attempt to keep her hidden from the remaining cult members until sunrise, when the threat would pass. He explains he faked his suicide five years earlier specifically to protect her, so the kidnapping was a desperate act to shield her from a worse fate at the hands of the cult.

Foreshadowing: Thomas's scarred face hints at his past involvement with the cult and suggests he escaped from something violent.

• thomas
• gloria
• kidnapping
• cult
• protection
• cabin

The locust moon is the night when the cult believes the demonic ritual can be completed. The cult staged their original attack during a locust moon five years ago, and they intended to finish the ritual during the next one. This celestial event marks the specific timeframe when Abaddon can fully manifest, making it the critical deadline that drives Thomas's actions and the cult's final attempt at the cabin.

Foreshadowing: The movie opens with the cult performing their ritual under a looming locust moon, establishing its importance.

• locust moon
• ritual
• demon
• cult
• timing

During the cult's original ritual five years ago, they implanted the demon Abaddon inside Gloria's body. The cultists believed they were channeling the "Taker of Souls" into her as a vessel. The demon has been slowly growing inside her for years, and the locust moon is when it reaches full manifestation, causing her disturbing physical and mental transformation.

Foreshadowing: The opening cult ritual explicitly shows them attempting to summon and implant a demon into the young girl.

• abaddon
• demon
• vessel
• ritual
• implant
• possession

Joan killed Ruth because the police officer investigating Joan's violent behavior was getting close to discovering the truth about Gloria's disappearance. When Ruth became a witness to the investigation, Joan eliminated her to remove any obstacle to her cover story. This brutal act also severed Gloria's connection to her mother and removed someone who might interfere with Joan's plans.

Foreshadowing: Joan's threatening behavior toward a man who seemed indifferent to Gloria's disappearance foreshadows her willingness to use violence.

• joan
• ruth
• killing
• murder
• police
• witness

At the end, Gloria undergoes a complete transformation into Abaddon. After Thomas kills Gwendolyn and carries her outside, she revives but speaks in the demon's voice, declaring she will take Thomas's soul to hell. She attacks him with lethal intent as the sun rises, suggesting the demon has fully possessed her body. Her ultimate fate remains ambiguous, she appears to survive the confrontation but is no longer entirely human.

Foreshadowing: Gloria's gradual transformation, her growing wings, and speaking in Abaddon's voice throughout the night all point to this complete possession.

• gloria
• abaddon
• ending
• transformation
• possession
• dawn

Thomas killed Gwendolyn because she came to the cabin to complete the ritual and claim Abaddon for the cult. After discovering Thomas was the kidnapper, Gwendolyn knocked him out and began performing the occult ritual on Gloria. Thomas broke free and fought back, ultimately killing his sister to stop her from completing the demonic ritual and to protect Gloria from being fully consumed by Abaddon.

Foreshadowing: Thomas reveals Gwendolyn is his sadistic sister who scarred him with fire, establishing deep familial tension.

• thomas
• gwendolyn
• sister
• killing
• ritual
• cabin

The cult's ritual was designed to fully manifest Abaddon, the "Taker of Souls," by using Gloria as a vessel. They believed they had implanted the demon inside her five years ago, and the locust moon ritual would complete the transformation, allowing Abaddon to fully manifest and claim souls. The cult's members were willing to commit suicide to complete the ritual, showing the extremes they would reach.

Foreshadowing: The opening sequence shows the cult completing their initial ritual before sealing it with collective suicide.

• cult
• ritual
• abaddon
• souls
• demon
• vessel

Gloria grew wings because Abaddon was manifesting physically inside her. As the demon took control during the locust moon, her body underwent a horrific metamorphosis that included sprouting wings. This physical transformation represented the demon's hold on her becoming complete, moving beyond mental possession into full body horror.

Foreshadowing: The escalating visions and strange phenomena at the cabin hint at her impending physical changes.

• gloria
• wings
• transformation
• abaddon
• body horror

Joan's real identity is Gwendolyn, Thomas's sister. She is actually the leader of the cult that kidnapped Gloria five years ago and the one who scarred Thomas's face with fire. She manipulated Gloria's recovery by posing as her supportive partner, using the therapy group and anniversary plans as cover while waiting for the locust moon to complete the ritual.

Foreshadowing: Joan's hints at having something "special" planned for the anniversary take on darker meaning after the reveal.

• joan
• gwendolyn
• cult leader
• identity
• thomas
• sister
• twist

Gloria's transformation was caused by Abaddon growing inside her over five years and reaching maturity during the locust moon. The demon had been slowly developing within her since the original cult ritual, and the celestial event triggered its full manifestation. This caused her physical changes including wing growth, her speaking in the demon's voice, and her violent shift in behavior.

Foreshadowing: The opening ritual and Thomas's explanation about the implanted demon establish this cause-and-effect.

• gloria
• transformation
• abaddon
• growth
• demon
• moon