As a curious observer of human behavior, I find it captivating to witness such diverse perspectives on religion, particularly within the context of Mormonism, as portrayed by Rose and her experiences. It’s fascinating how one faith can inspire comedy, drama, and horror, all while reflecting the complexities of its adherents’ lives.
A remarkable and unconventional occurrence in modern-day horror cinema unfolded last Saturday evening, as two redheads named Whitney and film production company A24 staged competing screenings at a multiplex situated on the outskirts of Salt Lake City. The movie they showcased was titled “Heretic“, directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods. This chilling tale centers around two missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sister Barnes (played by Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East), who unexpectedly visit a suburban Colorado home on a gloomy afternoon with the intention of baptizing the homeowner, Mr. Reed (portrayed by Hugh Grant), into their faith.
Inside a rudimentary chapel, securely locked, Mr. Reed educates the missionaries about Radiohead’s contentious copyright policies, Monopoly and its less-known precursor The Landlord’s Game, and deities with avian heads. He eventually persuades the young women to find their exit from his increasingly terrifying abode through a door labeled “DISBELIEF” or another marked “BELIEF.” (It should be noted that neither option offers an easy escape.)
Within this bustling cinema complex, a long queue for the movie screenings was teeming with dedicated fans of horror movies or Utah-based reality shows. I conversed with some individuals here who had received invitations to this event from A24 itself, among them members of the Lost & Found Club – an organization focused on fostering connections for people who have left the LDS church during their youth years. However, the majority of folks in the standby line were hoping against hope that they’d gain entry to the screening room, which promised a heavenly experience of watching an A24 film introduced by someone called Whitney (accompanied with a complimentary small popcorn and drink).
The main theme of the event revolved around the contentious, opposing doors, which have been a significant focus in the movie’s promotions. Attendees with a DISBELIEF ticket were part of the screening organized by Whitney Rose, a former church member and cast member of “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City”. Those with a BELIEF ticket, on the other hand, attended a screening led by Whitney Leavitt, a practicing Mormon and cast member of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives”.
As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I’ve been keeping an eye on the upcoming release of “Heretic” on November 8. This film is set on the very same day, which has raised some concerns within the LDS community. In response, Doug Anderson, a church spokesperson, spoke to the Mormon-run newspaper, Deseret News, expressing their discomfort. According to Anderson, “Heretic” depicts graphically violent acts towards women, people of faith, and those who serve their communities voluntarily. The narrative in this film, which seems to promote violence against women based on their faith or undermines the value of community service, conflicts with the safety and well-being that our communities strive for.
I hear what the church is saying about violence against women — Heretic has a scene involving an elderly woman’s arthritic fingers and a blueberry pie that is, while slightly less depraved than Call Me by Your Name’s sequence with Timmy Chalamet and a peach, far more psychically scarring than the hand scene in A24’s Talk to Me. For what it’s worth, I didn’t find Heretic anti-Mormon. If anything, the film was overwhelmingly anti-smug British guy.
Rose, who shared with me later that she was embodying her “internal missionary, Sister Rose,” donned a gray tweed ensemble consisting of a short skirt paired with a long jacket, complemented by a sheer turtleneck; she accessorized with a “Sword of the Spirit” necklace from her jewelry line, Prism, and Louboutin heels. Leavitt, being a week postpartum, chose a dress inspired by 1980s Jessica McClintock designs from Asos. Across the room, her charming one-week-old son, Billy Gene, and her partner, Conner Leavitt, who was at home with her, looked on admiringly.
At each theater, a woman was assigned to present the movie. Just prior, Rose extended an invitation to my companion and me for a round of Casamigos tequila to help ease her anxiety. (She didn’t opt for Lisa Barlow’s Vida brand, and I prefer drama over heartburn.) Before we took our shots, Rose hollered for Leavitt and anyone else who wanted to join us for a toast. Leavitt declined but did converse with his Mormon Wives co-star, Jennifer Affleck, and her husband, Zac, who had arrived at the alternate theater serving as a greenroom. They were engrossed in admiring their new baby. Later on, I learned that most of Leavitt’s colleagues had been attending Sabrina Carpenter’s concert instead of her on that particular night.
In a shared interview prior to the movie screening, I engaged both Whitneys regarding their feelings towards the film and the surge of content focusing on Utah women over the past couple of years. Seated side by side in plush armchairs, they expressed a mix of Belief and Skepticism.
Initially, I’d like to ask about the circumstances that led you to be part of this event. The screening, which was discussed online, especially on Reddit, has gained quite the mystery, making it an event people can’t afford to miss.
Whitney Leavitt: Did it really?
Indeed, folks were at a loss about acquiring tickets and seemed to be unsuccessful when they called the cinema. What transpired that made everything work out smoothly?
Whitney Rose: Recently, a friend contacted me, expressing, “Would it be possible for one of your contacts to contact your representative? It seems that someone at A24 admires Real Housewives of Salt Lake City and Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. The situation became quite exciting as I had mentioned the screening and used the A24 tag, leading to an overwhelming response with people from all directions inquiring about tickets through my DMs, text messages, and emails.
currently, Utah is experiencing a surge of interest on a national level, not just as a state, but more so as an idea. There seems to be an A24-like intrigue surrounding this phenomenon. One may wonder why there’s such captivation towards the women in Utah?
Leavitt: It’s not just our religion that shapes culture in Utah; there are plenty of other unique aspects as well. For instance, we have our distinctive soda drinks and a local dance move known as the “Utah Curl.” You might not be familiar with it.
Wait, I don’t know the Utah Curl.
Leavitt: The Utah Curl: It’s a specific curl that Utah girlies have.
I really like all your co-stars a great deal, but I can’t stand the Utah Curl hairstyle. It seems you need to comb your hair all the way through.
Leavitt: Or get a bob!
It took me about four episodes into the show before I could tell your Mormon Wives castmates apart from each other, with the exception of Whitney. They all seemed to have the same hairstyle, but I must emphasize that they were all undeniably beautiful women.
Leavitt: It was quite fashionable, and I believe people were intrigued by our shared appearance, lifestyle, dietary habits, and drinking preferences. However, the religious aspect also caught their attention. Moreover, I’m glad that both of our shows offer a unique perspective on Mormonism. After all, globally, many people have preconceived notions about Mormons, but these shows reveal another side.
Rose: I fully agree with Whitney’s perspective. When you learn about Mormonism, it might seem peculiar due to practices like polygamy and multiple wives from its past. However, when I was immersed in it, especially having grown up here in Utah, it seemed entirely normal. For us who grew up in the Utah County area, often referred to as a “bubble”, everyone is similar – we think alike, behave similarly, and have the same social circles. Even the mothers tend to drive the same vehicles. As the TV show Mormon Wives illustrates, they even have similar hairstyles, except for Whitney, of course.
Leavitt: The Utah Curl.
Rose: Absolutely, it’s wonderful to see Whitney leading the way with her bob hairstyle. It’s intriguing when a large group follows one religion or culture, yet there’s a multitude of distinct variations and subcultures within that community. Many people fail to appreciate this diversity.
Heretic has gotten a lot of pushback from the Mormon church. What is it so afraid of?
Leavitt: Perhaps they’re concerned that the filmmakers might present misleading speculation or incorrect teachings. However, upon watching, I found no doctrinal references to the church within it. Granted, Mormon missionaries are depicted, but I admired how Hugh Grant’s character presented a broader view of religion in general.
Rose: It seems there’s apprehension about topics that aren’t often discussed or are considered off-limits within the church, whether they are deeply spiritual or things that were accurate in the past but may not align with contemporary revelation. People are worried about what might be included and what potential implications it could have for their congregation members.
From my perspective, discussing this topic is less challenging since I no longer belong to the group in question. I’ve officially withdrawn my membership, and it’s all about exposure now. It’s a matter of facing the uncertain, of not having control over one’s story. It feels similar to being on reality TV: We attend without knowing how we’ll be portrayed in the final edit.
It’s fascinating to see you two here together like this, talking about the same faith from such different perspectives. I consider RHSLC to be the wackiest comedy on TV. And some of the relationship plotlines on Mormon Wives are the most depressing television I’ve ever seen. It was often hard for me to watch. And now, I’m about to see a whole different take on the Mormon genre within a horror film.
The writers and directors are exceptionally skilled at creating horror and suspense that leaves you questioning reality. It’s a captivating game of guessing what’s true and what isn’t, making me wonder if I truly believe or am merely following instructions. I found myself utterly engrossed while watching it last night on my laptop, unable to take my eyes off the screen.
As I watch the movie unfold, I find myself leaning forward, almost as if I’m raising my paws to my chest height, eagerly anticipating what happens next. It’s like being on the edge of my seat, even when I’m comfortably lying in bed.
I was going, “Oh my God, I relate to this!”
You didn’t serve a mission, correct?
Rose: No, I didn’t, but I channeled my inner missionary with my look tonight.
At this gathering, there seems to be a division between ‘saints’ and ‘sinners,’ a theme also present in Mormon Wives. For those raised as Mormons in Utah County, did you ever feel constrained by this black-and-white choice of being solely a saint or a sinner? Organized religion often provides little flexibility for engaging in equal parts of one thing and another, leaning more towards 60 percent commitment to one aspect and only 40 percent to the other.
To me, growing up in Utah was challenging due to the strong influence of religion on the culture. If you weren’t dressed according to community standards or spotted at Starbucks without the required garments, people would know. Even something as simple as having a glass of wine with dinner could be noticed. Back then, I felt I couldn’t exist in a gray zone. However, things have changed significantly over the past 17 years. Our conversation here, despite our contrasting views, shows how Utah has evolved. Nowadays, one can interpret religion based on their personal relationship with God rather than strictly adhering to the institutional rules.
You’ve delved into this topic extensively on your program, and I’m confident you’re familiar with the associated internet humor. I had a conversation with a linguist from Brigham Young University regarding your “hilling” experience and the “fill/feel” blend in the speech of young women in Utah, and I must say, I’ve never received such a strong reaction to anything I’ve written before.
Rose: That experience was the highlight of my time as a Housewife for me. Although I’m no longer part of the LDS church, I have strong roots in Mormon history, as many of my ancestors were pioneers who traveled across the United States to reach this land. I struggle with expressing myself well.
I felt incredibly proud when Professor Emeritus David Ellingson Eddington from BYU spoke with you for that article. It made me feel truly recognized and validated. It’s amazing to know that someone appreciates my local dialect and speech patterns.
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2024-11-05 00:54