A24's Heretic to premiere on Max: Here's what you should know before watching the psychological horror

Heretic, the latest from A24, is a psychological thriller that also qualifies as a horror movie. It streams on Max exclusively from March 7, 2025, the platform has confirmed to SoapCentral. HBO will air it the next day, March 8, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET.

The plot of Heretic focuses on two unlucky missionaries played by Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East, and a mysterious middle-aged man, Mr. Reed, played by Hugh Grant. The missionaries knock on Mr. Reed's door, and that leads them to trouble. He pulls them into a scary game about belief, and their challenge is to make it out alive.

Heretic is written and directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, who earlier scripted A Quiet Place. The film has people talking because it brings up questions about religion, and discussing if it is more than just a horror film.

We have the scoop for you before you watch Heretic!

Heretic is possibly Hugh Grant’s most sinister role yet

Hugh Grant has been excelling in villainous roles lately, and his performance in Heretic could be one of his most terrifying yet.

According to Impression Blend's YouTube commentary, Grant's portrayal of Mr. Reed is "iconic" because he combines his usual charm with a scary hidden side, which makes the character disturbing. Mr. Reed isn't a typical horror villain who scares people. He is clever, talks well, and is good at tricking others into thinking his way, much like Jigsaw in the Saw movies.

This is different from the roles we usually see Hugh Grant play. Mr Reed is a man who uses his charm to control people, making them do what he wants, The film is more than about just staying alive. It is about a man controlling others, having strong beliefs, and playing with people's minds. Hugh Grant's portrayal of Mr. Reed makes him stand out among recent horror villains. His character isn't simple or predictable, and many critics have observed that Grant's performance turns Heretic into something more than a regular horror thriller. The critical consensus on Rotten Tomatoes states:

Hugh Grant has infectious fun playing against type in Heretic, a religious horror that preaches the gospel of cerebral chills over cheap shocks.

Heretic is full of religious themes

The film delves into discussions about faith, power, and belief. The story looks closely at religious rules and the power games in religious groups, especially through Mr. Reed's debates with the young missionaries. The writers took inspiration from well-known non-believers like Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins.

The film does not make fun of religion. It brings up serious issues like Joseph Smith's polygamy and how religious beliefs might originate from old stories. However, Heretic does not force opinions on you. The idea behind the film seems to be to make you think and talk about the issues instead. It does not make the missionaries look bad, but shows them as smart and capable people in a weird situation.

Viewers have reacted in different ways to the film. Some find Heretic to be a clever take on belief, while others think it is an unfair shot at their faith. The focus of the movie seems to be letting the audience understand what it is really trying to say, without being too complicated about it.