For anyone that has been waiting to watch Heretic without paying a rental or purchasing fee, you're in luck! The religious horror film from A24 will begin streaming on Max this March, specifically Friday, March 7. After making its streaming debut, those with the linear HBO channel can also catch it on TV with its debut on Saturday, March 8 at 8 p.m. ET.
That means it's a good time to buy a blueberry pie-scented candle (A24 even sells them!) and ready yourself for a thrilling night of twists and turns featuring Hugh Grant's creepiest performance yet. Yellowjackets actress Sophie Thatcher also stars in the movie, so it's perfect timing for those looking for something to accompany the upcoming third season, which debuts this Friday, February 14.
Heretic received significant praise for its depth and psychological torment. Main characters Sister Barnes (Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East) are Mormon missionaries tasked with visiting a potential convert, the menacing Mr. Reed (Grant). But it soon becomes apparent that Mr. Reed has ulterior motives for inviting the young missionaries into his home. And, yes, if you're curious, the real church did have something to say about this film.
Written and directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods (A Quiet Place), Heretic forces character and audience alike to reassess their relationship with philosophy and religion, creating a riveting cat-and-mouse chiller that is as illuminating as it is tense and scary.
Premiering last September at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Heretic would go on to earn significant acclaim, particularly for Grant's performance. He received nominations at the Critics' Choice Awards, BAFTAs, and the Golden Globes. We even included him on our list of 2024 horror performances we felt were Oscar-worthy! By the end of its box office run, Heretic reportedly made more than $57.3 million worldwide.
Max is the new streaming home for A24 films as per an output deal between the distributor and Warner Bros. Discovery made back in 2023, so expect any upcoming A24 films (like Opus) to eventually make their way to the platform as well. Currently, other popular A24 horror movies like The Lighthouse, I Saw the TV Glow, MaXXXine, X, and The Killing of the Sacred Deer are also streaming on the platform.
Heretic is out now to rent or buy, and starts streaming on Max on Friday, March 7. The linear debut on HBO airs Saturday, March 8 at 8:00 p.m. ET.