The latest from writer-directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods (A Quiet Place, 65), Heretic is intricate, intellectual, and eerie. Beyond the religious debate and blueberry pie lies Hugh Grant in one of the most surprising roles of his career. "What really sets Heretic apart is Grant, the absolute monster of a man he plays, and just how awfully familiar that man is," Mashable's reviewer writes. You may never look at his Notting Hill performance the same again after watching.
The A24 religious horror gem is finally available to stream, so you can catch Grant take on the role of creepy Mr. Reed at home. Here's everything you need to know.
What is Heretic about?
Loner Mr. Reed (Grant) is visited by two Mormon missionaries (Yellowjackets' Sophie Thatcher and The Fabelmans' Chloe East) in A24's Heretic. The girls are hoping to teach him about the Church of Latter Day Saints, but get more than they bargained for when he traps them in his house. To exit, they face a loaded choice: the door labeled "belief" or "disbelief."
Get a glimpse of Hugh Grant channeling his inner horror villain in the official trailer below:
Is Heretic worth watching?
"Here, you'll witness Grant both as you've never seen him before (downright terrifying!) and exactly as you've seen him before (charming with a side of self-deprecation). The combination is downright bone-chilling, with Grant's performance providing nonstop terror even as Heretic's theological frights remain fairly surface level," Mashable's Belen Edwards writes in her review. For Grant alone, Heretic is worth watching. But don't just take our word for it — the A24 horror film also currently holds a 91 percent critic rating and 76 percent audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, earning it the "certified fresh" label.
Read our full review of Heretic.
How to watch Heretic at home
Heretic made its at-home debut via digital on-demand retailers like Prime Video and Apple TV on Dec. 10 — about a month after its theatrical release. You can purchase it for your digital collection or rent it for 30 days. Just note that with rentals, you'll only have 48 hours to finish the film once you begin.
Here are some quick links to buy or rent Heretic online:
Prime Video — $5.99 to rent, $19.99 to buy
Apple TV — $5.99 to rent, $19.99 to buy
Fandango at Home (Vudu) — $5.99 to rent, $19.99 to buy
YouTube — $4.99+ to rent, $19.99 to buy
Google Play — $4.99+ to rent, $19.99 to buy
Is Heretic streaming?
The A24 horror film is set to make its streaming debut on Max on March 7. Max subscriptions start at $9.99 per month, but there are a few different ways to save some money on your plan. We've rounded up the best Max streaming deals for you below.
The best Max streaming deals
Best for most people: Save 16% on Max with ads annual subscription
The most straightforward way to watch Heretic on Max would be to sign up for a single month of the service with ads, then cancel before you're charged for another. If you choose an annual subscription instead, however, you can save up to 16%. Rather than $9.99 per month, it'll cost you about $8.33 per month when you pay upfront for the year.
Best Max deal with no ads: Save 16% on a Max Ad-Free annual subscription
If you prefer an ad-free viewing experience, you can also save 16% on a yearly Max ad-free plan. There are two tiers to choose from: Max Ad-Free and Max Ultimate Ad-Free. The basic ad-free tier costs $16.99 per month or $169.99 per year (about $14.17 per month), while the Ultimate tier costs either $20.99 per month or $209.99 per year (about $17.50 per month). Both tiers offer an ad-free viewing experience, but the Ultimate tier takes things a step further with 4K Ultra HD video quality and Dolby Atmos.
Best Max deal for Cricket customers: Free Max with ads for customers on the $60/month unlimited plan
As of March 2025, the only way to get a Max subscription for free is through Cricket Wireless. If you're on Cricket's $60 per month unlimited plan, you'll get a free Max with ads subscription, no questions asked. That's a $99.99 per year value. Once you're signed up for the plan, just head over to the Max app, choose Cricket as your provider, and enter your credentials to log in. Check out the terms and conditions on Cricket's website to learn more.
Best Max deal for students: Save 50% on Max with ads
College students can sign up for an entire year of Max with ads for just $4.99 per month rather than the usual $9.99. That's 50% in savings. All you have to do is verify your student status through UNiDAYS, and you'll receive a unique discount code that will drop the price.
Best bundle deal: Get Max, Disney+, and Hulu for up to 38% off
It may not be the cheapest way to get Max, but you can definitely get the most bang for your buck by bundling your Max subscription with Hulu and Disney+. You can get all three services with ads for only $16.99 per month (reg. $25.97) or without ads for $29.99 per month (reg. $48.97). That's up to 38% in savings.
