Hold up rom-com fans! Forget everything you thought you knew about Hugh Grant. The king of charming smiles and witty banter is diving headfirst into horror with A24's new flick Heretic . And trust us this is not your typical Hugh Grant movie. Get ready to see a side of him you have never seen before… and might not be able to unsee.
'Heretic' Plot: Missionaries Meet a Monster (Played by Hugh Grant!) in Twisted Horror Show
So what is Heretic all about? Imagine two young missionaries going door-to-door spreading the good word. In this movie it's Sister Barnes played by Sophie Thatcher from Yellowjackets and Sister Paxton played by Chloe East from The Fabelmans. They make a big mistake when they knock on the door of Mr. Reed played by none other than Hugh Grant.
Mr. Reed is not your friendly neighbor. He lures these missionaries into his house and things quickly go from awkward tea time to full-blown house of horrors. The movie becomes a terrifying cat-and-mouse game testing the faith and sanity of these young women. Think psychological thrills jump scares and Hugh Grant being genuinely creepy. Yep creepy Hugh Grant is a thing now.
Where to Watch 'Heretic': Streaming on Max and HBO Soon
Want to witness Hugh Grant's villainous turn for yourself? You are in luck! Heretic is now available for streaming. It landed on Max on Friday March 7th 2025. If you prefer traditional TV you can also catch it on HBO linear on Saturday March 8th at 8 PM ET.
To stream Heretic you will need a Max subscription. They have a few different plans. The basic plan with ads is around $10 a month. Ad-free is about $17 a month. And if you are a 4K enthusiast the Ultimate ad-free plan is around $21 a month. There is also a bundle deal if you get Hulu Disney Plus and Max together.
Critics are Freaking Out Over Hugh Grant in 'Heretic': 91% Rotten Tomatoes Score is No Joke
Critics who have seen Heretic are seriously impressed . The movie has a Certified Fresh score of 91% on Rotten Tomatoes which is amazing for a horror film . People are praising the movie's originality thought-provoking themes and especially Hugh Grant's performance.
Reviewers are saying Grant is "terrifying" and a "monster" in the role of Mr. Reed. Some are even joking you will never look at his rom-com roles the same way again. The movie is called "intellectually stimulating" even for non-religious viewers because it digs into big questions about religion faith and good versus evil. It is not just cheap scares it is horror with substance.
Hugh Grant the Horror Villain? From Rom-Com King to Master of Menace
Hugh Grant is known for being charming and funny think Love Actually Notting Hill and About a Boy. But he has been showing his villain side more lately in movies like Paddington 2 The Gentlemen and Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.
Streaming Options for 'Heretic' - Quick Guide:
- Stream Service: Max
- Max Debut Date: Friday March 7 2025
- HBO Linear Premiere: Saturday March 8 2025 8 PM ET
- Max Subscription Cost (with ads): ~$10/month
- Max Subscription Cost (ad-free): ~$17/month
- Max Subscription Cost (Ultimate Ad-Free 4K): ~$21/month
- Bundle Option: Hulu Disney Plus and Max bundle available
- Digital On-Demand: Available for purchase or rent on Prime Video Apple TV and other digital retailers since Dec 2024.
But Heretic is different. This is full-on horror villain territory. He is not just playing a bad guy he is playing someone deeply unsettling manipulative and downright scary. Some critics are even suggesting Grant might get awards recognition for this role. He already earned BAFTA Critics Choice and Golden Globe nominations in 2025 for Best Actor for his work in Heretic. It is a performance you have to see to believe.
Final Verdict: Should You Watch 'Heretic'? Absolutely Yes!
If you are a horror fan if you want to see Hugh Grant stretch his acting muscles like never before or if you just want a movie that will mess with your head in the best way possible check out Heretic. It is smart scary surprising and features a career-defining performance from Hugh Grant. Stream it on Max or HBO and prepare to be thrilled and chilled. Just maybe leave the lights on.