One of 2024’s Scariest Movies is a Streaming Hit

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May 20, 2025

Scott Beck and Bryan Woods are some of the most fascinating filmmakers working in the horror space today. While I’m just as keen to concede that the A Quiet Place franchise is already running its conceit dry, there’s no denying the 2018 original, scripted by Beck and Woods, was a masterpiece. There have been few theatrical experiences quite as terrifying and tense as my silent, full house screening the weekend of release.

I’m even a big fan of 65 and demand even more dino horror. Plus, the duo’s haunt slasher, aptly titled Haunt, remains a favorite among horror fans every Halloween. Recently, however, the pair’s prestige skyrocketed with the A24 release of their passion project, Heretic, a horror movie that even nabbed star Hugh Grant a Golden Globe nomination. Now, the film is available to stream on Max, and it should come as no surprise that the film topped the charts.

Check out more about Heretic below:

Per Max: Two young missionaries are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door in this harrowing thriller.

I loved Heretic. Really, everyone here at Dread Central did. I wrote about the film shortly after release, sharing how profoundly its core message affected me. Our own Tyler Doupé even included the film in his Top 10 for the year. A man of good taste if there ever was one. Which is to say nothing of our review where we wrote, “Heretic is a surprisingly intense chamber piece with three excellent performances that help to lift the film high above its escape room-horror contemporaries.” Heretic is good stuff, and it deserves its streaming success. It’s even better as a gateway to the genre. I have several horror averse friends who were nonetheless interested in checking Heretic out.

Heretic was great, and it’s my sincere hope we get more horror movies like it. Intimate chamber pieces anchored by strong performances, genuine tension, and a deeply resonant message are nothing to scoff at.

With the film recently taking off on the Max charts, check out some choice audience reactions below:

What do you think? Any plans to catch Heretic on Max? Whether it’s a first watch or a rewatch, let me know what you believe about Beck and Woods’ critical hit over on Twitter @Chadiscollins. I’m a huge fan of the film, so I’m always down to chat about it. As long as I can leave when the time is right, that is…

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