Heretic Poster Plagiarism Claim: What We Know

Heretic Poster Plagiarism Claim: the fast, clear version

I’ll walk you through what’s been claimed about the Heretic poster plagiarism controversy, what’s confirmed, what’s not, and what to do next if you’re an artist or a studio.

90-second summary

• A Moroccan digital artist, Achraf Baznani, has publicly accused the marketing poster for the horror film Heretic of copying (or closely imitating) their artwork.
• Coverage of the claim points to side-by-side comparisons shared online and highlights similarities in the central figure, mood, and color palette.
• Most public information is allegation + comparison. A legal decision would require deeper facts (who made the poster, what references they used, timelines, contracts, and more).
• To assess movie poster plagiarism, focus on specific, unique elements, not just the overall “vibe.”
• If you’re an artist or studio, the safest path is documentation first, then calm outreach, then formal steps (licensing, takedown/DMCA, legal counsel) if needed.

What we know (from the sources in this article)

• A PR-style news post states that Achraf Baznani accused the Heretic poster of plagiarism and describes alleged similarities (including a demonic figure and red eyes).
• A Baznani-titled page/post exists referencing “Heretic Poster and Plagiarism.”
• Separate reviews of the film mention “plagiarism” as a topic inside the movie. This is different from the poster dispute, but it can confuse readers.

What is unconfirmed (or not shown in the provided sources)

• Whether the poster creators had access to Baznani’s specific artwork.
• Whether the design was licensed, commissioned, or built from stock/3D/AI elements with proper rights.
• Whether any studio, distributor, or agency has issued a public statement responding to the accusation.
• Whether any legal claim has been filed (lawsuit, formal demand, settlement).

What is the Heretic poster plagiarism controversy about?

The controversy is a public claim: Achraf Baznani says the official poster (film marketing “key art”) for the horror film Heretic looks too close to their existing artwork. In plain terms, the claim is that the poster did not just take inspiration—it may have crossed into copying.

Simple analogy: If two drawings share rare, specific details—same pose, same strange symbol, same lighting choices—that can be more concerning than a shared general idea. “Both drew a dragon” is common; “both drew the same dragon with the same missing tooth and scar” is more specific.

Who is Achraf Baznani, and what work is being compared?

Achraf Baznani is described in coverage as a Moroccan digital artist. Reporting and the artist’s own posts (as referenced in the sources) point readers to side-by-side comparisons between Baznani’s work and the Heretic poster.

Important note: People often want a yes/no answer. Public comparisons can show similarity, but they typically do not show the behind-the-scenes design process (briefs, moodboards, drafts, stock licenses, and contracts).

What similarities are being cited (and how to evaluate them responsibly)?

Many poster disputes lean on “it looks the same.” That can be a starting point, but it’s not a full assessment. Use a repeatable rubric to separate general genre overlap from distinctive matching choices.

A 5-factor similarity rubric (score 0–2 each)

Score each factor: 0 = not similar, 1 = somewhat similar, 2 = strongly similar. Higher totals suggest higher risk and a stronger need for clarification.

Factor	What to look for	Why it matters
1) Composition	Same subject placement, pose, crop, framing, negative space	Composition can function like a “fingerprint” in visual art.
2) Distinctive elements	Rare motifs, unique props, specific facial details, unusual symbols	Shared uncommon details can matter more than shared genre conventions.
3) Lighting + color palette	Same lighting direction, same accent colors (like red eyes), same contrast	Color alone can be common, but matched lighting choices add weight.
4) Mood + style choices	Same texture, grain, brush style, surreal effects, overall “look”	Style is widely shared, so treat it as supporting evidence.
5) Unexplained matches	Multiple matching decisions that are hard to explain as coincidence	A cluster of matches often matters more than any single match.

One concrete example: how to capture useful evidence

If you’re researching how to document evidence for an art plagiarism claim, save clean, dated files. Avoid relying on memory or a single screenshot without context.

1. Save the poster image from the official source (studio account, distributor site, ticketing page, etc.).
2. Save the artist’s original post(s) showing the earlier work and date.
3. Take screenshots showing URLs and timestamps (not just the image).
4. Write a short note: where you found it, when you found it, and what looks similar.

Is it plagiarism or inspiration? The plain-language legal and ethical basics

People often use “plagiarism” as a general word for copying. In law, disputes usually focus on copyright infringement, which concerns protected expression rather than a general idea or mood.

Two ideas to keep straight

• Inspiration is common. Horror posters often share themes like dark faces, red accents, eerie lighting, and high-contrast shadows.
• Copying protected expression is the issue. This is about a specific, original arrangement of elements, especially distinctive ones.

You’ll also see the phrase substantial similarity. As a general concept, it asks whether an ordinary viewer would find the protected parts too close. This varies by country and court, and this article is not legal advice.

Trade-off to name clearly

Trade-off: Moving fast on marketing can raise risk. Tight deadlines can lead to weaker documentation and sloppier reference use.

What should an artist do next if they think their artwork was copied?

If you think your work was copied, aim for a calm, step-by-step process. Prioritize facts and documentation before public escalation.

Artist action checklist (30–60 minutes)

1. Capture evidence: downloads, screenshots with dates, links, and side-by-sides.
2. Gather proof of creation: source files (PSD/Procreate), layered exports, drafts, timestamps, invoices, emails.
3. Write a clean timeline: when you created the work, when it was posted, when the poster appeared.
4. Decide your goal: credit, licensing fee, removal, or a public correction.
5. Reach out privately first: contact the studio/distributor/agency with a neutral request for clarification.
6. Consider a takedown path: if hosted online, you may be able to use a platform process or a DMCA takedown (U.S. context).
7. Talk to an IP lawyer: especially before making legal threats or filing formal notices.

Template: artist email (neutral, evidence-first)

Subject: Question about Heretic poster artwork similarity

Hi [Name/Team],

I’m reaching out because the official Heretic poster appears very similar to my artwork titled “[Title]” (created on [date], posted on [platform/link]).

To make this easy to review, here are:
1) My original post link(s): [links]
2) The poster source link(s): [links]
3) A side-by-side comparison: [link or attachment]

Can you share who created the poster and whether my work was used as a reference or source?

I’d like to resolve this professionally. My preferred outcome is [credit / licensing discussion / removal].

Thank you,
[Your name]
[Portfolio link]

What should studios and agencies do to prevent movie poster plagiarism?

If you’re a marketer, creative director, or agency, the job is not just “make it look good.” It is also “ship key art we can defend,” including documentation and rights clearance.

Rights clearance checklist for film key art

• Provenance log: keep a list of every source used (stock IDs, photo shoots, 3D assets, AI tools, textures, brushes).
• Reference rules: moodboards are fine, but avoid paint-over copying of living artists without permission.
• AI disclosure: if AI-assisted assets were used, document prompts, model/tool, inputs, and licenses/terms.
• Contract clarity: require original work (or clearly licensed components) and include workable indemnity language.
• Similarity review: do a final check for “too-close” matches before release.
• Escalation plan: define who answers claims and what the first response looks like (PR + legal + creative).

Template: studio/agency first response (no admissions, no attacks)

We’re aware of the concerns raised about the Heretic poster artwork.

We take artists’ rights seriously and are reviewing the materials and production history for the poster, including source assets and references.

We will follow up once we have more information. In the meantime, we’ve reached out directly to the artist to understand their concerns and discuss next steps.

Timeline and update log

Timeline (high-level)

• Dec 24, 2024 (reported): A PR-style post describes Achraf Baznani accusing the Heretic poster of plagiarism and mentions side-by-side comparisons.
• After the claim: Discussion spreads online, often mixing two topics: (1) the poster allegation and (2) the film’s own dialogue about “plagiarism” as a theme.

Update log

• Last updated: Feb 22, 2026. This explainer summarizes the claim and provides an evidence rubric and checklists. It does not declare a legal outcome.

FAQ

Is the Heretic poster plagiarism claim proven?

Not from public comparisons alone. Side-by-sides can raise serious questions, but “proven” usually means a clear admission, a settlement, or a court finding.

Does “similar” automatically mean copyright infringement in movie posters?

No. Many posters share common horror design ideas. The key question is whether protected, original expression (especially distinctive elements and arrangement) was copied.

What is a DMCA notice?

A DMCA notice is a U.S.-based takedown request used by many online platforms. Read the platform’s official instructions and consider legal help if the stakes are high.

Can a studio fix this without a lawsuit?

Often, yes. Common outcomes include credit, paid licensing, a redesigned poster, removal from certain channels, or a private settlement.

So what? Why this matters beyond one poster

Poster art is not “just marketing.” For artists, it can be their livelihood; for studios, it is legal and reputation risk. Handling claims with evidence and respect is often the fastest way to keep the story from escalating.

Try this (10-minute next step)

1. If you’re a reader: use the 5-factor rubric on the side-by-side images before you share a hot take.
2. If you’re an artist: build a one-page folder with (a) your original files, (b) links, (c) a dated timeline.
3. If you’re a studio/agency: start a “provenance log” template today, before the next key art sprint.