The rise of 'Heathens' feels like one of those perfect storm moments in pop culture. First, its association with 'Suicide Squad' gave it a massive platform right out the gate—superhero movies always bring hype, and the soundtrack was heavily promoted. But beyond that, the song’s brooding, almost sinister vibe tapped into the darker aesthetic the movie was going for, making it feel like more than just background noise.
Then there’s Twenty One Pilots’ fanbase, which is feral in the best way. They’re the kind of fans who dissect every lyric, share every live performance, and turn songs into anthems. 'Heathens' had that cryptic, emotional depth Tyler Joseph does so well, so it became this communal thing—like a secret handshake for outsiders. Plus, the beat? Unreal. It’s slow but hits hard, and that 'all my friends are heathens' hook is stupidly catchy. The song just stuck, you know? It wasn’t trying to be a pop hit, which ironically made it one.