HIM Trailer, Fun Facts & Review

HIM Synopsis:

Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers), a promising quarterback whose career is jeopardized by a brain injury. Cameron gets a second chance when his idol, legendary quarterback Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans), offers to train him at an isolated compound. However, Isaiah's mentorship soon takes a dark turn, drawing Cameron into a disorienting journey that forces him to confront the dangerous sacrifice of fame and the relentless pursuit of greatness.

Genre: Horror, Thriller, sports

Release Date: In theaters September 19th, 2025

HIM Fun Facts:

Initial Title:
The movie was initially titled "GOAT," which stands for "Greatest Of All Time," which matches very well with the football theme and the iconic character played by Marlon Wayans. However, the title was later changed to "HIM."

Unconventional Genre:
"HIM" is an unconventional genre with a mixture of horror and sports. The movie features an intense level of professional football with the added layer of chilling psychological elements.

Produced by Jordan Peele:
The movie is produced by Jordan Peele's Monkeypaw Productions. Jordan Peele, who is well-known for directing psychological horror thrillers such as "Get Out," "Us," and "Nope," suggests the movie "HIM" will have psychological elements similar to the work of Jordan Peele.

Marlon Wayans' Intense Role:
Marlon Wayans is a comedian who is well-known for his comedic roles, and for him to take on the character of legendary quarterback Isaiah White in an intense dramatic role truly showcased his range of acting talent.

Intriguing Cast:
Besides Marlon Wayans, the movie features an intriguing diverse cast of members, including rising star Tyriq Withers, as well as others joining him: Julia Fox, Tim Heidecker, and hip-hop artists Guapdad 4000 and Tierra Whack in their first feature film.

Directed by Justin Tipping:
The movie is directed by Justin Tipping; he also co-wrote the screenplay with Skip Bronkie and Zachary Akers.

Source: youtube

HIM Review:

The film HIM, produced by Jordan Peele's Monkeypaw Productions, was marketed as a mix of psychological thriller and horror centered around sports, providing an artistic and frightening exploration of the more sinister aspects of American football culture. In a few brief, visually impressive scenes, it somewhat lives up to that expectation. However, most of the time, director Justin Tipping's movie is visually appealing but has a confusing storyline that ultimately misses the mark at the crucial moment.

The movie centers around Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers), a promising quarterback whose success is cut short due to an unexplained head injury. He receives another opportunity when his hero, the legendary quarterback Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans), invites him to an isolated desert retreat for an intensive training week.

The initial suspense escalates as Isaiah's guidance quickly shifts into mind games and strange, cult-like rituals. Wayans delivers a mesmerizing, unhinged performance, a significant departure from his comedic background, yet the intentions behind his character remain unclear. The film appears uncertain about his true motivation, and therefore, the threat he embodies often feels like a bunch of erratic speeches rather than a well-defined chilling threat towards Cameron.

The film is visually impressive and stunning. Tipping showcases a unique directorial style, utilizing an unsettling X-ray vision effect during violent scenes and creating a dreamlike visual approach to blur the distinction between reality and Cameron's hallucinations caused by his head injury. The sound design is equally outstanding, featuring an immersive score that effectively enhances the feeling of unease.

However, the lack of focus on the story's depth is what ultimately weakens the film. The plot is weak, relying on a series of unrelated and often confusing short scenes that are intended to create suspense but instead leave the audience confused and uninterested.

By the time the movie reaches its peak, the already weak structure of the movie falls apart completely. What could have been a thrilling, gory ending or a surprising conclusion turns into a confusing and rushed scene that leaves many questions unanswered and side plots ignored. HIM proves to be a frustrating experience because its promise is so clear. It starts with a good idea, has strong visuals, and features a really dedicated performance from Marlon Wayans. However, without a clear storyline to support it, the film ends up as a collection of interesting concepts that fail to come together as an engaging movie.