‘Him’: Jordan Peele-Produced Mysterious Football Horror Movie, Explained

After Get Out, Us, Candyman, and Nope, Jordan Peele has become a tour de force of modern horror, and when he puts his name on something, it’s instantly worth checking out. Such seems to be the case again with Him, which is directed by Justin Tipping and produced by Peele with his Monkeypaw Productions company.

The trailer for the film has just been revealed and lifts the veil on what’s ahead with the football-themed horror pic, and it looks to be a bloody thriller indeed.

So what is there to know about Him at this time? Here’s a look.

When does Him premiere?

The film hits theaters on September 19.

Who stars in Him?

The film’s cast is led by Tyriq Withers, who stars as Cameron Cade, a rising star quarterback who hopes to achieve true greatness and glory and sets off for an exclusive training camp with his idol to achieve that. Marlon Wayans plays the legendary, but aging idol Isaiah White, who takes Cameron under his wing… for better or for worse. The film also stars Julia Fox as Elsie, Isaiah’s wife. Jim Jeffries, Tim Heidecker, Naomi Grossman, GiGi Emeta, and more also star.

What happens in the trailer for Him?

The first trailer for the film, released on August 6 and embedded above, reveals Cameron’s long-held adoration of Isaiah, as well as his deeply held desire to become the next best thing in the game. As he begins his training regimen, though, he realizes something isn’t quite right once one of his fellow players is brutally punished for Cameron’s mistakes.

“In this game, violence is rewarded. So learn to enjoy it,” Isaiah instructs.

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The mindgames only worsen from there, as we see flashes of even more violence, masked weirdos, and other twisted techniques in play, including possible drugging and even torture.

Isaiah warns him, “I’m not gonna just give it to you. You’re gonna have to take it from me.” The final shot of the trailer, with Cameron covered in blood, surrounded by cheerleaders, and raising his arms in apparent triumph, is foreboding as well.

What else is there to know about Him?

The official description for the film reads, “Former college wide-receiver Tyriq Withers (Atlanta, I Know What You Did Last Summer) plays Cameron Cade, a rising-star quarterback who has devoted his life, and identity, to football. On the eve of professional football’s annual scouting Combine, Cam is attacked by an unhinged fan and suffers a potentially career-ending brain trauma. Just when all seems lost, Cam receives a lifeline when his hero, Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans), a legendary eight-time Championship quarterback and cultural megastar, offers to train Cam at Isaiah’s isolated compound that he shares with his celebrity influencer wife, Elsie White (Julia Fox; Uncut Gems, No Sudden Move). But as Cam’s training accelerates, Isaiah’s charisma begins to curdle into something darker, sending his protégé down a disorienting rabbit hole that may cost him more than he ever bargained for.”

The script was written by Zack Akers and Skip Bronkie, alongside Tipping, and was part of the “Black List” of promising screenplays. Peele produces alongside Ian Cooper, Win Rosenfeld, Jamal M. Watson, David Kern, and Kate Oh.

Him, In Theaters, September 19