A Deadly Obsession: Jordan Peele’s HIM Hits Hard
From the moment HIM opens, you can feel Jordan Peele’s signature touch. Known for elevating horror with social commentary in Get Out, Us, Candyman, and Nope, Peele’s latest, produced through Monkeypaw Productions, dives into the dangerous intersection of obsession, fame, and athletic excellence. At its core, this is a story about ambition at any cost, but it’s wrapped in a horrific, blood-soaked thriller that constantly keeps viewers on edge.
The story follows rising-star quarterback Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers), whose life and identity revolve entirely around football. On the eve of the annual scouting Combine, Cam suffers a violent attack from an unhinged fan, leaving him with a potentially career-ending brain injury. Just when all hope seems lost, Cam is pulled into the orbit of his idol, Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans), a legendary eight-time championship quarterback. Isaiah’s offer to train Cam at his secluded compound, where he lives with his celebrity influencer wife Elsie White (Julia Fox), seems like a lifeline—but what starts as mentorship quickly spirals into psychological terror.
Performances: Wayans and Withers Command Attention
Marlon Wayans is a revelation here. Initially, his casting might make you pause, but he owns every frame. Wayans brings an unnerving combination of charisma and menace that constantly unsettles the viewer. You cannot take your eyes off him, and his unpredictable energy makes every interaction feel dangerous. This isn’t comedy—though Wayans’ timing injects moments of dark humor—but fully realized horror that grips and unnerves.
Tyriq Withers also shines as Cameron Cade. Coming off a strong year with I Know What You Did Last Summer, Withers proves he can carry a complex role in horror, blending athleticism with vulnerability. The physicality of Cam’s journey—training, trauma, and increasingly violent challenges—feels authentic, and you can almost feel the strain in every shot. Withers’ performance is both emotionally grounded and viscerally engaging, establishing him as a rising talent in the genre.
Julia Fox as Elsie White adds tension and unpredictability, making the compound feel both glamorous and sinister. Supporting performances from Tim Heidecker, Jim Jefferies, and MMA fighter Maurice Greene round out a cast that mixes comedic chops, brutal physicality, and menace, each contributing to the film’s high-stakes atmosphere.
Horror, Brutality, and Jaw-Dropping Violence
HIM’s horror is relentless and inventive. About thirty minutes in, the film pivots fully into its terrifying identity. It is bloody, brutal, and unflinching. The X-ray-like “attacks,” reminiscent of Mortal Kombat, are a shocking highlight. Some moments are almost jaw-dropping in their unexpected creativity, blending body horror and sports action in a way you haven’t seen before.
Composer Bobby Krlic crafts a tense, moody score that amplifies every unsettling moment. Coupled with a soundtrack featuring Gucci Mane and Denzel Curry, the film blends psychological terror with stylistic energy. The cinematography emphasizes physicality and proximity, often using close-ups to show fatigue, trauma, and mounting dread, making viewers feel as though they’re trapped with Cam inside Isaiah’s compound.
The film’s chapter structure adds rhythm, though some sequences feel slightly disjointed. Still, the overall experience is immersive: every brutal training exercise, every shocking attack, and every tense dialogue beats with escalating tension.
Themes: Fame, Obsession, and the Cost of Excellence
Beneath the horror and gore, HIM explores the darker side of ambition. Cameron Cade’s desire to be the greatest drives him into morally ambiguous and dangerous territory, mirroring Isaiah White’s own obsessive pursuit of perfection. The film asks: What would you sacrifice to achieve greatness? Peele examines idolatry, mentorship, and the psychology of fans and athletes alike, giving the narrative more weight than a simple horror spectacle. Some moments are metaphorical, others are chaotic, but together they form a meditation on fame, identity, and the perilous cost of obsession.
Conclusion: A Brutal, Unforgettable Ride
HIM is not a sports movie; it is a bloody, psychological, and viscerally thrilling horror experience. Marlon Wayans surprises with one of his most compelling dramatic turns, Tyriq Withers continues his breakout year with a performance that commands attention, and the supporting cast, music, and cinematography all contribute to a relentless, sometimes shocking ride. While some ideas don’t land perfectly and a few sequences feel disjointed, the film’s sheer inventiveness, emotional undercurrent, and horrifyingly creative violence make it worth experiencing multiple times.
For fans of Jordan Peele’s work, HIM delivers another distinctive, thought-provoking horror. It’s messy, bloody, and utterly compelling—a movie that will haunt your thoughts long after the credits roll.
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I’m a dedicated aficionado of all things movies, pop culture, and entertainment. With a passion for storytelling and a love for the silver screen, I’m constantly immersed in the world of cinema, exploring new releases, classics, and hidden gems alike. As a fervent advocate for the power of film to inspire, entertain, and provoke thought, I enjoy sharing my insights, reviews, and recommendations with fellow enthusiasts.