Him (2025) by Justin Tipping: The Price of Greatness

Short Summary: A Faustian Pact on the Gridiron

Him centers on Cameron Cade, a young college quarterback on the verge of his NFL dreams. After a career-threatening injury, his hero and an eight-time championship quarterback, Isaiah White, offers to train him at a remote and isolated compound. As Cameron's training intensifies and his body miraculously heals, he discovers that Isaiah's methods are more than just unorthodox—they are sinister and may demand a sacrifice far greater than he ever imagined.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt20990442/

Link Review: https://www.indiewire.com/news/trailers/him-trailer-tyriq-withers-jordan-peele-1235143551/

About movie: https://www.instagram.com/himmovie

Theatrical Release: Coming to Theaters This Fall

The film is scheduled to be released theatrically by Universal Pictures on September 19, 2025, in the United States.

Detailed Summary: A Disorienting Rabbit Hole

• A Hero's Offer, a Darker Reality: A promising college quarterback, Cameron, is on the fast track to the NFL until a brutal attack leaves him with a career-ending injury. His idol, the legendary Isaiah White, offers him a lifeline by inviting him to train at his private compound.

• The Protégé and the Mentor: Initially, Cameron is in awe of his idol, but as he delves deeper into the training and the isolated world of the compound, Isaiah's charisma begins to curdle into something darker and more manipulative.

• The Cost of Success: The film explores the idea that "greatness demands sacrifice," and as Cameron's reality starts to bend, he is forced to confront what he is truly willing to give up to achieve his dream.

• A Psychological Horror: The movie is less about jump scares and more about the creeping sense of unease and psychological tension. The compound is a pristine, but unsettling place, where Cameron's perception of reality is systematically broken down.

Director's Vision: Sports Meets Supernatural

• Justin Tipping, known for his critically acclaimed indie film Kicks, takes a bold and unique approach to the horror genre by blending it with a sports drama.

• Tipping's vision, along with producer Jordan Peele, is to create a new kind of "supernatural sports parable" that is both a horror film and a provocative commentary on the pressures of professional athletics.

• His direction uses surreal visuals and psychological tension to create a haunting look at what is asked of young athletes on the altar of greatness, making the film feel both familiar and deeply unsettling.

Themes: The Dark Side of Ambition

• Identity and Performance: The film explores how an athlete's identity is tied to their performance, and what happens when that identity is threatened or exploited.

• The Pursuit of Excellence: Him examines the lengths people will go to achieve success, and the fine line between ambition and a dangerous, all-consuming obsession.

• Fame and Idolatry: The movie delves into the complex relationship between a fan and their idol, and the sinister side of celebrity worship.

• Cult of Personality: Isaiah White's compound and his influence over Cameron have a cult-like quality, highlighting the dangers of surrendering your identity and free will to a charismatic but manipulative figure.

Key Success Factors: A Genre-Bending Collaboration

• Jordan Peele's Monkeypaw Productions: The film is produced by Jordan Peele's acclaimed production company, known for its unique blend of horror and social commentary. This immediately sets a high bar for the film's quality and its thought-provoking nature.

• Marlon Wayans' Dramatic Performance: Marlon Wayans, primarily known for his comedic roles, delivers an "electrifying dramatic performance" that is a "complete departure from his comedic roots," adding a layer of intrigue and weight to the film.

• Acclaimed Screenplay: The movie is based on a script that was featured on the Black List of best unproduced screenplays, a testament to the strength of its story and its unique premise.

• Genre Fusion: The film's successful combination of sports drama, psychological thriller, and horror is a key factor in its appeal, offering a fresh and original cinematic experience.

Critics' Reception: Tense, Twisted, and Promising

Based on the official trailers and early buzz, critics and horror publications are highly anticipating the film. The general consensus is that "Him" is a tense, twisted psychological horror that will deliver a chilling experience.

• A "Twisted Football Nightmare": Bloody Disgusting called the film a "twisted football nightmare," praising how the trailer subverts expectations of a traditional sports film. The review notes that the film, produced by Jordan Peele, looks to "carry themes of ‘be careful what you wish for,’ ‘never meet your heroes,’ and ‘greatness comes at a cost.'"

• A "Bloody, Gory Delight": Nerdist described the trailer as "bloodier than most of the horror movies we've seen in full this year" and was intrigued by the film's premise, which blends sports with psychological terror.

• A New Side of Marlon Wayans: The film is also generating significant buzz for Marlon Wayans' performance. BET stated that Wayans has "never looked scarier" and that his role is a "complete departure from his comedic roots," portraying a character who is a "maniacal quarterback" and a master manipulator.

Summary: Early critical and fan reception for "Him" is overwhelmingly positive, with reviewers praising the film's tense, bloody, and unpredictable trailer. The film is being lauded for its genre-bending premise, which combines sports drama with psychological horror, and for the promise of a powerful and terrifying performance from Marlon Wayans.

Reviews: The Pursuit of Greatness at Any Cost

Reviews and official synopses detail the chilling plot, which explores the dark side of ambition and hero worship in the world of professional football.

• The Protagonist: The story centers on Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers), a talented young quarterback poised for greatness. On the eve of a professional scouting combine, his career is jeopardized after a fan-induced attack causes a serious brain injury.

• A "Hero's" Offer: Just when all hope seems lost, Cam is approached by his hero, the legendary and enigmatic quarterback Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans), who offers to train him at his isolated compound. Isaiah, a "cultural megastar" and eight-time champion, lives with his celebrity influencer wife, Elsie (Julia Fox).

• Training Turns Terrifying: As the training intensifies, Isaiah's mentorship takes a sinister turn. The film is described as a "blood-chilling journey into the inner sanctum of fame, idolatry and the pursuit of excellence at any cost." The trailer shows terrifying exercises, bizarre rituals, and a descent into a psychological rabbit hole where Cam is forced to confront the true cost of greatness.

• A Story of Sacrifice: The core of the film is about what a person is willing to sacrifice to become the "greatest of all time." It is a critique of the violent and often brutal culture of sports, exploring how the desire for excellence can become a terrifying and dangerous obsession.

Summary: "Him" is a psychological horror film about Cameron Cade, a promising young quarterback whose career is threatened by a severe injury. He accepts an offer to train with his idol, the legendary Isaiah White, only to discover that the training is a horrifying journey into the inner sanctum of fame and madness, where the pursuit of excellence demands a terrifying and bloody sacrifice.

Release date on streaming: TBA

A streaming release date has not been announced for Him.

Why to watch this movie: A Mind Game on the Field

• For the Thrills: If you're a fan of psychological horror that gets under your skin, this movie promises to deliver. It's a film that will keep you guessing and questioning what is real.

• For a Fresh Take on a Genre: The fusion of sports drama and horror is a unique concept that makes this a must-see for anyone looking for something original and different.

• For a Powerful Social Commentary: Beyond the horror, the film offers a piercing critique of the pressures placed on athletes and the darker side of fame and ambition.

• For Marlon Wayans' Performance: This is a chance to see a talented comedian take on a serious, dramatic role, which is sure to be one of the most talked-about performances of the year.

Movie Trend: The Socially Conscious Horror Film

The film follows the trend of horror films that use the genre as a vehicle for social commentary. Much like other films from Monkeypaw Productions, Him takes a familiar setting and infuses it with a terrifying subtext about identity, celebrity, and the exploitation of young athletes.

Social Trend: The Dehumanization of the Athlete

The film directly addresses the social trend of the dehumanization of athletes, particularly in the high-stakes world of professional sports. It critiques the way athletes are often treated as commodities, and how the pressure to perform at an elite level can lead to immense psychological and physical tolls.

Final Verdict: The Horror of the Pursuit

Him is an ambitious and unsettling film that promises to be a standout in the horror genre. With its powerful story, genre-bending premise, and the creative minds behind it, this film is a chilling and thought-provoking exploration of ambition that is sure to leave a lasting impression.