The HIM trailer, produced by Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions, delivers spine-chilling psychological horror set in the world of football.
American football and psychological horror typically do not belong in the same sentence — until now. Introducing “HIM,” the terrifying new thriller from Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions, which just dropped a trailer that has already sent chills across the internet, indicating this is not your regular sports movie. “HIM” will be released on September 19, 2025, via Universal Pictures and will thrust audiences into the disturbed mind of ambition, trauma, and idol worship gone wrong.
HIM Trailer Breakdown: What We Know
The trailer to “HIM” begins with the first act of a classic underdog story — Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers), an up-and-coming football star nearing greatness, suffers a catastrophic injury from an obsessive fan, threatening his football career. But immediately, with the first seconds of the trailer, you realize the tone is different than typical comeback films. The tone envelops you in dread.
Core Setup
Cameron Cade, now desperate for his dream, is invited to a remote training compound.
Only now do we discover that his trainer is the iconic, mysterious, and increasingly disturbing Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans).
What begins as an intense training camp quickly devolves into a nightmare. Paranoid rituals. Twisted howls. Blood-smeared locker rooms.
And always, always — HIM.
This is not only about the physical recovery. It’s about losing control of reality — and wondering who or what is truly in charge.
Jordan Peele’s Wry Horror Touch: What Makes It Work
Jordan Peele has created a brand that has become synonymous with smart, subversive horror — and HIM is no different. Although Peele is not acting as director this time, his Monkeypaw Productions business card is all over this.
Distinct aspects of Peele’s flavor:
Social commentary: toxic masculinity within the sports landscape; celebrity culture.
Psychological unraveling: think Get Out meets Whiplash — but trapped in a football training camp.
Stylized horror: the trailer features stylistic choices such as flickering lights, claustrophobic locker room scenes, and warped dream sequences designed to mess with your mind.
Marlon Wayans plays Isaiah White: A Terrifying Two-Sided Beast
While Marlon Wayans is an established comedic actor, he is not the most likely choice to play the insane horror antagonist — but in the HIM trailer, he completely embodies the character, his performance evoking Isaiah White, a football reference for God complex.
Wayans brings a terrifying two-sided performance to the screen.
Public persona: charming, disciplined, inspirational
Private insanity: controlling, obsessive, and potentially murderous.
This might be the defining performance for Wayans, who somehow manages to blend the restrained menace of Anthony Hopkins from The Silence of the Lambs with the unhinged ferocity of J.K. Simmons in Whiplash.
Tyriq Withers as Cameron Cade: a star is born
In a breakout role, Tyriq Withers displays raw vulnerability as Cade, the young quarterback who is dropped into a nightmarish ordeal. He captures trauma not just in the dialogue, but in body language: every twitch, stagger, and inhalation of breath heightens the sense of dread.
We watch as Cameron:
- Struggles with physical recovery.
- Battles psychological manipulation.
- Challenges his sanity.
It is a performance to behold — and possibly a performance that propels a major career.
Real-World Parallels: The Dark Side of Hero-Worshipping Sports
HIM is not just a series of jump scares — it speaks to real fears and social commentary.
Toxic Training Culture
High-performance sports environments can be absolutely brutal. Think about these examples:
NFL players pushed through injury to attain glory.
College athletes are sacrificing their mental health for scholarships.
Coaches with unchecked power over young players.
Fan Obsession & Celebrity Cults
And the story begins with a fan-related injury, harkening back to actual, violent fan-related instances such as:
The stabbing of Monica Seles by a fan in 1993.
NFL players are being stalked by obsessive fans.
Cinematic Style: What Makes the Trailer So Effective
From a filmmaking standpoint, the HIM trailer is a brilliant study in suspense.
Visuals
The muted colors and cold lighting contrast with warm images usually ascribed to sports films
Quick cuts and tight close-ups add claustrophobia
Repeating motifs – a strange number scrawled on walls, blood-spattered helmets, a shadowy figure appear numerous times – heighten the mystery
Sound Design
A heartbeat-sounding bass underlies much of the film
The disconcerting sound of cleats dragging on concrete is utilized as a jump scare
Marlon Wayans’ halting whispers are chilling as a final gut punch to the trailer
Why Fans Are Hyped — and Terrified
Film Twitter is abluzz. Reddit horror forums dissect the trailer frame by frame. Here’s why:
Sports fans view it as an audacious genre-bending work.
Horror lovers appreciate the slow-burning dread, psychological aspects.
Fans of Jordan Peele are excited about Monkeypaw backing another collaborative vision.
It is rare that a trailer generates this kind of buzz months before its release – and even more rarely generates authentic heart palpitations among that notional horror trailer aficionados.
Final Thoughts: Is “HIM” the Next Horror Classic?
HIM appears to have the makings of a genre-defying watch. With an unsettling premise, magnetic performances, and visionary production with Jordan Peele, this is definitely not just another horror film; it is living up to a lot of expectations!
FAQs
1. When can we expect “HIM” to be released?
HIM is being released domestically on September 19, 2025, by Universal Pictures.
2. Who appears in “HIM”?
Tyriq Withers plays Cameron Cade, and Marlon Wayans plays Isaiah White.
3. What genre is “HIM”?
It’s a psychological horror thriller, but with a strong sports drama component as well – a unique cross over.
4. Who directed the movie “HIM”?
The trailer doesn’t showcase the director, but HIM is produced by Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions (who only does good, quality genre storytelling).
5. Will “HIM” be streaming?
Initially, HIM will be released in theaters. Future streaming release will have announcement dates (I assume on Peacock or affiliated Universal partners).
6. Is this movie good for teens?
HIM seems to be an R-rated psychological horror that seems to suggest it might include some disturbing themes that will not make it appropriate for younger audiences.