Greatness demands sacrifice, and sometimes we make Faustian pacts with the devil. That’s the premise of “HIM,” a unique sports-focused horror film from producer and Oscar-winner Jordan Peele, comedian/actor Marlon Wayans, and Peele’s Monkeypaw production company that focuses on films that terrify audiences (“Get Out,” “Us,” “Candyman,” and “Nope”).
What would you sacrifice to become the greatest of all time? “HIM” is a chilling journey into the inner sanctum of fame, idolatry, and the pursuit of excellence at any cost, featuring a dramatic performance from Marlon Wayans (“Air,” “Requiem For A Dream”).
“HIM” stars former college wide receiver Tyriq Withers (“Atlanta,” the upcoming “I Know What You Did Last Summer”) as 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.
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 curls into something darker, sending his protégé down a disorienting rabbit hole that may cost him more than he ever bargained for.
The film also features supporting performances by Tim Heidecker (“First Time Female Director,” “Us”) and Australian comic Jim Jefferies (“The Jim Jefferies Show”), plus MMA heavyweight fighter Maurice Greene and hip hop phenoms Guapdad 4000 and Grammy nominee Tierra Whack, all three in their feature film debuts.
“HIM” is directed by Justin Tipping, the excellent breakout director of the super underrated “Kicks,” which makes this picture one to watch.
READ MORE: ‘Kicks’ Is An Astonishing Directorial Debut By Justin Tipping About Manhood, Violence & Dreams [Review]
The film comes from an acclaimed Black List screenplay by Zack Akers & Skip Bronkie (creators of the sci-fi crime series “Limetown”) and Tipping. Producers include Ian Cooper (“Nope”), Jordan Peele (“Candyman,” “BlacKkKlansman”), Win Rosenfeld (“Lovecraft Country”), and Jamal M. Watson (“Hala”) for Monkeypaw Productions, and is executive produced by David Kern and Monkeypaw’s Kate Oh.
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Universal Pictures will release “HIM” in theaters on September 19. Watch the first teaser trailer below.
