“HIM” Reveals the Sinister Cost of Chasing Greatness on the Gridiron
Jordan Peele, the sketch comedy icon-turned-horror movie legend, has become a force to be reckoned with in the film industry during recent years. Ever since the massive success of “Get Out,” Peele has directed two more horror films and produced a swath of other movies, establishing himself as a savant of the horror genre. In just under a decade, he’s reached the point in his career where anything that has his name attached to it is destined for box office prestige.
Introducing “HIM”
“HIM,” the latest horror movie backed by Peele and his Monkeypaw Productions company, is no different. The soon-to-be-released football horror flick features Justin Tipping as its director and stars Tyriq Withers as Cameron Cade, a college quarterback with his sights set on the NFL, as he enrolls in a training camp led by his idol and former football legend, Isaiah White (played by Marlon Wayans). Cameron’s excitement toward meeting his hero and setting himself up to achieve ‘GOAT’ status is sidelined when he discovers that things aren’t quite what they seem, and when creepy, cult-like and ritualistic performances begin to unfold at the camp.
Peele’s Signature Influence
Jordan Peele has become synonymous with the social commentary he weaves into his horror films, and though he didn’t direct “HIM,” his influence as a producer still shines through. The film explores both the physical and psychological impacts of college and professional football, and ultimately aims to expose the level of sacrifice many pro athletes must take on in order to find success, though it does so through the exaggerated horror lens we’ve come to expect from Peele. Most movies that tackle the subject of football are inspirational underdog stories or feel-good narratives, but “HIM” is not that.
Football’s Brutality and Beyond
It’s no secret that football is a dangerous sport, and the film highlights these dangers, though in classic Peele-esque, hyperbolic and dramatic fashion. The film also sheds light on things like fan culture, the cult of personality around football and the impossible expectations that those at the top are forced to endure. While not shying away from the brutality of the sport, “HIM” seems to be hinting at something even more sinister: the psychological lengths young athletes must go to establish themselves in a world so few are granted access. How far will someone go to succeed in a league where only a select number of people are even given a shot?
Perfectly Timed Release
The film’s release, uncoincidentally, runs concurrently with the start of the NFL season. So while everyone has football on their minds, the crew behind “HIM” will be showcasing the sport in a somewhat different light. Jordan Peele is perhaps one of the few filmmaking greats with the creative leeway to make a film like this come to fruition, and to do so successfully.
When to Watch
“HIM” hits theaters September 19th, just a little over two weeks after the first game of the NFL season.
