Marlon Wayans Demands Sacrifice in Terrifying Trailer for Jordan Peele-Produced Him
Universal Pictures has officially dropped the first teaser trailer for Him, a sports horror film that flips the idea of athletic greatness on its blood-soaked head. Produced by Jordan Peele under his acclaimed Monkeypaw Productions banner, and directed by Justin Tipping, Him is set to release in theaters on September 19, 2025.
Blending elements of psychological horror, supernatural thrills, and sports drama, the film stars Tyriq Withers as a rising football star whose dreams are crushed by a devastating injury — and Marlon Wayans as a once-great quarterback whose dark mentorship may hide something far more disturbing than tough love.
A Sinister Spin on the Sports Underdog Story
The teaser begins with Withers’ character, Cameron Cade, preparing for what should be a career-defining moment: a high-profile scouting event. But a sudden, possibly career-ending brain injury threatens everything he’s worked for. Enter Isaiah White, a retired, championship-winning quarterback who offers Cameron a chance at redemption through an unconventional training program at his isolated training compound.
But this is no typical training montage. Instead of inspirational locker room speeches and protein shakes, we get blood rituals, demonic apparitions, and disturbing psychological breakdowns.
“If you want to transcend the game, you have to dig deep. Your mind and your body have to be in sync,” Isaiah growls in the trailer. “What are you willing to sacrifice?”
From the looks of it, the answer is everything — including Cameron’s soul.
Marlon Wayans Like You’ve Never Seen Him
Known best for his comedic work in White Chicks and the Scary Movie franchise, Marlon Wayans is completely transformed here. His portrayal of Isaiah White is layered, intense, and deeply unsettling — think part football coach, part cult leader.
At CinemaCon 2025, Wayans introduced the trailer alongside Tyriq Withers, joking that the film was “kinda like Rudy.” Withers quickly fired back, “It’s nothing at all like Rudy.” Their banter aside, it’s clear this film is aiming for psychological depth and spiritual horror, not feel-good sports moments.
Wayans later took to Instagram with the teaser and a cryptic caption:
“Bro… it’s different.”
Rituals, Religion, and the Price of Success
From scenes of pentagrams painted on football fields to Cameron standing bloodied in a crucifix pose, Him doesn’t shy away from religious imagery. The trailer implies that the pursuit of greatness, in this world, requires more than just discipline — it demands sacrifice, both literal and metaphorical.
This theme echoes many of Peele’s past works, which use genre storytelling to critique modern obsessions — whether it’s privilege in Get Out, class in Us, or fame in Nope. In Him, the focus appears to be the cult-like nature of sports culture, especially how young athletes are conditioned to give up everything — even their identity — to “make it.”
A Standout Cast of Eccentric Talent
Aside from Wayans and Withers, Him boasts an ensemble cast of eclectic and intriguing performers:
- Julia Fox (Uncut Gems)
- Tim Heidecker (Us, The Comedy)
- Jim Jefferies (comedian and actor)
- Tierra Whack (Grammy-winning musician)
- Guapdad 4000 (hip-hop artist)
- Maurice Greene (MMA fighter)
This blend of comedic, musical, and athletic talent hints that Him may blur genre lines, embracing surreal horror with splashes of satirical realism.
A Black List Origin Story
The script, written by Zack Akers and Skip Bronkie, began as a concept for Monkeypaw before landing on the 2022 Black List, an annual roundup of the best unproduced screenplays in Hollywood. Tipping, who previously directed episodes of Twenties and Joe vs. Carole, was brought on to shape the story into a full-fledged cinematic experience.
Monkeypaw’s producing team includes Jordan Peele, Ian Cooper, Win Rosenfeld, and Jamal Watson — a powerhouse lineup known for pushing the boundaries of traditional horror and thriller films.
Final Thoughts
Him is shaping up to be a bold and haunting addition to the sports film genre, fusing the intensity of athletic ambition with the dread of supernatural horror. For fans of Jordan Peele’s subversive style, or anyone curious to see Marlon Wayans in a shocking new role, Him is a must-watch.
🎥 Mark your calendar: Him hits theaters on September 19, 2025.
Watch the Trailer
📺 Watch the official teaser trailer on Universal Pictures’ YouTube Channel.
📰 Read more about Jordan Peele’s top films and shows on Entertainment Weekly.
🌐 Visit Universal Pictures for more upcoming horror releases.
