2025’s Most Divisive Horror Movie Is Finally Hitting Netflix

The horror genre saw an influx of creativity in 2025, as films including Sinners and Weapons dominated the cultural conversation and the awards circuit. One of those films wasn’t so lucky, as it was not only critically panned but also barely managed to recoup its budget during its theatrical run. Horror fans will get to judge for themselves when Him starts streaming on Netflix tomorrow​​​​​. Directed and co-written by Justin Tipping, Him blends the worlds of sports and horror together for a premise that is interesting in theory, yet lacking in execution.

Him follows football player Cam Cade (Tyriq Withers), who suffers major head trauma after being attacked by a mysterious masked figure. With his career on the line, Cam is invited by legendary quarterback Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans) to train with him for a week and potentially take his place on the San Antonio Saviors. Having idolized White for years, Cam leaps at the chance, only to be dragged into a dark, dangerous world that pushes him to his limits. But poor reviews and competing with the breakout success of Demon Slayer: Infinity Train meant that Him stumbled before it could reach the finish line.

‘Him’ Ended Jordan Peele’s Blockbuster Horror Streak

Image via Universal Pictures

Him‘s biggest draw, other than its premise, is the fact that it boasts Jordan Peele as a producer — a fact that every piece of marketing didn’t hesitate to point out. But Him‘s critical and commercial failure also means that it was the end of a blockbuster streak for Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions, which started all the way back in 2017 with Get Out. In addition to writing and directing films like Nope and Us, Peele would also serve as a producer on the reboot of Candyman. All of these films were renowned for blending searing social commentary with genuine horror thrills, making for a unique viewing experience.

While Him attempts this same approach, it mostly gets by on its visuals. Tipping and cinematographer Kira Kelly do manage to deliver some disturbing imagery throughout Him‘s runtime. Some of the standout moments feature literal X-rays of characters whenever they suffer bodily trauma, offering a disturbing look at how football takes a toll on the body. Yet the script by Tipping, Skip Bronkie, and Zack Ackers veers wildly in tone and fails to flesh out Cam emotionally, only hinting at a rocky relationship with his father. Most reviews of Him cited this as its major failing, and audiences weren’t too thrilled either, as the film carries an alarming 57% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

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‘Him’ Is Carred by Tyriq Withers and Marlon Wayans’ Performances

The true draw of Him isn’t its disturbing imagery or its sports-meets-horror pitch, but rather the dynamic between its two leads. Both Tyriq Withers and Marlon Wayans manage to give excellent performances, rising above paper-thin characterization; Wayans, in particular, oscillates between being a charismatic figure and a fountain of volcanic rage. Him‘s poor performance didn’t affect Withers or Wayans too much, as Withers has continued to build a career for himself, including roles in I Know What You Did Last Summer and Reminders of Him. Wayans even had a thoughtful response regarding the negative criticism surrounding Him, as he suggested the film had the potential to be a cult classic:

“I respect critics. Their job is to critique. I respect their work. It shapes our industry. But an opinion does not always mean it’s everyone’s opinion. Some movies are ahead of the curve. Innovation is not always embraced and art is to be interpreted and it’s subjective. I’ve had a career of making classic movies that weren’t critically recieved and those movies went on to be classics.”

It remains to be seen if Him will make the leap from being critically thrashed to being reappraised, especially since it’s only been a year after its theatrical release. Now that it’s coming to Netflix, perhaps it’ll find a new audience who appreciates its mashup of sports and horror tropes.

Release Date

September 19, 2025

Runtime

96 minutes

Director

Justin Tipping

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