Marlon Wayans Channels Dark Mentor Energy in Jordan Peele-Produced Horror Thriller Him

Jordan Peele is back to haunt our screens—this time as producer of the upcoming psychological horror film Him, a chilling new tale where ambition, violence, and legacy collide on the football field. Directed by Justin Tipping (Kicks), Him stars Marlon Wayans in a career-redefining role, alongside breakout actor Tyriq Withers, with the film slated to hit theaters on September 19, 2025.

The newly released trailer from Universal Pictures offers a tense look at the disturbing dynamics between a once-celebrated athlete (Marlon Wayans) and a promising young quarterback (Tyriq Withers) navigating the high-pressure world of American football. But this isn’t your typical underdog sports story. From the minds of Zack Akers and Skip Bronkie, whose screenplay made the prestigious Black List, Him is a haunting examination of sacrifice, obsession, and the rituals of success, both literal and metaphorical.

“You’re going to have to ask yourself, ‘What am I willing to sacrifice?’” Marlon Wayans intones in the trailer, just as glimpses of ritualistic violence and supernatural dread unravel onscreen.

Jordan Peele’s Signature Imprint

Produced by Monkeypaw Productions, Jordan Peele’s horror house behind Get Out, Us, and Nope, Him promises to continue his tradition of genre-bending thrillers that double as social commentaries. Peele is joined by longtime collaborators Ian Cooper and Win Rosenfeld, as well as Jamal Watson. While Jordan Peele doesn’t direct, his fingerprints are all over the film’s unsettling tone and slow-burn psychological tension.

At CinemaCon 2025, Wayans and Withers introduced exclusive footage, jokingly referring to it as “Rudy with trauma.” Wayans, long known for his comedic chops in films like White Chicks and Scary Movie, makes a bold pivot here. Based on the trailer and early buzz, his performance may surprise fans—and potentially put him on track for awards season recognition.

A Rising Star and a Veteran Cast

Withers, known from I Know What You Did Last Summer 2 and the upcoming Reminders of Him, leads the film as a young athlete desperate to achieve greatness. The supporting cast includes Uncut Gems star Julia Fox, comedian Tim Heidecker, and musician Tierra Whack in her acting debut. Together, the ensemble brings to life a world where performance pressure curdles into something far more sinister.

Marlon Wayans shared the trailer on Instagram with the caption, “Bro… it’s different.” And different it is.

As the release date approaches, Him is already positioning itself as one of the fall’s most anticipated—and unsettling—cinematic experiences.