Marlon Wayans Scores Dark Lead in Jordan Peele's Football Nightmare

Olivia Bennett, 4/19/2025Marlon Wayans stars as a haunted quarterback in Jordan Peele's psychological horror "Him," a film that blurs sports drama and terror. With fresh talent and a unique narrative, it challenges perceptions of success in athletics, promising a provocative viewing experience when released on September 19, 2025.

Let's talk about that casting, shall we? Marlon Wayans — yes, the same Wayans who had us doubled over with laughter throughout the 2000s — is stepping into dramatically different territory. After his surprisingly nuanced turn in "Respect," Wayans dons the cleats of Isaiah White, an eight-time Championship quarterback whose mentoring style makes Bobby Knight look like a kindergarten teacher.

The film introduces Tyriq Withers as Cameron Cade, and honestly? This former college wide-receiver-turned-actor might just be the fresh blood Hollywood desperately needed. When Cade's NFL dreams get derailed by a brutal attack (the footage from early screenings has some critics already squirming), Isaiah White emerges as an unlikely savior. Though "savior" might be a bit generous, given what apparently unfolds at that isolated training compound.

Speaking of unexpected choices — Julia Fox brings her particular brand of avant-garde energy to the role of Elsie White, Isaiah's influencer wife. In an era where social media's toxicity feels more relevant than ever (especially after 2024's infamous TikTok privacy scandal), her casting feels almost prophetic. The supporting ensemble reads like someone's fever dream wishlist: Tim Heidecker, Jim Jefferies, plus a handful of MMA fighters and hip-hop artists who actually know their way around a weight room.

Director Justin Tipping, working with that Black List screenplay from Zack Akers and Skip Bronkie, seems determined to blur the lines between sports drama and psychological horror. The whole thing sounds about as conventional as a vegan steakhouse — which is precisely why it's got industry insiders buzzing.

And Peele? Well, he's not just producing this potential gem. Word around Hollywood suggests he's simultaneously developing his fourth directorial feature. During a recent Conan O'Brien podcast appearance, he dropped hints about it potentially being his "favorite movie" — provided he "makes it right." Classic Peele, always keeping audiences guessing while emphasizing character development over cheap thrills.

This marks another milestone in Universal's five-year dance with Peele and Monkeypaw Productions. Their partnership has consistently delivered the kind of thought-provoking horror that makes studio executives actually read scripts instead of just checking box office projections. "Him" appears poised to do for professional sports what "Get Out" did for meeting the in-laws — make us deeply uncomfortable about something we thought we understood.

September 19th, 2025, can't come soon enough. In a landscape cluttered with predictable superhero sequels and increasingly desperate reboots, "Him" promises something genuinely fresh. The question isn't just how much of yourself you're willing to sacrifice for success — it's whether you'll recognize what's left of yourself once the game is over.

Jordan Peele's latest cinematic venture isn't just pushing boundaries — it's demolishing them entirely. "Him," the newest offering from Monkeypaw Productions, takes a sharp left turn from typical sports dramas, serving up a psychological horror that might just redefine how we view the pursuit of athletic excellence.Let's talk about that casting, shall we? Marlon Wayans — yes, the same Wayans who had us doubled over with laughter throughout the 2000s — is stepping into dramatically different territory. After his surprisingly nuanced turn in "Respect," Wayans dons the cleats of Isaiah White, an eight-time Championship quarterback whose mentoring style makes Bobby Knight look like a kindergarten teacher.The film introduces Tyriq Withers as Cameron Cade, and honestly? This former college wide-receiver-turned-actor might just be the fresh blood Hollywood desperately needed. When Cade's NFL dreams get derailed by a brutal attack (the footage from early screenings has some critics already squirming), Isaiah White emerges as an unlikely savior. Though "savior" might be a bit generous, given what apparently unfolds at that isolated training compound.Speaking of unexpected choices — Julia Fox brings her particular brand of avant-garde energy to the role of Elsie White, Isaiah's influencer wife. In an era where social media's toxicity feels more relevant than ever (especially after 2024's infamous TikTok privacy scandal), her casting feels almost prophetic. The supporting ensemble reads like someone's fever dream wishlist: Tim Heidecker, Jim Jefferies, plus a handful of MMA fighters and hip-hop artists who actually know their way around a weight room.Director Justin Tipping, working with that Black List screenplay from Zack Akers and Skip Bronkie, seems determined to blur the lines between sports drama and psychological horror. The whole thing sounds about as conventional as a vegan steakhouse — which is precisely why it's got industry insiders buzzing.And Peele? Well, he's not just producing this potential gem. Word around Hollywood suggests he's simultaneously developing his fourth directorial feature. During a recent Conan O'Brien podcast appearance, he dropped hints about it potentially being his "favorite movie" — provided he "makes it right." Classic Peele, always keeping audiences guessing while emphasizing character development over cheap thrills.This marks another milestone in Universal's five-year dance with Peele and Monkeypaw Productions. Their partnership has consistently delivered the kind of thought-provoking horror that makes studio executives actually read scripts instead of just checking box office projections. "Him" appears poised to do for professional sports what "Get Out" did for meeting the in-laws — make us deeply uncomfortable about something we thought we understood.September 19th, 2025, can't come soon enough. In a landscape cluttered with predictable superhero sequels and increasingly desperate reboots, "Him" promises something genuinely fresh. The question isn't just how much of yourself you're willing to sacrifice for success — it's whether you'll recognize what's left of yourself once the game is over.