Marlon Wayans’ Darkest Role Yet: Inside Jordan Peele’s Twisted New Horror Film ‘Him’ – What’s Really Happening?

If you had a notion Marlon Wayans was merely the king of comedy, think twice. The actor is venturing into some extremely dark territory with 'Him', a new horror movie written and produced by Jordan Peele and directed by Justin Tipping. And by the first trailer, this is not your run-of-the-mill jump-scare movie—it's something a great deal more unsettling.

Universal Pictures released the trailer recently, and it's already making waves. The movie is about a young football sensation (played by Tyriq Withers) who is drawn into a hellish mentorship with an older player (Wayans) who is fixated on winning at all costs. Imagine 'Whiplash' crossed with 'Get Out', with a strong serving of psychological horror.

So, what's going on with 'Him'? Let's dissect. 

The Plot: A Twisted Mentor-Protege Story  

The trailer opens with Tyriq Withers’ character, a talented young quarterback, being approached by Marlon Wayans’ mysterious veteran player. At first, it seems like a standard sports drama—hard work, discipline, pushing limits. But things take a sinister turn fast.  

Wayans delivers chilling lines like:  

- “Talent is how hard you’re willing to work.”

- "'I'm never good enough'—that's how great people think."

- "What are you willing to sacrifice?"

The mood veers from inspirational to outright frightening as we catch glimpses of ritualistic brutality, creepy training exercises, and an overall feeling that Withers' character is being prepared for something much more sinister than football stardom.

At CinemaCon, Wayans quipped that the movie was "kinda like Rudy," prompting Withers to jump in quickly and correct him: "It's nothing at all like Rudy." And he's right—this isn't an inspirational underdog tale. This is a psychological horror movie that burrows deep into obsession, sacrifice, and the cost of greatness.

Why Jordan Peele's Involvement Matters

Jordan Peele is now a horror powerhouse, combining social commentary with actual scares in movies such as 'Get Out', 'Us', and 'Nope'. Monkeypaw Productions, his production company, produced 'Him', so we can anticipate:

- 'Multilayered storytelling' – This won't be surface-level horror. Peele's movies always have underlying themes.

- 'Creepy vibe' – The trailer is already giving off heavy 'Get Out' energy, where something just doesn't feel right from the beginning.

- 'Social themes' – Considering Peele's history, 'Him' will probably tackle themes such as ambition, exploitation, and the shadow of success.

Director Justin Tipping ('Kicks', 'The Last O.G.') has a strong visual sense and a knack for combining drama and surrealism. Combine that with Peele's horror acumen, and we might see one of the most unusual thrillers of the year.

Marlon Wayans in a Serious (and Scary) Role

We all know Marlon Wayans from 'Scary Movie', 'White Chicks', and 'In Living Color'—essentially, the guy who gets us laughing. But he's been quietly establishing himself as a dramatic actor as well.

Remember 'Requiem for a Dream'? His work in that was chilling. And here, with 'Him', he's going even further into dark, psychological waters. His character appears charming at the beginning, but there's something seriously broken beneath the surface.

Wayans shared the trailer on Instagram with the caption: "Bro… it's different." And he isn't wrong. This isn't just another horror film—it's a full-on plunge into madness.

(Ooh, and for those who were missing his sense of humor—yeah, he's also making 'Scary Movie 6', which releases in 2026. So don't panic, he's not leaving us entirely for laughter.)

Tyriq Withers: A Star on the Rise to Watch

Tyriq Withers is not long in Hollywood, but already making waves. Besides 'Him', he'll be showing up in 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' (2025) and 'Reminders of Him'. 

In 'Him', he's the young sport caught up in Wayans' sinister mentorship. From the trailer, he gives a blend of resolve and mounting horror—like he's finally realizing too late that he's in way over his head.

If this movie strikes as hard as it appears, Withers might be the next household name in horror.

The Supporting Cast: Julia Fox, Tim Heidecker, and More

The movie isn't a two-man affair. The cast consists of:

- 'Julia Fox' ('Uncut Gems') – No word on what she's doing yet, but based on her intensity in previous films, she'll probably bring something crazy to the mix.

- 'Tim Heidecker' ('The Comedy', 'Us') – Offbeat comedian, but he's also fantastic in darker parts ('Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania' revealed his evil side).

- 'Jim Jefferies' – The comedian could bring some much-needed levity… or be part of the horror.  

- 'Tierra Whack' – The rapper/actress is a wildcard addition. Could she be playing a victim? A sinister figure? We’ll have to wait and see.  

What Makes 'Him' Different From Other Horror Movies?

1. 'It’s a Sports Horror Film' – We’ve seen horror in haunted houses, forests, and space… but a football setting? That’s fresh. The idea of an athlete being pushed beyond human limits is terrifying in its own way.  

2. 'Psychological Depth' – This isn’t just about gore. It’s about obsession, control, and the cost of success.

3. 'Marlon Wayans' Performance' – Watching a comedian completely turn into horror is always frightening (imagine Jim Carrey in 'The Number 23' or Robin Williams in 'One Hour Photo'). 

Final Thoughts: Is 'Him' Going to Be a Hit?

All indications are 'yes'. With Peele on board as a producer, Tipping helming, and Wayans in a career-defining turn, we might have one of the biggest horror films of 2025.

The trailer teases just enough to get us hooked without revealing the terrors. And if the final product delivers on its hint, we might be looking at the next horror franchise to make some serious noise.

'Him' opens in theaters on "September 19, 2025". Set your calendars—this one's going to be intense.

What do you think? Are you looking forward to 'Him'? Let me know in the comments!