Marlon Wayans Previously Stepped Into Horror Role for "HIM" For 2025

From "Scary Movie" To An Actual Scary Movie: Marlon Wayans On New Psychological Horror "Him" - Now Available on Peacock

Entertainment Desk - Marlon Wayans has taken a sharp turn away from his slapstick roots in the 2025 psychological horror film HIM. Produced by horror visionary Jordan Peele and his Monkeypaw Productions, the film is a dark, surreal exploration of the "win-at-all-costs" mentality in professional sports.

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What is HIM About?

The film follows Cameron Cade (played by Tyriq Withers), a high-profile college quarterback and rising star. On the cusp of the professional draft, Cameron suffers a traumatic brain injury during an encounter with an unhinged fan, threatening to derail his dreams.

Just as his future looks bleak, he is thrown a lifeline by his idol, Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans). Isaiah is a legendary, eight-time championship-winning quarterback—a "G.O.A.T." who lives in an isolated, high-tech compound with his influencer wife, Elsie (Julia Fox).

The twist? As Cameron begins training at the compound, the mentorship turns sinister. Isaiah’s "unconventional" training methods begin to feel less like coaching and more like a cult-like initiation. The film dives into themes of:

• The Price of Greatness: How much of one's soul and body are worth sacrificing for fame?

• Idolatry: The dangerous power dynamic between a desperate protégé and an ego-driven legend.

• The "Gladiator" Mentality: A critique of how the sports industry—and the public—consumes and discards Black bodies for entertainment.

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Key Movie Details

Feature	Details
Director	Justin Tipping
Producer	Jordan Peele (Monkeypaw Productions)
Release Date	September 19, 2025
Genre	Psychological Horror / Sports Thriller
Main Cast	Marlon Wayans, Tyriq Withers, Julia Fox, Tim Heidecker

Marlon Wayans’ Performance

Wayans has received significant praise for his portrayal of Isaiah White. Moving far beyond his Scary Movie days, he delivers a "chilling and electrifying" performance. Critics have noted that he brings a manic, unpredictable energy to the role, shifting from a charismatic mentor to a terrifying antagonist with ease.

Wayans himself has stated in interviews that the film was a "journey of trust," allowing him to explore a dramatic "unhinged" side of his acting that audiences haven't seen before.

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Critical Reception

While Wayans' acting was a highlight, the movie received mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike.

• The Pros: Many praised the unique "sports horror" concept and the sleek, vibrant cinematography.

• The Cons: Some viewers felt the plot was "half-baked" and that the supernatural/Satanic elements toward the end felt disjointed from the grounded sports drama of the first half.

Fun Fact: The movie was originally developed under the title GOAT before being renamed HIM closer to its release.