Is Jordan Peele’s ‘HIM’ the most Unsettling Psychological thriller of 2025?

An unnerving look at the price of greatness hits cinemas this October.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 23 September 2025:

When Jordan Peele produces a movie, the world watches. The Oscar®-winning filmmaker and producer behind Get Out, Us, Candyman, and Nope has redefined modern horror and now, he’s back with a psychological thriller that might just be his most haunting creation yet.

Titled HIM, the film explores the chilling underbelly of fame, identity, and ambition. Produced under Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions banner, the movie stars Marlon Wayans in a career-defining dramatic turn, alongside breakout star Tyriq Withers.

At its core, HIM follows Cameron Cade, a gifted young quarterback whose life revolves around football, until a violent attack by a deranged fan derails his dreams. Just when his future seems shattered, salvation arrives in the form of Isaiah White (Wayans), a legendary eight-time championship player who invites Cam to train at his secluded compound. But as Cam delves deeper into Isaiah’s world, mentorship soon morphs into manipulation, and the pursuit of excellence takes a sinister turn.

The film’s tension simmers beneath every frame, blurring the line between obsession and devotion. With Julia Fox (Uncut Gems) as Isaiah’s influencer wife, Elsie White, the story unfolds in a world of glamour, isolation, and psychological warfare. What begins as a comeback story quickly descends into a psychological spiral ,one that forces both characters, and viewers to question what it truly costs to be the best.

Behind the Scenes: More Than Just a Peele Project

Contrary to what many might assume given his name on the posters, HIM was not directed by Jordan Peele, he serves here in the role of producer only. The film is helmed by Justin Tipping, who co-wrote the screenplay alongside Zack Akers and Skip Bronkie. According to available reports, the film’s production followed a fairly brisk timeline: principal photography wrapped by November 2024, after which it entered post-production through early 2025. Interestingly, HIM was originally titled GOAT (an acronym for “Greatest of All Time”) when the screenplay first circulated and was included on the Black List in 2022. With such a pedigree behind it, Peele’s name lending creative backing and Tipping handling direction- the project navigated expectations, ambition, and creative risk from the outset.

Social Kandura’s Review – Should you watch “HIM”?

HIM grips you from the very first frame and refuses to let go until its haunting final moments. Jordan Peele and Justin Tipping crafts an atmosphere thick with tension and curiosity – a cinematic experience that keeps you theorising long after the credits roll. The film’s premise is bold, layered, and deeply thought-provoking, delving into themes that will resonate strongly with rising stars in the world of sports and those navigating the weight of expectation and identity.

Tyriq Withers delivers a compelling performance, but it’s Marlon Wayans who truly commands the screen. Taking on a darker, more nuanced role than we’ve seen from him before, Wayans delivers what can only be described as a career-defining performance, one that makes you wonder why he hasn’t explored this genre more often.

Visually, HIM is a triumph. It’s one of the most strikingly shot and stylistically confident films of the year, with Peele’s signature attention to framing, lighting, and symbolism on full display. Beneath its sleek aesthetic, however, lies a narrative that occasionally stumbles under the weight of its own ambition. A few more narrative refinements could have elevated the film’s central message to the brilliance of its visuals.

Still, HIM remains a bold and unsettling entry in Peele’s filmography – one that dares to challenge, provoke, and spark conversation. It’s a cinematic experience that lingers in your mind, not for the answers it gives, but for the questions it compels you to ask.