Jordan Peele’s 2025 flop becomes a massive streaming hit on Netflix

Credit: Universal

When director Justin Tipping’s supernatural thriller Him premiered on September 19 of last year, it redefined the concept of “bloody good entertainment.” Now, nearly a year post-release, the film is finding a second life, swiftly climbing the ranks of the Netflix Top 10.

Produced by Jordan Peele, this 96-minute football-centric horror feature delivers a relentless, visceral experience. Leading up to its theatrical debut, Tipping piqued interest with trailers drenched in psychedelic aesthetics and a haunting, enigmatic atmosphere. At its core, the film promised a disturbing dive into the psychological pressures of high-stakes athletics—the kind of movie that keeps viewers nervously watching through their fingers.

Him centers on Cameron “Cam” Cade (Tyriq Withers), a promising football talent whose career hangs in the balance following a severe head injury. He finds a mentor in Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans), the star quarterback for the San Antonio Saviors. As the two train together for a grueling week, White must determine if Cam possesses the grit required to step into his shoes as the franchise’s next great leader.

Driven by a desperate need to succeed, Cam is thrust into an environment that pushes him to his absolute breaking point. The film pulls no punches in its exploration of obsessive fan culture, the moral decay inherent in the pursuit of success, and a brand of unbridled brutality that is genuinely chilling.

Despite its intensity, Him struggled to resonate with everyone upon release; its 31% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes suggests the conclusion didn’t land with the impact the filmmakers intended.

As for Jordan Peele, his next directorial venture remains shrouded in mystery. Originally slated for late 2024, the project faced delays due to the 2023 labor strikes. While it was briefly pushed to October 2026, it has since been scrubbed from Universal’s schedule entirely. The film remains in development, but with zero details regarding its title, plot, or potential arrival, it has become one of the industry’s most persistent enigmas—so much so that even his frequent collaborator, Keke Palmer, has admitted she’s in the dark.

In the meantime, viewers have Him. Whether or not it captivated you in theaters, its current run on Netflix offers a perfect opportunity to revisit it. Much like all of Peele’s contributions to the genre, Him aims for something far more substantial than cheap jump scares, offering a haunting experience that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll.

Source: Polygon