Him Bombs: Critics Pile On As Rotten Tomatoes Score Plummets
Him, the Jordan Peele-produced thriller, is landing with a thud as critics pan it and its Rotten Tomatoes score falls far short of Get Out.
Well, this is awkward. The new Jordan Peele-produced thriller Him is out in the wild, and critics are not throwing a parade for it. Think more fumble than touchdown.
What this movie is
Him comes from director Justin Tipping and Peele's Monkeypaw banner. The setup: rising college quarterback Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers) is blowing up, then legendary figure Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans) invites him to train at his secluded compound. From there, the vibe turns from mentorship to menace. The cast also includes Julia Fox and Jim Jefferies. It opens in theaters on September 19, 2025.
So how rough are the reviews?
As of now, Him is sitting at 29% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 31 critic reviews. Early days, sure, but the trend line is not friendly.
What critics are actually saying
- Jonathan Sim (ComingSoon) calls it a rare miss for Monkeypaw and suggests the movie basically has nothing on the board.
- Bilge Ebiri (Vulture) says the film looks slick but feels thin underneath, likening it to an expensive student film once the style wears off.
- Frank Scheck (The Hollywood Reporter) argues the movie pushes hard to be disturbing and ends up more gonzo than genuinely chilling in the back half.
- William Bibbiani (The Wrap) notes the trailer gives away most of the experience, though he does single out Marlon Wayans for bringing his A-game.
- Julian Roman (MovieWeb) goes nuclear, calling it a contender for his worst film of 2025 and criticizing the sensory overload, strobe effects, and shaky camerawork.
"You learn about as much from the movie as you do from the trailer, and the trailer is free to watch and saves you a lot of time."
The Peele factor
Part of why this is getting side-eye: Peele's own films have set a high bar. Get Out sits at 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, Us at 93%, and Nope at 83%. Him, produced by Peele but directed by Tipping, is nowhere near that neighborhood so far.
Bottom line
Him is aiming for prestige horror meets sports thriller and, according to most early reviews, lands in a messy middle. Wayans is getting respect for his performance, but the larger package is being dinged for empty flash and a story that sputters when it should sprint. If you were expecting another Peele-level critical run, this one looks like a short drive and a punt.