Universal Pictures has just given us a new look at its upcoming sports horror film, Him, which points the spotlight squarely at the ritualistic hazing of sports bros.
Set to the horror-movie-trailer-ified sound of rapper Tupac’s “Hail Mary,” the new look at Him showcases how the fusion of its horror-meets-sports look will come to life in director Justin Tipping and producer Jordan Peele‘s new joint. In the new trailer, we see The Game‘s Cameron Cade play Tyriq Withers, a rising athlete navigating the media tour that comes with being football’s next up-and-coming star. Under the tutelage of aging veteran Isaiah White, played by Marlon Wayans, the new trailer sees Withers in a training camp that quickly goes awry.
In what was supposed to be a light affair of the athletes tossing the pigskin around a little, it quickly takes a turn when White asks Withers if he can handle the grind. After admonishing his colleagues for not being fast enough to catch, things take a turn for the worse when White has a player stand with his hands behind his back as a passing machine volleys footballs into his face, leaving him a bloody mess.
As if speaking for the viewers, Withers questions what the hell White is doing, going full frat bro with their nonchalant training camp session. But to no avail. White’s retort is simply, “In this game, violence is rewarded. So learn to enjoy it.” As a couple of cuts clue us in, Withers takes his lumps and gets stitches on his noggin before getting booped on the nose by his mentor. After which, Him’s official trailer gives a bunch of surrealistic quick cuts of the film with more hazing and trippy ritualistic imagery as Withers does the only sensible thing: call his momma and tell her something isn’t right.
It’s not just a game. It’s everything. #HimMovie is only in theaters September 19. pic.twitter.com/CD2m4WWdth
— HIM (@himmovie) August 6, 2025
As we gleaned from the previous Him trailer, somewhere throughout the film, Withers has his momentum cut from underneath him when a fan attacks him and suffers from brain trauma that threatens to end his career before it starts. Regardless, we commend Monkeypaw Productions for the diabolical decision to release the trailer around the time football season starts up again. Needless to say, it is doubtful the NFL will cross-promote the film.
Seeing as how the film has more jacked-up things to show us as Withers pushes himself past mortal limits, destroying his body to pursue his dreams, Him will have more moves in its horror playbook to flourish when it releases in theaters. Alongside Wayans and Cade, Him also stars Julia Fox, Tim Heidecker, and Akeem Hayes.
Him releases on September 19.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
English (US) ·