Film Critics Weigh In as Jordan Peele’s “Him” Opens Tomorrow Nationwide

Box office projections target $15-18 million debut for Marlon Wayans sports-horror thriller as review embargo lifts Thursday.

Jordan Peele’s latest production venture, the sports-horror film “Him,” faces its critical moment as review embargos lift today ahead of tomorrow’s nationwide theatrical release. The Universal Pictures thriller, starring Marlon Wayans as a veteran quarterback mentoring a young player, carries significant expectations with box office analysts projecting a $15-18 million opening weekend from 3,100 theaters.

The film represents a bold genre-blending experiment, combining football drama with psychological horror elements under the Monkeypaw Productions banner. Director Justin Tipping helms the $27 million production, which follows a seasoned quarterback nearing retirement who takes an aspiring young player (Tyriq Withers) under his wing, with the mentor-mentee relationship taking disturbing turns.

Critical Reception and Market Position

Early industry buzz has generated considerable intrigue around the film’s crossover appeal between horror and sports audiences. The timing strategically capitalizes on both football season and the approaching Halloween period, targeting male demographics across age groups.

However, the film faces stiff competition from last weekend’s surprise anime hit “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Infinity Castle,” which shattered records with a $70 million opening and is expected to retain the top box office position. The anime phenomenon doubled the previous domestic anime opening record, creating a formidable challenge for new releases.

Industry Implications

“Him” doesn’t require exceptional numbers to achieve profitability given its modest production budget. The film will share IMAX screens with Universal’s 30th anniversary re-release of “Apollo 13,” potentially splitting premium format audiences.

Critics and audiences received their first official look at the film today, with early reviews expected to significantly impact weekend box office performance. The project marks another collaboration between Peele’s production company and Universal, following their successful partnership on previous horror ventures.

The film’s success could signal broader acceptance for genre-hybrid storytelling in mainstream cinema, particularly sports-horror combinations that remain relatively untested in wide theatrical releases.