Him will bring a jolt of sports-driven drama to streaming this month.
Peacock is adding the football-themed thriller to the platform on Dec. 19, the streamer recently announced.
The film centers on up-and-coming quarterback Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers), whose dream of professional sports glory is nearly cut short when he’s attacked by an crazed fan.
Cade gets an invitation to train with his idol, star quarterback Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans), at a remote compound, leading to chills and a twisted game on the field.
Julia Fox, Tim Heidecker, Jim Jefferies, and MMA fighter Maurice Greene also star in the film.
Related: Marlon Wayans Defends ‘Him’ As Critics Pile On
Him arrived in theaters in September, and earned $28 million at the worldwide box office, according to Box Office Mojo.
The thriller had a reported budget of $27 million, plus marketing costs — ultimately losing money.
The Universal Pictures release was directed by Justin Tipping (Run the World and The Chi) from a script written by Tipping, Zack Akers and Skip Bronkie. Oscar-winning filmmaker Jordan Peele produced through his Monkeypaw Productions.
Critics said the film “fumbled” the ball in the storytelling department. Him currently has a 30 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes and an audience rating of 57 percent.
Despite the disappointing reviews, critics widely praised Wayans’ performance and the movie’s commentary on social issues.
Wayans responded to the critiques with a statement noting critics also panned his films White Chicks and Scary Movie, before they became cult classics.
“Some movies are ahead of the curve. Innovation is not always embraced and art is to be interpreted and it’s subjective,” he wrote on Instagram.
On the red carpet, Wayans said Him is complicated and should be viewed more than once.
“This is not a movie you see one time, you gotta see it two or three times,” he said, adding, “it’s like a roller coaster ride” that will keep you coming back.
Perhaps the ride to streaming will turn Him into another classic for Wayans.
The thriller runs 96 minutes. You can catch the action when it arrives on Peacock, Dec. 19.
Discover more from Urban Hollywood 411
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
