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Jordan Peele’s ‘Him’ finally hits Netflix April 19, giving box office disaster a streaming lifeline. The supernatural horror film flopped theatrically after earning just $28 million. Now streaming audiences will decide if this divisive thriller deserves redemption.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Netflix Premiere: April 19, 2026, in the United States
- Original Release: September 19, 2025, in theaters, earned $28 million globally
- Rotten Tomatoes: 31-34% critics score, 59% audience approval rating
- Director: Justin Tipping, produced by Jordan Peele (not directed by him)
A Sports Horror Story That Flopped, Then Found Netflix
When ‘Him’ premiered in September 2025, box office expectations ran high. Jordan Peele’s production company had delivered legitimate scares before. But audiences stayed away, and critics shredded the film. Now, Netflix is betting streaming viewers will embrace what theaters rejected.
The supernatural thriller centers on Cameron Cade, a rising young quarterback, who accepts an invitation to train at an isolated compound. His mentor, Isaiah White, is an aging legend. What starts as dream mentorship curdles into psychological terror.
Jordan Peele’s ‘Him’ hits Netflix April 19, terrifying fans nationwide
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Cast Anchored by Marlon Wayans’ Sinister Turn
Tyriq Withers plays Cam Cade, the ambitious athlete protagonist who descends into a nightmare. Marlon Wayans transforms into Isaiah White, a coach whose charisma gradually becomes something darker and more menacing.
The ensemble includes Julia Fox and Tim Heidecker in supporting roles. Wayans’ performance shift from likeable mentor to antagonist grounds the film’s psychological horror core. Critics noted his commitment even when the overall script faltered.
Critical Reception and Box Office Reality
| Metric | Score |
| Rotten Tomatoes (Critics) | 31-34% |
| Rotten Tomatoes (Audience) | 59% |
| IMDB Rating | 5/10 (22,000+ votes) |
| Worldwide Box Office | $28 million |
Universal Pictures released ‘Him’ in September but saw zero box office momentum. Reviews arrived quickly and critically, with a 34% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences were divided but slightly more generous at 59% approval.
Justin Tipping’s Bold Sports-Horror Fusion
Director Justin Tipping crafted a psychological sports thriller that defies easy categorization. His vision blends body horror with commentary on masculinity and professional ambition. The film explores how mentorship can twist into manipulation and domination.
Tipping drew inspiration from Jeff Koons art installations, Edward Hopper paintings, and 1990s Nike campaigns. The director shot traditional horror endings before settling on the film’s more ambiguous conclusion. He created roughly 300 different edits of the final scene, unable to find unanimous satisfaction.
“Him is unlike any horror film I’ve ever seen,” Jordan Peele stated about the project he produced.
— Jordan Peele, Producer
Will Netflix Audiences Give ‘Him’ the Second Chance It Deserves?
April 19 marks ‘Him’s opportunity for redemption. Streaming audiences approach horror content differently than theatrical crowds. Netflix has revived divisive films before, finding devoted fandoms willing to reconsider polarizing work.
The film’s psychological intensity and genre-bending approach may resonate stronger with home viewers. Without theatrical pressure and critic bias shaping perception, streaming audiences often discover merit in misunderstood films. Does ‘Him’ belong in that category?
Sources
- Screen Rant – Jordan Peele’s horror film Netflix streaming release analysis
- Rotten Tomatoes – Critical and audience score aggregation
- Wikipedia – Him 2025 film comprehensive production details and cast
