Jordan Peele has made a name for himself outside of comedy with his impressive horror films centred around the African-American experience.
Via his Monkeypaw Productions, he wrote and directed the Oscar-winning Get Out, followed by Us and Nope.
And now comes Him, with Peele on producing duties as Justin Tipping takes over as writer-director.
The new film follows Tyriq Withers’ Cameron Cade, a rising star American football player, as he travels to train at the isolated compound of his hero, Marlon Wayans’ Isaiah White, a retired quarterback.
However, things soon take a sinister turn as dark secrets are uncovered.
It’s an intriguing premise and in the spirit of Get Out and Speak No Evil’s reverse home invasion. Additionally, the sports-horror genre is a fresh new angle to tackle. However, what had a lot of potential at kickoff, with seemingly promised explorations of identity and Faustian bargains, never really comes together in a satisfying way.
Nevertheless, Wayans offers an impressive Michael B Jordan swagger as the villain, largely carrying the film among intriguing visuals. Perhaps one for the Peele faithful, but don’t expect the heights of Get Out or Us. After all, he didn’t write or direct this one but abdicated his signature style to less effect.
Him is out now in cinemas.
