Gridiron and gore? Football flick ‘Him’ goes psycho with horror

Key Takeaways:

• “Him” blends football with psychological horror.
• Director Justin Tipping highlights the “body horror” aspect of the sport.
• Jordan Peele’s production supports the film’s genre-bending ambitions.
• The story underscores football’s inherent physical intensity.

A Gridiron Turned Haunting

In recent years, filmmakers have explored a variety of unexpected backdrops for horror movies. With “Him,” director Justin Tipping trains the camera on football, a sport famed for its passion and intensity, and recasts it as a stage for deeply unsettling psychological terror. His approach challenges audiences to see the brutal collisions and emotional stakes of the game in a new, more ominous light.

Exploring ‘Body Horror’

“Body horror is inherent in the game,” Tipping says, explaining the inspiration behind “Him.” Football, after all, is known for bone-crunching tackles, relentless physical exertion, and an atmosphere of high-stakes drama that can easily slip into disquiet. By drawing attention to the injuries and strains that players endure, the director spotlights an angle often overlooked in sports-centric films.

Jordan Peele’s Resonant Touch

Jordan Peele, recognized for producing genre-defying stories, brings his unique perspective to “Him.” The synergy between Tipping’s vision and Peele’s history of ushering in socially charged horror suggests a film that will unsettle audiences beyond mere jump-scares. Collaborations like these often electrify the landscape of cinema, offering stories that unsettle, provoke thought, and spur conversation.

Physical and Psychological Confrontations

Football depends on strategic plays, intense stamina, and a collective will to win—elements that easily transition into the language of horror. “Him” uses these qualities as hallmarks of dread, building tension with the understanding that every tackle or scramble for yards has unsettling consequences. Far from glorifying the spectacle, the film turns that spectacle into psychological chaos.

Key Facts About ‘Him’

Revisiting the American Pastime

In the end, “Him” reimagines football not merely as athletic contest, but as a battleground for fear, delving into the collective psyche that cheers—sometimes hungrily—on the sidelines. If “body horror” truly is “inherent in the game,” then “Him” sets out to unearth every unsettling detail lurking between the yard lines.