Him is a 2025 American sports horror film directed by Justin Tipping, who co-wrote the chilling screenplay alongside Zack Akers and Skip Bronkie. Blending psychological horror with a tense sports drama backdrop, the film is produced by Monkeypaw Productions and stars Marlon Wayans as a legendary quarterback on the verge of retirement, and Tyriq Withers as a rising football star whose career takes a disturbing turn.
Set within an isolated training compound, Him follows a promising young player who is invited to learn under the intense tutelage of a superstar QB1. What begins as an opportunity of a lifetime spirals into a psychological and physical nightmare, as the young athlete becomes entangled in a sinister game of power, control, and transformation in the name of greatness.
Him Age Rating
Him is rated R for strong/bloody violence, language throughout, sexual material, nudity, and some drug use. This rating reflects a high level of mature content that is not appropriate for younger audiences. Below is a detailed breakdown of the film’s content to help parents determine its suitability for teens:
Violence
The film features intense sequences of violence and gore, especially within its training and hazing scenes. Injuries sustained during football drills are depicted in graphic detail, including broken bones, concussions, and deliberate harm masked as “tough love.” There are moments of psychological torture, as well as disturbing hallucinations involving blood, bodily harm, and aggressive outbursts. At least one violent death is shown on screen, accompanied by blood and realistic injury detail. The violence is not only physical but deeply psychological, pushing the protagonist to his breaking point.
Language
Profanity is used frequently throughout the film. Characters regularly use strong language including f-words, s-words, and other explicit terms in both intense and casual contexts. The language reflects the aggressive and often toxic environment within the compound and contributes to the film’s mature tone.
Sexual Content
Him contains sexual material and partial nudity. There are scenes involving seduction and power dynamics, including implied sexual coercion. Nudity appears in a non-explicit but clearly adult context, involving both male and female characters. A few scenes explore the intersection of desire, dominance, and vulnerability, making the sexual content psychologically charged rather than gratuitous.
Mature Themes
The film delves into dark and disturbing territory, touching on themes of obsession, toxic mentorship, abuse of power, and the cost of ambition. The QB1 character serves as both mentor and manipulator, pushing the young player into morally and physically compromising situations. Drug use is depicted sporadically, mainly as part of the elite sports culture. The film critiques toxic masculinity and the cult-like pressures of athletic greatness, offering a disturbing metaphor for real-world issues in sports culture.
Is Him Suitable for Teens?
Ages 10–12: The film’s graphic violence, explicit language, sexual material, and disturbing psychological themes make it completely inappropriate for children and young pre-teens.
Ages 13–17: Even older teens may find the intense violence, adult themes, and psychological horror overwhelming. The film is best suited for mature adults due to its disturbing content and emotionally unsettling subject matter.
Him is a challenging, provocative film that explores the dark underbelly of fame and ambition. Its mature and often disturbing content places it firmly in the adult-only category, unsuitable for teen viewers.
What Parents Can Do
Preview the Film: Parents should be aware that Him contains highly disturbing imagery and mature content. Watching the trailer or reading reviews can help determine if it’s appropriate for any older teen in question.
Discuss Real-World Parallels: The film explores real issues in the sports world, including exploitation, toxic coaching, and the pressures placed on young athletes. These themes can be a springboard for important conversations with older teens — if parents feel the teen is mature enough to handle the content.
Monitor Viewer Reaction: If a mature teen insists on watching the film, parents should consider co-viewing to gauge how they respond to the intense material and be available to talk through it afterward.
Official Trailer
FAQs
Q: What is the age rating for Him (2025)?
A: The film is rated R for strong/bloody violence, language throughout, sexual material, nudity, and some drug use.
Q: Is Him appropriate for teens?
A: No, the film is not suitable for teens. Its violent, sexual, and disturbing psychological content is better suited for adult audiences only.
Q: Does Him contain nudity and sexual scenes?
A: Yes, the film includes partial nudity, implied sexual coercion, and adult-themed interactions that are not suitable for younger viewers.
Q: How violent is Him?
A: The film includes graphic violence, psychological abuse, disturbing hallucinations, and at least one onscreen death. The content is intense and visceral.
Q: Where can I watch Him?
A: Him will be released in theaters in the United States on September 19, 2025, by Universal Pictures.