The new Jordan Peele horror film, Him, opened last weekend to underwhelming box office results and poor critical reception. Released amid strong competition from the anime hit Demon Hunter: Infinity Castle, which continues to dominate the top spot, Him struggled to attract viewers, finishing with an estimated $15 million opening weekend domestic gross. The film’s poor performance and mixed reviews mark a surprising setback for Peele, known for high-quality horror productions.
Critical Response Highlights Flaws in Execution
Him currently holds a 28% Rotten Tomatoes score, reflecting widespread disappointment among reviewers who expected more from a Jordan Peele-associated project. Critics point to the film’s ambitious premise as undermined by what many describe as uneven and rushed filmmaking. Ross Bonaime from Collider stated,
“has a whole field to play on, and instead, it rushes and fumbles the ball.”
Similarly, the general consensus on Rotten Tomatoes summarized,
Fumbling the ball well before the red zone, HIM has style to spare but botches its promising conceit with rookie execution.
Plot and Cast Overview
Him centers on a young detective, played by Tyriq Withers, who investigates a string of puzzling disappearances. As he digs deeper, the detective encounters mysterious characters and uncovers unsettling secrets that test his understanding of reality and inner strength. Marlon Wayans co-stars as Connor Dane, contributing to the film’s tension-filled narrative under the direction of Justin Tipping.
Financial Context and Comparison to Other Horror Releases
Produced with a budget of approximately $27 million, Him fell significantly short of expectations, grossing $6.4 million on Friday alone but unlikely to reach blockbuster status. Its early weekend box office tally lags behind several notable horror films released this year, such as Sinners, Final Destination Bloodlines, The Conjuring: Last Rites, and Weapons. By contrast, these films have captured much stronger audience attention and revenues. Him’s financial results align more closely with movies like Osgood Perkins’ The Monkey, which earned roughly $40 million domestically during its entire run.
Peele’s Recent Projects and Industry Impact
Jordan Peele, who is a respected figure within Universal Studios, recently supported several horror projects with varying degrees of success. Last year, he championed Dev Patel’s directorial debut, Monkey Man, which, despite Netflix dropping it, secured distribution through Universal and attracted favorable reviews. Peele also lent his influence to Nia DaCosta’s Candyman reboot, which performed well at the box office but received mixed commentary from Peele himself. His inability to acquire the rights for Zach Cregger’s Weapons, which became a breakout hit after New Line won it in a bidding war, was reportedly frustrating for him, especially as Him failed to resonate similarly with audiences.
What This Means for the Genre and the Future
A banner year for horror, 2025 has seen diverse and thriving entries capture audiences and generate strong box office results, but Him’s reception signals the challenges even prominent filmmakers face when reinventing the genre. The mixed critical reception and underwhelming commercial performance may influence future projects associated with Peele and Universal’s horror slate. Viewers intrigued by the film’s narrative can still catch it in theaters, but its trajectory suggests a cautious reassessment of ambitious horror projects moving forward within the industry.
