The recently released horror-sports drama Him, produced by Jordan Peele, has captured viewers with its chilling portrayal of the darker side of football. Following Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers), a college quarterback ensnared in a grim tale linked to retired legend Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans), the film exposes harsh realities in the sport. For fans of Jordan Peele sports dramas eager to find similarly gripping stories, here is a carefully curated list of 10 compelling sports dramas that share themes of sacrifice, ambition, and the intense pressures athletes face.
1. The Emotional Depth of ‘Million Dollar Baby’ (2004)
This Academy Award-winning boxing drama charts the journey of Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank), a 31-year-old waitress from Missouri determined to become a professional boxer. While it begins as a story of perseverance and triumph, it evolves into a poignant examination of love, sacrifice, and mercy. Similar to Him’s exploration of football’s physical danger, Million Dollar Baby confronts the consequences of bodily injury and loss of autonomy. Both films focus on coach-athlete relationships, though one takes on a darker, sinister tone while the other embraces a tender bond. The shared depiction of mentorship’s profound impact on athletes cements this film as essential for fans of Peele’s work.
2. Obsession and Athletic Drive in ‘The Novice’ (2021)
An underrated indie gem, The Novice follows freshman Alex Dall (Isabelle Fuhrman) as she joins her college rowing team and becomes consumed by the goal to make varsity. The film presents athletic pursuit as a form of self-inflicted torment, closely mirroring the relentless tension found in Him, though without supernatural elements. Both protagonists push limits through acts of self-punishment, fostering an intense atmosphere rare in sports dramas. With its focus on obsession and physical endurance, this movie resonates with those who appreciated the confronting and suspenseful nature of Jordan Peele sports dramas.
3. The Psychological Intensity of ‘Black Swan’ (2010)
Set in the highly competitive world of professional ballet, Black Swan tells the story of Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman), a perfectionist who lands a leading role in Swan Lake while grappling with mental turmoil. Although ballet differs from football, the film shares a powerful depiction of mental and physical sacrifice under extreme pressure, akin to the psychological horror in Him. Both films blur the lines between reality and nightmare, using a demanding environment to expose the dark side of high-level performance. Fans drawn to the intense emotional landscape of Peele’s film will find Black Swan equally haunting and engrossing.
4. Manipulation and Madness in ‘Foxcatcher’ (2014)
Foxcatcher presents a disturbing true story exposing ambition’s shadowy undercurrents. The film centers on Olympic wrestling champion Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) and his toxic relationship with multimillionaire John du Pont (Steve Carell). Like Him, it delves into a young athlete being lured by a charismatic yet dangerous mentor, only to become trapped and consumed by their influence. Both examine identity loss beneath a veneer of success, with a creeping psychological horror underscoring the narrative. Foxcatcher‘s moody tone and slow-building tension mirror Peele’s approach, making it a gripping watch for those fascinated by the darker layers of sports stories.
5. Exposing Football’s Hidden Costs with ‘Concussion’ (2015)
This dramatization centers on Dr. Bennet Omalu (Will Smith), the Nigerian-American pathologist who uncovered Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) in football players. Concussion anchors the unsettling scenes of Him in real-world consequences, highlighting the devastating effects of head trauma in the sport. Both films question the morality of football’s popularity versus the toll it exacts on players’ health and lives. For viewers troubled by the horrors depicted in Peele’s narrative, this fact-based drama delivers a revealing, urgent perspective on the price paid by athletes for the game’s entertainment value.
6. Ethical Struggles Behind the Scenes in ‘The Program’ (1993)
The Program explores the tumultuous lives of players on the fictional Division I college football team, the ESU Timberwolves, revealing the pressures and compromises made to pursue glory. Its portrayal of moral ambiguity and relentless drive parallels Him’s depiction of athletes pushed beyond limits. The film uncovers the harsh realities lurking beneath a college football program’s prestigious façade, emphasizing the personal costs behind success. Those captivated by Jordan Peele sports dramas’ darker tones will find this film a fitting companion that does not shy away from uncomfortable truths.
7. The Pressures of Small-Town Football in ‘Varsity Blues’ (1999)
Set in a Texas town obsessed with high school football, this coming-of-age drama centers on the West Canaan High Coyotes and the oppressive control of a demanding coach. While lacking Him’s horror intensity, Varsity Blues critiques the unforgiving “win-at-any-cost” mentality familiar to Peele’s audience. It highlights the heavy expectations placed on young talents and the reckless decisions fueled by an obsession with victory. The film blends humor with serious themes of pressure and consequence, providing a raw, engaging portrait of what it means to grow up under the weight of athletic ambition.
8. High-Stakes Pressure in ‘Friday Night Lights’ (2004)
Based on H.G. Bissinger’s nonfiction work, Friday Night Lights follows the 1988 season of the Permian High Panthers, a Texas football powerhouse, through a cinéma-vérité style and evocative soundtrack. Like Him, it portrays the formidable psychological strain on teenage athletes and explores the existential crisis when football ceases to define their identity. Though not a horror film, its tense and often bleak narrative dismantles the myth of the invincible sports hero. Fans invested in Peele’s complex portrayal of athletic hardship will appreciate this film’s impactful exploration of what it truly costs to be a champion.
9. The Gritty Reality of Sports in ‘North Dallas Forty’ (1979)
This sharp, darkly comedic drama dives into the brutal and exploitative world of professional football through the eyes of Phil Elliott (Nick Nolte), a weary wide receiver for the North Dallas Bulls. Tackling issues such as drug use, womanizing, and the impersonal business of the sport, the film exposes the physical and emotional toll wrestling beneath camaraderie. Sharing themes with Him, both films depict athletes as commodities maneuvered by powerful mentors who exploit their desperation for greatness. For those drawn to Peele’s unflinching portrayal of athletic sacrifice and manipulation, North Dallas Forty remains a provocative and timeless watch.
10. Unmasking Football’s Raw Reality in ‘Any Given Sunday’ (1999)
Revealing football as a brutal contest fought by modern gladiators, Any Given Sunday focuses on third-string quarterback Willie Beamen (Jamie Foxx) and veteran coach Tony D’Amato (Al Pacino) of the Miami Sharks. Echoing Him’s ruthless “win-at-all-costs” philosophy, it exposes the darker side of fame and power in the sport. Both explore the fragility of superstars and the heavy price of ambition, including substance abuse and dehumanization. This intense drama’s candid look at professional football’s harsh realities will strongly resonate with fans captivated by the horror-infused truths in Jordan Peele sports dramas.
Together, these ten films provide a spectrum of intense, psychologically charged stories about the sacrifices, pressures, and dark undercurrents in sports, echoing themes found in Jordan Peele’s Him. Each offers a unique perspective on the fragile balance between athletic glory and the personal cost, ensuring that viewers seeking more bone-chilling yet deeply human sports dramas have plenty to choose from. As interest in complex, unsettling sports narratives grows, these movies stand as compelling examples of how athletic pursuit can reveal profound—and sometimes terrifying—truths about ambition and identity.
