‘HIM’ Teaser Trailer Breakdown – What Are You Willing to Sacrifice?

Floodlights spark to life, illuminating a stadium filled with thousands of screaming fans ready for some football. But only one sound, a voice, permeates the noise: “Do you want this?”

So begins the teaser trailer for HIM, one of the year’s most anticipated horror films.

The voice belongs to Marlon Wayans (Scary Movie), who stars as legendary quarterback Isaiah White. He’s speaking to his new protégé, Cameron Cade, played by former college wide-receiver Tyriq Withers (who can next be seen in I Know What You Did Last Summer).

Although Cameron is a promising young athlete, recovering from his potentially career-ending brain trauma at Isaiah’s isolated compound proves to be more than he bargained for. “‘I’m never good enough.’ That’s how great people think,” the mentor explains.

Jordan Peele, a trusted name who can put butts in seats, rightfully receives a big title card. But let’s remember that Justin Tipping is in the director’s chair, lest we have another Candyman situation where the producer overshadows the filmmaker.

Tipping made his feature debut with the 2016 adventure film Kicks before helming episodes of shows like “Dear White People,” “The Chi,” “Black Monday,” and “Joe vs. Carole.”

With the mention of Peele, the tone shifts. No longer could this be mistaken for a sports drama. It’s a horror movie, and the second half of the trailer is poised to make the viewer feel uncomfortable without giving away the plot.

“You’re gonna have to ask yourself, ‘What am I willing to sacrifice?'” Isaiah says before a costumed mascot is revealed behind Cameron. Another mascot, this one covered in shimmering fringe, appears moments later carrying a similar weapon.

As the tension builds, disorienting imagery flashes across the screen, including an endoscopic shot inside a throat, a fellow football player intentionally injuring himself, and more creepy masks.

Finally, Cameron gives Isaiah the answer he was looking for: “Everything.”

Although the response provides a brief respite from the tension, it doesn’t end there. A needle is injected, a pupil dilates, and the madness ramps back up.

In the final shot, a blood-splattered Cameron stands on the field atop a sigil that combines a pentagram with the infinity symbol. He raises his arms in a Christ-like pose to form the I in HIM.

By building intrigue with tone and only scratching the surface in terms of story, the HIM teaser is likely to leave viewers wanting more — which they can get in theaters on September 19.

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