AceShowbiz - For nearly ten years, Jordan Peele has stood out as a major creative force in horror, directing three notable films that combined ambition with strong storytelling. Beyond his directorial efforts, Jordan Peele has leveraged his influence to produce other projects, such as Candyman and Monkey Man. While fans eagerly await Peele’s fourth film as a director, he remains busy producing new titles. One such project is Him, a sports-themed horror movie released last year that centers on a young football star’s relentless quest for greatness.

Although Him had an intriguing premise, its theatrical debut in the fall left audiences and critics underwhelmed. However, the film is now experiencing a resurgence as it gains traction on streaming platforms.

During the week of April 20th through 26th, Him ranked as the seventh most-watched movie on Netflix in the United States, just behind the newly released creature feature Thrash. This marked the first time Him cracked Netflix’s top 10 list.

Despite some compelling ideas and a standout performance by Marlon Wayans, who portrays a legendary quarterback mentoring upcoming football stars, Him faced largely negative reviews upon release. It holds a 31% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 56% audience score, both reflecting mixed feelings from viewers. These lukewarm reactions contributed to the film’s modest box office performance, where it grossed $27.8 million worldwide against a $27 million production budget.

Interestingly, the film’s mixed critical reception may have actually aided its success on Netflix. In the current streaming landscape, it’s common for films with poor theatrical reception to find new appreciation at home. Viewers are more willing to take a chance on a movie when all it requires is pressing play from their living rooms. For original films like Him, negative reviews can deter theatergoers but encourage audiences to wait for the streaming release instead.

Moreover, Him benefited from its recent addition to Netflix’s catalog, debuting on the streaming service on April 19th. New releases often attract large viewership as subscribers frequently browse for fresh content. The film’s subject matter also resonates with a broad American audience, combining the popular horror genre with the widely followed sport of football. The timing coincided closely with the NFL Draft on April 23rd, which likely increased interest among football fans seeking related entertainment.

While Him is not destined to become a horror classic, it possesses notable qualities. Despite an imperfect narrative execution, the film showcases a strong visual style and features some engaging performances. These elements make it worthwhile for viewers to watch at least once, especially in the convenient context of streaming.

In fact, Him serves as an intriguing example of a film that misspells its ambitions but remains interesting to dissect. Unlike typical Netflix originals that may play it safe, this film’s flaws invite curiosity about the filmmakers’ intentions and why the story fell short. It is neither a complete failure nor a universally praised hit, making it a fitting addition for streaming audiences who appreciate a mix of strengths and weaknesses.

As Jordan Peele continues to shape the horror genre both as a director and producer, the trajectory of films like Him highlights the evolving nature of movie success in the streaming era. The contrast between box office disappointment and streaming popularity underscores how different platforms can revive interest in films that might otherwise be overlooked.

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