Moviefone Editorial

Tag: jordan-peele

‘HIM’ Digital Release Interview: Tyriq Withers
18aIYIQ2
Available on digital now and debuting on DVD, Blu-ray, and Ultra HD Blu-ray on November 11th is the new horror movie ‘HIM’, which was co-written and directed by Justin Tipping (‘Kicks’) and produced by Jordan Peele (‘Get Out’), and stars Tyriq Withers (‘I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025)’), Marlon Wayans (‘Requiem for a Dream’), Julia Fox (‘Uncut Gems’), Tim Heidecker (‘Us’), and Jim Jefferies (‘Killing Hasselhoff’).
1eBfWAQQkwFhA9lMUmOsv
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Tyriq Withers about his work on ‘HIM’, his first reaction to the screenplay, how he related to the character, quarterback bootcamp, Cam and Isaiah’s relationship and working with Marlon Wayans, director Justin Tipping’s vision for the project, and finding out he won his role from producer Jordan Peele.

Marlon Wayans is Isaiah (back, pointing) and Tyriq Withers is Cam (foreground) in ‘HIM’, directed by Justin Tipping. Photo: Universal Pictures.

You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interview.

Related Article: 30 Best Football Movies of All Time!

Tyriq Withers as Cameron Cade in ‘HIM’, directed by Justin Tipping. Photo: Universal Pictures.

Moviefone: To begin with, what was your first reaction to the screenplay and the way it blends professional football with the horror genre?

Tyriq Withers: I think it’s a script that I couldn’t put down. Coming from sports, whether it was soccer and transitioning into college football, it was a dream come true to be able to pick up a script that paid its respects to the sport of football. I think it talked about an athlete that was in pursuit of greatness and I think it just transcends sports in a way where it talks to us all who want to pursue greatness. I think that that road to that can get a little hectic and scary in real life. I think that’s the beauty of horror, where you can really exaggerate or hyperbolize themes and the obstacles it takes to reach that level of greatness.

MF: As a former athlete yourself, could you relate to the pressure on Cam and his dedication and sacrifice to pursue greatness on the field?

TW: I think chasing greatness in the world of sports as Tyriq, it was always rooted in love and family and who I was doing it for was my mom. I think Cam’s story is rooted in that with his parents and specifically his father, that he lost. I think that grief of losing his father pushed him even further because there is no literal validation he could get after his father passed and, “This is what my dad would want.” As an athlete, that’s where I lived and as an artist now, that’s where I live, where I want to prove something to my brother that I lost. I think the world of sports and of college football, the crazy interactions with players or coaches, that is a direct reflection within this movie. Obviously, things are heightened in the film, but I think there are certain feelings. There is a beautiful scene where Marlon’s yelling in my face. He’s saying, “What are you willing to sacrifice?” One of the lines was, “Your father didn’t love you.” I think I’ve come from a world of sports where whether it’s middle school, high school or college, where coaches say things to invoke certain emotions to get a certain performance. That’s not a great way to coach. But I pulled from those experiences and in that scene where I’m saying I want to sacrifice everything; you can hear it in my voice because I’m really triggered and frustrated. I think that’s the beauty of art, the catharsis of art, if you will.

(from left) Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans) and Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers) in ‘HIM’, directed by Justin Tipping. Photo: Universal Pictures.

MF: Can you talk about Cam and Isaiah’s mentor/mentee relationship, and did you have a bit of that with Marlon Wayans off screen? Was he an actor that you admired growing up, and if so, what was it like working with him on this project?

TW: Yeah, Marlon is an actor who I have looked up to all my life and not only on screen, but him as a human being, and his comedy. So, there was a mentor/mentee relationship developed initially coming on the set. It didn’t get weird like Cameron and Isaiah. I think watching Cameron’s journey between the respect of his idol and pulling back the layers of who Isaiah White is, allowed him to really see Isaiah for who he truly was and really understand, your idol becomes your rival. You know, that’s the beauty and ugliness of sports, where people you look up to will become your rivals. Where Allen Iverson had to crossover Michael Jordan, and AI grew up loving Jordan, but we must do what we must do. So that was a fun thing to play with and Marlon took me under his wing as a younger brother, or an honorary Wayans, I always say. I’m grateful for that brotherhood.

MF: How did you physically prepare to play this role? Did you go to a quarterback bootcamp or have any type of football training before shooting?

TW: I just kind of went to set and showed up. No, I’m kidding. I went in the gym. I had to get physically in shape. So, I was working out six days a week, twice a day. eating 4,000 calories while going to a football camp with Jordan Palmer training with actual QBs prepping for the NFL draft. So, I got to see the training, but also the interview process, the playwriting process, the studying process, and we had Joe Milton there, who currently plays for the Cowboys. Then, Josh Allen popped through to give some words. So, it was a real authentic football experience to really bring to the character and I carried that on screen. Hopefully that resonates with everyone, because I took it serious coming from football. I played wide receiver, so it was a bit of a transition to learn the quarterback position.

(from left) Marlon Wayans, director Justin Tipping and Tyriq Withers on the set of ‘HIM’, directed by Justin Tipping. Photo: Universal Pictures.

MF: What was director Justin Tipping like to collaborate with on set?

TW: Justin was a beauty to have as a director where he allowed us the freedom to bring ourselves to the role, but also pushing us to places that we couldn’t even imagine. I think his vision, his eye for story, is immaculate and I think there’s certain themes and writing aspects of this film that he fought for that I’m grateful to have. He paid his respects to the sport of football, even though he came from soccer. I think that’s a testament to him as a director, where he’s able to find the common themes and create specific stories. I feel like the more specific a story is, the more universal and relatable it will become, and he created a piece that I think will be studied for generations. I think it will age like fine wine.

MF: Finally, how much interaction did you have with producer Jordan Peele on this project? Was he on set during production and what were some of his contributions while filming?

TW: Yeah, he was on my initial casting Zoom when they told me I got the part. They were like, “Jordan Peele is hopping on the call. Do you know who Jordan Peele is?” I’m like, “Do I know who Jordan Peele is?” He was there to share the news and we had a couple meetings and we got to hang. He came to set a few days, but wasn’t there every day because as a producer, you put the right people in the right positions to curate the art that you want to tell. I think that’s the genius of Jordan Peele, where he knows exactly who to put where. He gave me some words of affirmation and really gave me the extra added confidence to walk on set and really do my thing as Cameron Cade.

(L to R) Director Justin Tipping, Tyriq Withers (as Cam), Producer Jordan Peele, and Marlon Wayans (as Isaiah) on the set of ‘HIM’, from Universal Pictures.

What is the plot of ‘Him’?

When rising quarterback Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers) is attacked by an unhinged fan and suffers a potentially career-ending brain trauma, legendary championship quarterback Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans) offers to train Cam at his isolated compound. But Cam’s training and Isaiah’s charisma soon begin to curdle into something darker, which may cost Cam more than he ever bargained for.

Who is in the cast of ‘Him’?
- Marlon Wayans as Isaiah White
- Tyriq Withers as Cameron Cade
- Julia Fox as Elsie White
- Tim Heidecker as Tom
- Jim Jefferies as Marco
- Naomi Grossman as Marjorie
- Maurice Greene as Malek
- Akeem ‘Guapdad 4000’ Hayes as Murph
- Tierra Whack as Adrienne
- Don Benjamin as Cam Sr.
Jordan Peele attends the Academy’s 2019 Annual Governors Awards in The Ray Dolby Ballroom on Sunday, October 27, 2019, in Hollywood, CA. Credit/Provider: Troy Harvey / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

List of Films Directed Or Produced By Jordan Peele:
- ‘Keanu‘ (2016)
- ‘Get Out‘ (2017)
- ‘BlacKkKlansman‘ (2018)
- ‘Us‘ (2019)
- ‘Candyman‘ (2021)
- ‘Nope’ (2022)
- ‘Wendell & Wild‘ (2022)
- ‘Monkey Man’ (2024)
- ‘Him’ (2025)
Buy Tickets: ‘Him’ Movie Showtimes

Buy Jordan Peele Movies On Amazon
October 16, 2025
Movie Review: ‘Him’
(L to R) Tyriq Withers is Cam, Marlon Wayans is Isaiah, and Maurice Greene is Malek in ‘Him’, directed by Justin Tipping. © Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Opening in theaters September 19 is ‘Him,’ directed by Justin Tipping and starring Marlon Wayans, Tyriq Withers, Julia Fox, Tim Heidecker, Jim Jefferies, Maurice Greene, Tierra Whack, Don Benjamin, and Naomi Grossman.
1eBfWAQQkwFhA9lMUmOsv
Related Article: Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans and Keenen Ivory Wayans to Return For ‘Scary Movie’ Reboot

Initial Thoughts

Tyriq Withers as Cameron Cade in ‘HIM’, directed by Justin Tipping. Photo: Universal Pictures.

Producer Jordan Peele’s name is prominent in the marketing for ‘Him,’ a film that lands in a category that might be called ‘sports horror.’ But while the Peele brand is associated with socially conscious genre fare – particularly the films he’s directed, like ‘Get Out’ and ‘Nope’ – he turns the reins here over to Justin Tipping, who helmed the 2016 urban drama ‘Kicks.’

While Peele himself might have had a different outcome with ‘Him,’ Tipping does not seem on sure footing here. In fact, in an attempt to make ‘Him’ as dream-like and surreal as he can, Tipping turns the film into a progressively manic and borderline nonsensical string of sequences that are edited in such haphazard fashion as to almost induce withdrawal in the viewer. Though not without its merits, ‘Him’ turns out to be the cinematic equivalent of a game that got away.

Story and Direction

(from left) Marlon Wayans, director Justin Tipping and Tyriq Withers on the set of ‘HIM’, directed by Justin Tipping. Photo: Universal Pictures.

Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers) is an up-and-coming college football star who many pundits see as the heir apparent to Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans), the rumored-to-be-retiring superstar quarterback of the fictional San Antonio Saviors. But when a senseless attack leaves Cam with a serious head injury and his career on the line, Isaiah invites him to come train at his secluded underground compound out in the desert, where Isaiah himself will personally determine whether Cam can still make the cut – and help him get there.

It sounds too good to be true, and right off the bat it is: Isaiah’s massive crib/training facility is one of those labyrinthine, vault-like places, full of weird art and winding corridors, that automatically screams ‘bad things happen here.’ Sure enough, Cam’s training becomes increasingly unorthodox and violent, while Isaiah begins to behave in ways that are erratic and even dangerous. As the crucial date for Cam’s meeting with the owners of the Saviors draws near, it becomes apparent that he may have to fight not just for his signing bonus, but for his life.

(L to R) Marlon Wayans (as Isaiah), director Justin Tipping, and Tyriq Withers (as Cam) on the set of ‘HIM’, from Universal Pictures.

‘Him’ lets us know early on that it’s using horror as a metaphor for the toxic masculinity and abusive culture that permeates professional sports. In an early flashback, Cam as a boy watches Isaiah get gravely injured on live television during a playoff game. ‘That’s what men do,’ intones his (soon-to-be-deceased) father. ‘They sacrifice. No guts, no glory.’ Later, at Isaiah’s compound, Isaiah repeatedly barks, ‘This isn’t a f**king game!’ His staff physician injects Cam daily with some unknown substance. Even the cult of personality around certain sports stars gets a sharp poke thanks to the menacing Isaiah fans that hang around outside the gates.

This could all be worthy material in the right hands, and indeed the script by Zack Akers and Skip Bronkie made the prestigious Black List of unproduced screenplays. But Tipping turns it all into a mashup of music video, montage compilation, and fever dream, with frenetic editing, battering-ram sound, and occult imagery that makes less and less sense as it goes on. Perhaps the idea is to make us feel like we’re inside Cam’s already damaged head, but instead of a rising tide of dread and tension we’re just subjected to a string of barely connected episodes that make us feel instead like the movie is falling apart. By the time we find out the answer to what’s behind it all, we no longer care nor are we even sure what the hell it is.

Cast and Performances

Marlon Wayans is Isaiah in ‘HIM’, directed by Justin Tipping. Photo: Universal Pictures.

Although his performance is big – and increasingly over the top and beyond — Marlon Wayans easily holds the screen here. His Isaiah White is charismatic and charming until he’s not – and then he sometimes is again, even after going off the rails one scene earlier. Wayans’ natural presence and abilities provide the most interest in ‘Him,’ especially in one quiet scene toward the end that allows some insight into the character of Isaiah for a moment (“Find your own way to greatness,” he tells Cam, “Don’t be me”) before the mayhem starts up again.

We can’t quite say the same for Tyriq Withers. The former college football star (for real) has the physical prowess and good looks to make for a credible rising phenom, but except for a flash of rage or sadness here and there Withers just doesn’t have the range or expressiveness to carry the film’s critical role. As for the rest of the cast, no one stands out much except Julia Fox as Isaiah’s social influencer (and sex toy peddler) wife, Elsie, with Fox giving her usual downtown girl schtick a witchy twist.

Final Thoughts

Marlon Wayans is Isaiah (back, pointing) and Tyriq Withers is Cam (foreground) in ‘HIM’, directed by Justin Tipping. Photo: Universal Pictures.

There are probably some fascinating horror stories that could come out of the world of sports – particularly when it comes to body horror and the way that athletic competition can crush both the flesh and spirit – but despite its ambitions, ‘Him’ is not one of those movies.

Whatever was in that original script by Akers and Bronkie just seems to get lost here in Tipping’s frenzied, headache-inducing style of direction. ‘Him’ just pummels you with nonstop, almost assaultive imagery that is both nightmarish and gratuitous. If it’s meant to make the viewer feel like he’s getting hammered on all sides by the other team’s defensive line – well, perhaps in that regard it succeeds, but as a movie, not so much.

‘Him’ receives a score of 45 out of 100.

‘HIM’, directed by Justin Tipping. Photo: Universal Pictures.

What is the plot of ‘Him’?

When rising quarterback Cameron Cade is attacked by an unhinged fan and suffers a potentially career-ending brain trauma, legendary championship quarterback Isaiah White offers to train Cam at his isolated compound. But Cam’s training and Isaiah’s charisma soon begin to curdle into something darker, which may cost Cam more than he ever bargained for.

Who is in the cast of ‘Him’?
- Marlon Wayans as Isaiah White
- Tyriq Withers as Cameron Cade
- Julia Fox as Elsie White
- Tim Heidecker as Tom
- Jim Jefferies as Marco
- Naomi Grossman as Marjorie
- Maurice Greene as Malek
- Akeem ‘Guapdad 4000’ Hayes as Murph
- Tierra Whack as Adrienne
- Don Benjamin as Cam Sr.
(L to R) Director Justin Tipping, Tyriq Withers (as Cam), Producer Jordan Peele, and Marlon Wayans (as Isaiah) on the set of ‘HIM’, from Universal Pictures.

List of Films Directed Or Produced By Jordan Peele:
- ‘Keanu‘ (2016)
- ‘Get Out‘ (2017)
- ‘BlacKkKlansman‘ (2018)
- ‘Us‘ (2019)
- ‘Candyman‘ (2021)
- ‘Nope’ (2022)
- ‘Wendell & Wild‘ (2022)
- ‘Monkey Man’ (2024)
- ‘Him’ (2025)
Buy Tickets: ‘Him’ Movie Showtimes

Buy Jordan Peele Movies On Amazon
Nw7z4vMX
September 18, 2025
Universal Dates Next Jordan Peele Movie for Christmas 2024
(L to R) Daniel Kaluuya and Writer/Director/Producer Jordan Peele on the set of ‘Nope.’ © 2022 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Jordan Peele has clearly earned Universal’s trust. And following the success of ‘Get Out’, ‘Us’ and last year’s ‘Nope’, it’s perhaps not all that surprising that the studio would see him as a heavy hitter.

There are few bigger examples of confidence than lining up a filmmaker’s new title –– without any real details to share –– in a competitive release slot, and Peele’s latest faces a real one.

His next film, the fourth he’s written and directed, will be in theaters on 25 December 2024. That’s right: Christmas Day!

To make it more exciting/challenging, that date is exactly one week after the arrival of both ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’ (which we would figure as less of a threat, since Peele’s movies are rarely aimed at kids and families) and James Cameron’s third ‘Avatar’ movie.

That one is more likely to be a challenge, especially since the ‘Avatar’ films have been adept at steamrollering over other releases. The original 2009 film remains the highest grossing modern film, with more than $2.9 billion in the bank. But follow-up ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ is no slouch in that department either, having earned more than $2.3 billion for third place on the list.

Skeptics keep pointing to ‘Avatar’ fatigue as a problem for the franchise moving forward but given ‘The Way of Water’s results so far, that’s unlikely.

(L to R) Daniel Kaluuya and director Jordan Peele on the set of ‘Get Out.’

Related Article: Movie Review: ‘Nope’

What will Jordan Peele’s new film be about?

So what do we know about the new film from Peele? Nothing, at least for now. In keeping with his usual style, Peele has this far said nothing about the title, genre or cast for the new movie.

He’s a filmmaker whose work always carries subtext and themes –– ‘Get Out’ appeared to be a relationship drama at first but used the frame of White Guilt to spin a yarn about terrifying experimentation and exploitation on a racially-motivated front. ‘Us’ explored doppelgangers and disenfranchisement to horrifying effect, while ‘Nope’ headed in a more spectacular direction, subverting expectations of an alien encounter story to touch on historic exclusion.

The Christmas Day date doesn’t necessarily mean this will be a festive chiller, but we could certainly imagine the director using something about the season to dig deeper.

That wasn’t the only film announcement to have Peele connections.

Universal, in the same statement, also revealed that a new film from his Monkeypaw production company will also hit theaters –– this one on September 27th, 2024. Even fewer details were released for this one; we don’t even know who is making it.

Daniel Kaluuya in ‘Nope,’ written and directed by Jordan Peele. © 2022 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

What other movies has Jordan Peele produced?

The new movies is the latest to arrive from Monkeypaw, with past productions including the ‘Candyman’ reboot/sequel, satire ‘Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul’ and Spike Lee’s ‘BlacKkKlansman’.

Whatever Peele has up his sleeve, we certainly can’t wait to see what he does next… Even if he does end up making us all afraid of what could be coming down the chimney one cold December night…

Writer and director Jordan Peele.

Other Films By Jordan Peele:
- ‘Keanu‘ (2016)
- ‘Get Out‘ (2017)
- ‘BlacKkKlansman‘ (2018)
- ‘Us‘ (2019)
- ‘Candyman‘ (2021)
- ‘Nope (2022)
- ‘Wendell & Wild‘ (2022)
Buy Jordan Peele Movies On Amazon
March 22, 2023
Movie Review: ‘Nope’

(L to R) Daniel Kaluuya and Writer/Director/Producer Jordan Peele on the set of ‘Nope.’ © 2022 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Opening in theaters on July 22nd is the latest movie from Oscar-winning filmmaker Jordan Peele called ‘Nope.’ The movie stars Oscar-winner Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer as brother and sister ranch owners who discover a UFO.

In addition to Kaluuya and Palmer, the cast also includes Oscar-nominee Steven Yeun, Brandon Perea, Michael Wincott, and Keith David. The result is a truly thrilling, original, and at times funny take on the alien invasion genre featuring standout performances from Kaluuya and Palmer.

The film begins with an odd side-story about a 90’s sitcom starring a chimpanzee, who during a taping killed most of the cast and crew. We then meet Otis Haywood (David) and his son OJ (Kaluuya), who own a ranch outside of Los Angeles and also train horses for film and TV. When strange objects begin to fall out of the sky, Otis is killed by the falling debris.

Months later, OJ is working on the set of a commercial with his unreliable sister Emerald (Palmer), and a cinematographer named Antlers Holst (Wincott). When the shoot doesn’t go as planned, OJ begins selling some of his horses to a carnival owner named Ricky “Jupe” Park (Yeun), with the intent on eventually buying them back. But Emerald recognizes Park, and it is revealed that he was a child actor and the lone survivor of the doomed sitcom with the chimpanzee.

Daniel Kaluuya in ‘Nope,’ written and directed by Jordan Peele. © 2022 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

OJ eventually confides in Emerald that he does not believe that falling debris from an airplane killed their father, and that he believes it was actually a UFO. Wanting to get proof, and thinking that will make them rich and famous, the two enlist Fry’s Electronics salesman Angel Torres (Perea), and Antlers Holst, to help them capture footage of the spaceship. But after a terrible tragedy at Park’s carnival, OJ begins to think that the object in the sky is not an alien spaceship, but rather a giant alien itself.

Actor and comedian Jordan Peele made the jump to directing with his surprise hit movie and Oscar nominated film ‘Get Out’ in 2017. Since then, he has won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay and directed the acclaimed horror film ‘Us’ in 2019. In a few short years Peele has completely reinvigorated the horror genre and become one of the most original and interesting filmmakers working today. His latest outing is no different, delivering a fresh and original take on the “alien’s attack” theme, which is often quite funny in a very organic way.

Peele has also become a master at deconstructing the expectations of the horror genre, as well as moving the camera in an interesting way. The movie is filled with jump scares, but they never feel forced and in fact enhance the creepiness and mood of the film. Peele’s cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema beautifully captures the vast vistas of the ranch, while contrasting that with the horrors of the movie.

Peele also makes some brilliant choices with the pacing of the movie and the way he shows the terror of the alien moving through the open skies. While it doesn’t really connect till the end of the movie, I really enjoyed the side-story of the 90’s sitcom with the chimpanzee. It helps to illustrate the theme of the movie, which OJ actually says at one point, about how we as humans need to leave apex predators in nature alone.

Steven Yeun in ‘Nope,’ written and directed by Jordan Peele. © 2022 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Special credit should go to Peele and his team for their unique take on what an alien creature can look like. I’m so tired of seeing movies that feature aliens with the creatures often looking like copies of the Xenomorph from the ‘Alien’ franchise. The extra-terrestrials in this movie are completely original, and look like nothing we’ve seen before, adding to the originality of this film.

The acting in the movie is excellent, all the way down to supporting performances from Brandon Perea and Michael Wincott. As Angel, Perea plays the enthusiastic outsider and the eyes of the audience, but also layers in a very funny performance. Wincott, a veteran actor you will recognize from ‘The Crow,’ was perfectly cast as the grizzled Hollywood cinematographer who tries to help the Haywood’s get their photographic evidence.

Keith David also gives a nice performance as Otis Haywood, but I wish he had at least one more scene in the beginning of the movie to make his death resonate more with the audience. It’s also worth noting that motion capture actor Terry Notary (‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’) plays Gordy, the chimpanzee in flashbacks. Having played King Kong in ‘Kong: Skull Island,’ Notary was maybe the only actor that could play this role, and actually injects vulnerability and a sense of regret to the animal’s actions.

Rounding out the supporting cast is Steven Yeun, who gives a very good performance as Ricky “Jupe” Park. Although the character could have been more fleshed out in the present day, his flashback scenes tell you everything you need to know about why he is still chasing fame, and the overall fear that he has lived with since that traumatic event happened in his past.

Keke Palmer in ‘Nope,’ written and directed by Jordan Peele. © 2022 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

The breakout performance award goes to actress Keke Palmer, who is an absolute delight to watch. Palmer plays Emerald as the annoying younger sister to OJ, more concerned with achieving fame and money than continuing her family’s legacy. But the actress is also very funny in the movie, in an organic way, that is in stark contrast to Kaluuya’s quiet and brooding performance. The two actors have fantastic chemistry together on screen and are completely believable as brother and sister.

But it is Daniel Kaluuya’s strong performance that really anchors the film. The actor, who has giving standout performances in ‘Sicario,’ ‘Get Out,’ ‘Black Panther,’ ‘Queen & Slim,’ and ‘Judas and the Black Messiah,’ for which he won his Oscar, demonstrates again in ‘Nope’ that he is one of the finest actors of his generation. Kaluuya is completely believable in the role and makes for an unlikely hero by the film’s end.

In the end, with ‘Nope’ Jordan Peele has delivered a stunningly beautiful movie, that transcends its own genre by telling a fresh take on the “alien invasion” theme with brilliant performances from the entire cast.

‘Nope’ receives 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Daniel Kaluuya in ‘Nope,’ written and directed by Jordan Peele. © 2022 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
G8a49ufGYNF2LsFWk3rc14

July 20, 2022
Latest Trailer For ‘Nope’ Reveals More of the Story

Daniel Kaluuya in ‘Nope,’ written and directed by Jordan Peele. © 2022 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

So far, in keeping with its creator’s wishes, the promotional campaign for Jordan Peele’s new horror thriller ‘Nope’ has been heavy on the mystery. We’ve been introduced to some basic story elements and the main characters, but the question of what is actually happening in the movie has mostly been left to guesswork. Which is exactly what a teaser or trailer should do: leave you wanting to know and see more.

For the latest trailer, which premiered to CinemaCon audiences this past April, the wrapping has been taken off a little further, so our advice for anyone wishing to stay completely unspoiled would be to skip this one and wait for the movie itself.

Everyone else? Let’s dig in…

‘Nope’ features Daniel Kaluuya (working again with the director after his Oscar-winning debut ‘Get Out’) and Keke Palmer as sibling OJ and Emerald Haywood, who run a horse ranch in a lonely gulch in inland California catering to the film industry.

From the looks of this new trailer, OJ is happy working the ranch with their father (Keith David), while Emerald is more in search of fame. So, when weird things start happening – especially in terms of the sky above, OJ’s worried, but Emerald sees a chance at riches.

When their dad dies after something falls from the clouds, the brother and sister approach a group of others to help them capture footage of what they suspect is an alien incursion. And, of course, things just get weirder and scarier from there.
IjGp5Jm7
Peele has filled the movie – and therefore this trailer – with all manner of striking imagery, including a ranch house bathed in blood from above, the audience of a rodeo (to say nothing of some of the main cast) swept up in the sky and that final money/“Oprah”, to use Emerald’s parlance, moment of OJ riding a horse as what appears to be a flying saucer swoops down towards him.

Of course, this being Jordan Peele, you know the movie will have more layers than just a basic story of terror from the sky. If ‘Get Out’ and ‘Us’ have taught us anything, ‘Nope’ will be filled with thematic material and meditations on modern life, all told through the medium of gut-wrenching horror.

In addition to Kaluuya, Palmer and David the cast includes Steven Yeun (as the seeming owner of a rodeo attraction) Brandon Perea, Michael Wincott, Wrenn Schmidt, Donna Milles and Barbie Ferreira.

“I’m always attracted by my favorite movie I haven’t seen before,” Peele, said at CinemaCon. “My plan is to bring these new ideas and nightmares to the big screen.” He’s reportedly worked with IMAX to develop new camera gear to capture shots we’ve not seen before. And while he’s never been about imagery over story, we’re still intrigued to see what he’s come up with.

‘Nope’ will land in theaters on July 22nd.

Keke Palmer in ‘Nope,’ written and directed by Jordan Peele. © 2022 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Steven Yeun in ‘Nope,’ written and directed by Jordan Peele. © 2022 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

(L to R) Daniel Kaluuya and Writer/Director/Producer Jordan Peele on the set of ‘Nope.’ © 2022 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
G8a49ufGYNF2LsFWk3rc14

June 9, 2022
Halloween Horror Night’s ‘Us’ House Will Scare You Silly

Universal

Jordan Peele’s “Us,” released earlier this year to rapturous critical acclaim and big box office numbers, is a movie that rewards repeat viewings, mostly due to its rich subtext, cultural relevancy and expertly hidden pop culture nods. But it’s also a movie that viscerally thrills you, creating an apocalyptic world that you can’t help but imagine yourself in. So, it is with great anticipation that the “Us” maze opens this weekend at Universal Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights (the Florida iteration opened this past weekend; we couldn’t make the press event and are very sad about it). With this new maze, you can enter Jordan Peele’s imagination like never before.

We were given a tour by Halloween Horror Nights mastermind John Murdy, who walked us around the unfinished mazes with the efficiency of someone who had dreamed the whole thing up in the first place. Spoilers will follow, for both the film and the maze, so proceed with caution – and watch where you step!

When you get to the maze, you go through the funhouse that you see at the beginning of the movie, and Murdy joked that the first scare of the maze comes from the unlikeliest of places: an intentionally crummy-looking owl puppet that mirrors a similar gag from the movie. As you make your way through the funhouse, you eventually wind up at the house of Lupita Nyong’o and Winston Duke’s, with real performers portraying some of the members of the Tethered, the supernatural subterranean doppelgängers (oh, you’re going to be freaked) and eventually you go through the second, modern day funhouse and while you don’t actually descend into the underground labyrinth, you do get a chance to see the rabbits (stationary, unfortunately) and the classroom where what Murdy calls the “dance of death” takes place. There’s even an ode to the movie’s haunting final shot of the Tethered, now Untethered, stretched as far as the eye can see…

Murdy said that this was a tough maze to conceptualize, because the movie is so rich with metaphor and meaning (and isn’t, say, a standard slasher movie) and because it changes locations so often. (Don’t worry, you get to see a great scene set in Tim Heidecker and Elisabeth Moss’ house, complete with an homage to “The Shining” and a moment when the actress playing Moss’ double cuts her face along the surgery line like in the movie) But judging by our walkthrough, which this cannot be stressed enough, was happening in harsh daylight and was very much unfinished, they did an excellent job of capturing the spirit of the movie and turning the entire experience into a funhouse all its own.

Also interesting to note, Murdy said that the team had the rights to use Michael Abels’ chilling score, including the “Tethered Mix” of “I Got 5 On It” and that really creepy choral main theme. So, if your skin wasn’t crawling already …

Halloween Horror Nights runs on select nights at Universal Studios Hollywood from September 13^th to November 3^rd and in Orlando from now until November 2^nd. So get on it. We’ll have more coverage very soon.

September 10, 2019
Jordan Peele’s ‘Us’ Will Terrify Maze Seekers at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights

Universal

Watch out for your evil doppelganger in Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights!

The attraction is adding a new maze inspired by Jordan Peele’s nightmarish thriller “Us.”

The “Us” maze will have callbacks to key components of the movie, from the unnerving labyrinth of underground tunnels to the disorienting and the ominous uprising of “The Tethered”— doppelgängers of every living man, woman and child in the country.

Visitors will soon understand the tagline: “We are our own worst enemy.”

Maze-goers will follow in the footsteps of the young girl they first meet as Adelaide Wilson as she innocently ventures through a mirror funhouse at the Santa Cruz boardwalk and has a fateful and traumatic encounter with her tethered doppelgänger, an event that will forever alter both of their lives. Visitors will then be thrust into the chaos of “The Tethered” uprising as they emerge from their tunnels to murder their privileged doubles in a nationwide coordinated act of rebellion.

“It’s very exciting to know that fans of ‘Us’ will get to experience firsthand the terror of being stalked and tormented by ‘The Tethered,’” said Peele.

“It’s been a lifelong ambition of mine to create a monster that would scare people on Halloween, so having ‘The Tethered’ join such esteemed company is a dream come true.”

This year’s Halloween Horror Nights will also feature mazes inspired by “Ghostbusters,” “Killer Klowns From Outer Space,” and “Creepshow.”

August 7, 2019
‘Us’ Star Tim Heidecker Refused to Read the Last Few Pages of the Script

Universal/Blumhouse

“Us” is a movie that we still can’t stop thinking about. Released earlier this spring, Jordan Peele’s sophomore effort as a writer/director (after the zeitgeist-capturing, Oscar-winning “Get Out”) was even more ambitious, thoughtful, and provocative. The story, ostensibly of a family (led by Lupita Nyong’o) who encounter their violent, jumpsuit-clad doppelgangers while on a vacation getaway, is terrifying and surreal, every bit the masterpiece that “Get Out” was. (“Us” is now on digital HD and on Blu-ray tomorrow, so we can now re-watch the movie endlessly for all of the things we missed the first time around.)

Recently we jumped on the phone to chat with Tim Heidecker, who plays Josh and his violent double Tex. Josh is a friend of the Lupita’s family and a neighbor in the seaside retreat, wealthy and boorish, who suffers a similar fate – confronted by his evil double and all that nasty stuff lurking inside himself.

We talked about how Heidecker got involved in the project, what Peele shared with him about the larger world of the Tethered and whether or not he’d come back for more adventures in this wonderfully warped world.

Moviefone: how did you sort of initially get involved with the project?

Tim Heidecker: I got the call from my agent t, meet with Jordan who wanted to talk to me about the movie and I said, “Okay, sure. Let’s talk.” Knowing he was doing something cool, he just said, “I wrote this part in the movie, I think you’d be great for it and I hope you can do it.” And that was pretty much it. I was onboard.

Jordan has talked pretty openly about how he has the whole world of “Us” figured out. But how much of that did he share with you, especially when it came to the characters you play?

Not much. I’m happy he’s got it figured out, but we focused on the scenes that were in the movie. And we talked a little bit about the overall concept of the tethered and how Tex is this version of Josh. So it informed a little bit of the humor that you see in the way Tex moves and the way he communicates and stuff. But no he didn’t lay down his map of the whole thing. But I was happy. I don’t need to know. I didn’t want to know everything. I didn’t want to read the ending of the script because I just wanted to see it like everybody else.

Did you end up reading it?

No. I did not read the last five pages. I wasn’t in at, first of all, so what do I need? Why do I need to know? I want to see it. I want to be surprised.

Can you talk about the look of Tex?

Well the look for Tex is informed by the way that the tethered look and their jumpsuit was going to be uniform with everybody else and there’s only so much we can do with everything else. There was some creative makeup and making new look a little more whole and gaunt. It was a little more collaborative with the Josh character and the style that he would have. And the tattoos of course were just fun. I had a guy that I know that I worked with once in mind for Josh. And Jordan was also thinking about tattoos. I said, “Oh, I got it. I know who this guy is now.” We enjoyed building that and talking about what kind of ironic rock and roll tee shirts this guy would wear. He’s a guy that wants to be seen as dangerous and edgy. But he’s also rich and as a dad. And so it was a mix of that; the weekend warrior kind of guy.

Whose idea was it to have the kimono over his jumpsuit?

I think it’s in the script. I think Jordan who’s making all these moves happen. We went back and forth on the kimonos. I have the backup kimono at home with me, which I love. But the one they picked was like, this was going to look good with blood on it, that’s for sure.

Warner Bros.

Well, I was going to ask her, are you a fan of the horror genre?

I’m not really a horror nerd. I don’t see them all when they all come out. But the good ones. You know, that’s the great thing about “Get Out” was there was a quality to it that is above the fray of some of the other ones. But I love “The Shining” and David Lynch movies I think are in a lot of ways horror movies. But I don’t see all of the “Friday the 13^th” movies or anything.

There’s a great moment where Tex holds out his hand and then whips it back in the “too slow” motion. Where did that come from?

You know what’s bugging me is I can’t remember and I don’t have the script anymore because you get these scripts that are watermarked and they expire. So I can’t see if it’s in the original script. I’m going to say it is. So much of what’s good in that movie was in the script and I was just a lucky to have a good script. You’ve got to sell it, too, so I’m doing my part.

What was it like working with Jordan? You guys share a very rich comedy background obviously.

It was a blast. We speak the same language comedy wise. We knew each other a little bit. Him and his producing partner Ian and everybody involved in making the movie seems to be really happy I was there. He thought it was this cool move that he put me in the movie. He just thought it was like this subtle, kind of a strange move that he didn’t just go to another, more known actor or something. I don’t know. He just thought it was a fun move for him to pull to put me in the movie. And the fact that he could make those kinds of decisions on a big movie like that. And he’s going to put Tim Heidecker in this movie. I think he was just really enjoyed having me there.

I’m just an actor in a movie and I’m just happy to be there. I come on time and I’m an easy guy to work with. I think. I try to be and I try to be light and make jokes and not be a pain in the ass. So it was really fun and it was collaborative in that Jordan wanted my feedback and let me improvise around the lines a little bit. It was a blast. It was one of only movies I’ve done where I went to set when I wasn’t required to be on set because it was fun to be there. It was fun to be around those people and see him work and focus in on making the movie.

There are rumors that there will be an “Us”-themed haunted house at a Universal this Halloween. Would you want to attend?

Oh my god. If they will hooked me up with a free pass for me and my wife, I would be happy to go. I don’t know if I would pay to go, that’d be a strange experience. But that would be cool. Now that you say it, I can picture the whole thing. It sounds cool. Rabbits and stuff.

Jordan has teased that there could be other movies in this universe. If he mounted a sequel or spin-off, would you come back?

Of course. I would pick up his call on the first ring.

“Us” is available on digital HD now and Blu-ray tomorrow.

June 17, 2019
Jordan Peele’s ‘Twilight Zone’ Reboot Renewed for Season 2

CBS All Access

Midway through the first season of Jordan Peele‘s star-studded reboot of classic sci-fi TV series “The Twilight Zone,” CBS All Access has renewed the show for season two.

In announcing the renewal, the streaming service praised Peele’s creative vision, and noted that the series has been a runaway hit since its launch earlier this month.

“Jordan Peele and Simon Kinberg’s reimagining of ‘The Twilight Zone’ is off to an amazing start on CBS All Access, driving the most viewers on its premiere day for an original series to date,” said Julie McNamara, executive vice president of original content at CBS All Access, in a statement. “Jordan, Simon, the creative team and cast have done a phenomenal job translating the series’ legacy of socially conscious storytelling for modern-day audiences. They are master storytellers, and we look forward to bringing fans further into ‘The Twilight Zone’ with a second season.”

Inspired by the iconic original series, which was hosted and narrated by Rod Serling and ran on CBS from 1959 to 1965, this modern take on the “Twilight Zone” formula features Peele in Serling’s role (he also co-created and produces the show). Peele and co. have assembled an all-star cast for their version, including Kumail Nanjiani, Tracy Morgan, Adam Scott, Sanaa Lathan, Steven Yeun, and John Cho. Future episodes are set to feature Seth Rogen, Zazie Beetz, Ike Barinholtz, DeWanda Wise, and Jessica Williams, along with many, many others.

New episodes of “The Twilight Zone” premiere on Thursdays on CBS All Access.

[via: TVLine]

April 29, 2019
Extended ‘Twilight Zone’ Trailer Gives a Chilling Deep Look into Jordan Peele’s Mind

CBS All-Access

This is Jordan Peele’s world and we’re (gladly) just living in it.

The Oscar winner is riding high on the huge success of his second feature, “Us.” And now, he’s about to present his reboot of “The Twilight Zone,” which debuts April 1 on CBS All-Access. April Fool’s indeed.

Peele serves as the executive producer and narrator of the reboot, much like Rod Serling did for the seminal sci-fi/fantasy/horror/thriller series that first ran from 1959 to 1964.

The new trailer features a bunch of chilling new footage, with flashes of some of the later episodes we haven’t seen yet. Most of the characters look anxious or panicked, as they confront strange occurrences, suffer from paranoia, and generally feel like reality is getting warped.

As one character says, “When the world is trying to tell you something, it will repeat itself until you get it.”

The series consists of 10 episodes and boasts an all-star cast including:
Ike Barinholtz, John Cho, Taissa Farmiga, Ginnifer Goodwin, Greg Kinnear, Sanaa Lathan, Tracy Morgan, Kumail Nanjiani, Seth Rogen, Adam Scott, Rhea Seehorn, Allison Tolman, Jacob Tremblay, Jessica Williams and Steven Yeun.

“Twilight Zone” premieres April 1 with two episodes. After that the anthology will air weekly Thursdays starting April 11 on CBS All-Access.

March 27, 2019