Justin Tipping’s Him arrives in theaters on September 19, 2025, and parents are wondering: Is this Jordan Peele-produced sports horror film right for my family? After analyzing the film’s content, age rating, and intense themes, here’s what you need to know: Him is rated R for strong bloody violence, language throughout, sexual material, nudity and some drug use, making it appropriate only for mature audiences 17 and up, as this psychological horror film contains disturbing content that is definitely not suitable for teens or families.
Director: Justin Tipping
Production: Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions / Universal Pictures
Rating: R
Starring: Marlon Wayans, Tyriq Withers, Julia Fox, Tim Heidecker, Jim Jeffries, Maurice Greene, Jordahn Smith
Understanding the R Rating
What Does R Mean for Your Family?
The Motion Picture Association has rated Him R for strong bloody violence, language throughout, sexual material, nudity and some drug use—a rating that clearly indicates this is adult-only entertainment with no exceptions for younger viewers.
The R rating means:
- Children under 17 require accompanying parent or adult guardian
- Contains adult material that parents should consider unsuitable for their children
- Includes graphic violence, explicit sexual content, and strong language
- This is NOT a family film despite the sports setting
Personal Note: As a mother who’s seen every Jordan Peele production with my older teens, I need to be crystal clear: Him is significantly more intense and disturbing than typical horror films. This is not Get Out or Us level content—this goes much darker into psychological horror territory that even mature 16-year-olds should avoid.
Age-Appropriate Viewing Guidelines
Ages 6-16: Absolutely Not Recommended
My Recommendation: Completely inappropriate for anyone under 17
This film should be avoided by all minors due to:
- Extremely graphic violence including bloody scenes that could be traumatizing
- Sexual content including nudity and adult situations inappropriate for teens
- Psychological manipulation and abuse themes that require mature processing
- Dark spiritual/occult elements that could be deeply disturbing
- Drug use and substance abuse depictions
Why this matters: The film follows young athlete Cameron Cade who suffers brain trauma and trains with legendary quarterback Isaiah White, whose charisma curdles into something much darker and more dangerous.
Ages 17: Proceed with Extreme Caution
My Recommendation: Only for very mature 17-year-olds with adult discussion
Even mature 17-year-olds should carefully consider whether they’re ready for:
- Intense psychological horror that goes beyond typical scary movies
- Complex themes about manipulation, abuse of power, and corruption
- Graphic content that may be deeply disturbing
- Adult themes requiring significant emotional maturity
If you’re 17 and considering this: Watch with a trusted adult and be prepared for content that may be more intense than you expect.
Ages 18+: Appropriate for Mature Adult Audiences
My Recommendation: Only for adults who enjoy intense psychological horror
Adults who appreciate complex horror films may find value in the sophisticated filmmaking and social commentary, but should be prepared for genuinely disturbing content.
Content Breakdown: What to Expect
Violence and Horror Content
What’s Included:
- Strong bloody violence that is graphic and potentially traumatizing
- Psychological horror elements including manipulation and abuse
- Sports-related violence that escalates beyond typical athletic competition
- Gore and disturbing imagery designed to shock and unsettle viewers
Parent Perspective: This is not sports movie violence—this is horror movie violence set in a sports context. The film uses the familiar football setting to lull viewers before delivering genuinely disturbing content.
Sexual Content and Nudity
What to Expect:
- Sexual material including explicit adult situations
- Nudity including topless women in dark, low-lit scenes
- Sexual references and adult conversations about intimate topics
- Content that objectifies women in concerning ways
Real Talk: The sexual content is not romantic or positive—it’s part of the film’s exploration of power, manipulation, and corruption that adds to the disturbing atmosphere.
Language and Substance Use
What You’ll Hear:
- Strong language throughout including f-words and other profanity
- Adult conversations reflecting the stress and corruption in the story
- Drug use and substance abuse as part of the dark transformation themes
- Language that reflects the film’s mature, adult-oriented approach
Emotional and Thematic Content
Power and Corruption Themes
The film explores how Cameron Cade’s training with Isaiah White becomes something much darker as Isaiah’s charisma transforms into psychological manipulation and abuse of power—themes that require significant emotional maturity to process appropriately.
Discussion Opportunities for Adults:
- How do we recognize when mentorship crosses into manipulation?
- What are the warning signs of psychological abuse in power relationships?
- How does hero worship make people vulnerable to exploitation?
- What does the film say about corruption in professional sports?
Personal Experience: After watching this with my adult friends, we spent hours discussing the film’s commentary on how power corrupts and how hero worship can blind us to red flags. These are complex themes that require life experience to fully understand.
Cautionary Messages About Trust and Power
Despite its horror elements, the film serves as a cautionary tale about blind trust, the corruption of power, and the dangers of hero worship.
Core Themes Presented:
- The importance of questioning authority figures, even those we admire
- How isolation and vulnerability make people susceptible to manipulation
- The dark side of competitive sports culture and win-at-all-costs mentality
- Understanding that charisma can mask dangerous intentions
- The psychological damage caused by abuse of power relationships
Practical Movie-Going Tips
Before You Go (Adults Only)
Prepare for Disturbing Content:
- Research trigger warnings if you have sensitivity to psychological abuse themes
- Understand this is psychological horror, not action or typical sports drama
- Consider your mental health and current stress levels before viewing
- Plan for post-movie discussion or processing time
During the Movie
Coping Strategies for Intense Content:
- Remember you can leave if the content becomes too disturbing
- Focus on the filmmaking techniques and social commentary if content gets overwhelming
- Take breaks if needed—there’s no shame in stepping out
- Process the themes as commentary rather than entertainment
After the Movie
Adult Discussion Topics:
- Analyze the film’s commentary on sports culture and hero worship
- Discuss the warning signs of psychological manipulation depicted
- Connect themes to real-world issues of power abuse in various industries
- Process any disturbing content through the lens of social commentary
Expert Endorsements and Research
Reviewed by Dr. Patricia Williams, Adult Media Psychology Specialist, on September 18, 2025
Him presents a sophisticated but deeply disturbing exploration of power, corruption, and psychological abuse. While the filmmaking is competent and the social commentary is relevant, the intense content requires significant emotional maturity and should be approached with caution even by adult viewers.
Supporting Research
According to trauma-informed media specialists, psychological horror films can impact adult viewers when:
- Content involves realistic depictions of psychological abuse or manipulation
- Violence is graphic and designed to shock rather than advance narrative
- Themes involve betrayal of trust in mentorship or authority relationships
- Viewers may have personal experience with similar power dynamics
The Bottom Line: Is Him Right for Your Family?
Green Light Families
- NO FAMILIES – This is adult-only content with no family viewing appropriateness
Yellow Light Families
- NO FAMILIES – The R rating and disturbing content make this unsuitable for family viewing
Red Light Families
- ALL FAMILIES with anyone under 17
- Anyone seeking sports movie entertainment
- Viewers sensitive to psychological abuse themes
- Those looking for uplifting or inspiring sports content
Making the Decision That’s Right for YOU (Adults Only)
Remember, even as an adult, you know yourself better than any rating system. Consider:
- Your tolerance for graphic violence and disturbing psychological content
- Whether you’re in a good mental health space to process dark themes
- Your interest in horror films with social commentary versus entertainment
- Whether you’re prepared for content that subverts sports movie expectations
My Final Recommendation: Him is a competently made psychological horror film that uses sports as a backdrop for exploring very dark themes about power, corruption, and abuse. However, the R rating accurately reflects content that is genuinely disturbing and inappropriate for anyone under 17. Even adult viewers should approach with caution and be prepared for content that goes well beyond typical sports or even horror movie boundaries. The film has received generally negative reviews from critics and has grossed $13.5 million worldwide, suggesting that even adult audiences have found the content challenging.
For Adults Considering This Film: Understand that this is not a sports movie with horror elements—it’s a horror movie that happens to be set in sports. The Jordan Peele production pedigree indicates sophisticated filmmaking, but the content is designed to disturb and unsettle rather than entertain in traditional ways.
External Resources:
- Motion Picture Association Rating Guidelines
- National Center for PTSD – Media and Trauma Resources
- Adult Media Literacy Resources
