Movies
‘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.


Movies
‘Hold the Fort’ Trailer Pits New Homeowners Against an Onslaught of Monsters
Sunrise Films has announced the official North American release of William Bagley‘s horror comedy Hold the Fort, and it’s accompanied by an energetic new trailer.
Hold the Fort debuts on digital platforms on June 23.
In the film, “Lucas and Jenny think their life is finally coming together when the couple become homeowners. Little do they know that their new house comes with a big catch. Lucas and Jenny soon find themselves in a fight for their lives when they become trapped in a battle between their Homeowners Association and an onslaught of monsters from hell. The horror-comedy takes the timely concern of home-ownership and wraps this up in an entertaining action-packed thrill ride.“
Watch the new trailer below, which introduces one wild HOA gathering during an equinox. Things get bloody fast.
Chris Mayers (Adult Swim Yule Log), Haley Leary (“The Walking Dead”), Levi Burdick, and Julian Smith star.
William Bagley writes and directs, in addition to producing with Smith, Matt Dodd, Luke Williams, and Tim Reis (Adult Swim Yule Log).
Ahead of the release, Bagley said, “My goal with this film was to make a hilarious, fast-paced thrill ride while also telling a great story with heart. Hopefully, through all the blood, laughs, fights, and gags, you leave the film feeling inspired to tackle whatever life throws at you.“
Hold the Fort premiered at Fantasia last summer before going on to play FrightFest London, Toronto After Dark, and Beyond Fest.
I wrote in my review, “It’s an infectiously charming assemblage of jokes and monster vignettes bound together by a barebones plot with not much on its mind beyond delivering an entertaining time.”

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