When Julia Fox, actress opened up about her new role, the headline wasn’t about scares – it was about serenity. In a candid SYFY Wire interview on August 28, 2025, the 34‑year‑old Italian‑American star said, “I don’t enjoy adrenaline any more. I just want everything to be calm and soft.” Fox made those remarks while promoting Him, the supernatural horror picture that hit U.S. theaters on September 19, 2025.
Background and Production
The film, officially titled HimUnited States, also rolls under the international moniker GOAT in several markets. Justin Tipping directed and co‑wrote the script with Zack Akers and Skip Bronkie. Production was spearheaded by Monkeypaw Productions, the company founded by Jordan Peele, alongside producers Ian Cooper, Win Rosenfeld and Jamal M. Watson. Principal photography kicked off on January 15, 2024, in Albuquerque, New Mexico and wrapped April 28 after a grueling 104‑day shoot.
Box Office Performance
Despite a modest budget of $27 million, Him struggled to recoup its costs. Box Office Mojo reported a domestic haul of $24,929,335 by October 13, 2025, with another $2,633,239 from overseas territories, totaling $27,562,574 worldwide – essentially break‑even. The movie opened in 3,100 North American theaters, pulling $6.5 million on day one (including $2 million from Thursday previews) and $13,251,560 over its opening weekend, landing second behind the lingering juggernaut Demon Slayer. The numbers suggest the horror‑thriller niche remains competitive, especially when a film leans heavily on style over substance.
Critical Reception
Critics were uniformly harsh. Roger Ebert’s September 20, 2025 review called the dialogue “dreadful” and labeled Fox’s performance “wooden,” adding that a 53‑year‑old Wayans seemed mis‑cast. The review also lambasted the film’s inconsistent horror logic, noting how the demonic “glittering mascot wielding a sledgehammer” flip‑flopped between internal hallucination and external threat with no clear rules.
Rotten Tomatoes compiled a 32 % approval rating from 147 reviews as of October 24, 2025, summarizing that “HIM has style to spare but botches its promising conceit with rookie execution.” Audience scores hovered in the low‑40s, reflecting a disconnect between the movie’s visual flair and its narrative cohesion.
Cast Insights and Fox’s Comments
Fox’s role as Elsie White, a social‑media influencer married to aging football star Isaiah White (played by Marlon Wayans), was meant to subvert the usual “arm‑candy” football‑wife trope. In the SYFY Wire chat, she explained, “She kind of looked like the way I looked when I came to New Mexico. I thought I’d be undergoing a full transformation into a housewife of Dallas, but it didn’t really go that way.” Fox appreciated the freedom to explore idiosyncrasies, saying the production let her “play with the idiosyncrasies of her character.”
Other notable cast members included rising football talent Tyriq Withers as Cameron Cade, comedian Tim Heidecker, and Australian comedian Jim Jefferies. The film also marked the acting debuts of heavyweight MMA fighter Maurice Greene, rapper Guapdad 4000, and Grammy‑nominated singer Tierra Whack.
Future Outlook and Home Release
Industry analysts expect the movie to find a modest audience on streaming. The Irish Times interview, published October 1, 2025, hinted at a digital debut slated for November 3, 2025, with Blu‑ray and DVD following on December 2. While the box‑office run was underwhelming, the film’s distinctive visual palette – shot by cinematographer Kira Kelly in a 2.39:1 widescreen frame – could attract genre enthusiasts looking for a new horror aesthetic.
Ultimately, Fox’s personal shift away from adrenaline‑fueled projects may signal a broader trend among younger stars seeking steadier, more “soft” roles after intense breakout successes. Whether Him becomes a cult classic or fades into the background, the conversation around its production – from Monkeypaw’s involvement to Fox’s candid interview – will linger longer than the movie’s 96‑minute runtime.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Him affect Julia Fox’s career trajectory?
The film’s mixed reception may pause Fox’s momentum in high‑profile horror, but her openness about craving calmer projects could open doors to indie dramas or character‑driven series where her nuanced style can shine.
What were the main reasons critics panned Him?
Reviewers cited a weak script, uneven horror logic, and wooden performances – especially from Fox and Wayans – as core flaws. The visual flair was praised, but critics felt style couldn’t compensate for narrative holes.
When will the movie be available for streaming?
The Irish Times reported a digital release set for November 3, 2025, followed by physical media (Blu‑ray and DVD) on December 2, 2025.
Who were the key producers behind the film?
Monkeypaw Productions led the effort, with Jordan Peele, Ian Cooper, Win Rosenfeld and Jamal M. Watson serving as producers. Executive producers David Kern and Kate Oh also contributed.
What does the box‑office performance tell us about the horror market in 2025?
A $27 million budget barely breaking even illustrates that visual spectacle alone isn’t enough; audiences are rewarding horror films that pair strong storytelling with fresh scares, as seen with the higher‑earning titles that dominated September 2025.