HIM Star Tyriq Withers on His New Horror Thriller, Chasing Greatness, Marlon Wayans and More! (Exclusive)
With the supernatural horror thriller HIM now available on premium video on demand, we were recently able to catch up with the star of the film, Tyriq Withers (I know what you did last summer; Atlanta), to talk about his riveting performance as Cameron Cade, a young football star who finds himself on a frightening new journey to becoming the greatest of all time.
In our informative conversation, we go over his former career as a college football player at Florida State, the physical toll the film took on him, the vulnerability of his character, all the personal encounters with GOAT and much more!
In addition to Withers, the Justin Tipping-directed film also stars Marlon Wayans (White chicks; Horror movie), Julia Fox (Uncut gemstones; No sudden movement), Tim Heidecker (Tim and Eric’s bedtime stories; We), Jim Jefferies (Legitimate; The Jim Jefferies Show), and Maurice Greene (Love Boat: the next wave; Dancing with the stars).
HIM is available now on PVOD and is scheduled to debut on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on November 7 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.
Watch our full discussion below and/or keep scrolling to read the full transcript. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more exclusive content!
ROHAN: How did your experience as a college football player influence your portrayal of Cam?
TYRIQ: Yeah, I played college football and, you know, I played at Florida State and I played football growing up, so I think a lot of it is instinctual when it comes to what an athlete does, you know, the way coaches talk to you if you mess up, or, you know, the camaraderie you have with other players. I think that instinct of when you throw me a football, what should I do with the ball, I think that’s something you can’t really teach. And so, I think the osmosis of the old football experience with Cameron Cade was necessary, and then, also, focusing on the more quarterback role of the role, where, you know, I had to go to football camp for a while with Jordan Palmer, training with real NFL-related quarterbacks and observing their mannerisms and studying how they throw, or who do I want to throw like or their ticks, and then, working out in the gym, getting that physique of a real NFL quarterback was important to me. So, yes, I drew a lot from past experience, but I also created a new toolbox of what a quarterback is.
ROHAN: Compared to your previous roles, this part really pushes you to a vulnerable place. What kind of challenge did this present to you?
TYRIQ: Yes, I think that’s what I love about art, where it explores past trauma and taps into the psyche of what you’ve experienced. And I think, I always say that history is a river of grief, not only of the loss of a parent but, you know, of grieving yourself or someone – I think there’s a quote in the movie where it’s like chasing greatness, it’s surviving who you once were, who you once were. And I think that, you know, I was really able to explore who I was as a person, and, you know, the trauma and the grief that I explored, and build a healthy relationship with that, and I got to amplify and be a vehicle for that grief to put in front of the camera so that others could feel more seen watching the film, and, you know, I think with a safe crew, safe filmmakers to really bring it to life. the story, you know, I think it was organic to go to these dark places and I really sit there for this film.
ROHAN: The film has a few alternate endings on home video – when filming, were you always aware of the theatrical ending or was that something that was determined later?
TYRIQ: I think you hit the head where every ending is like an exploration of what if, or, you know, finding who Cameron really is. And, ultimately, I had no idea what the true ending would be or what scenes they would keep and reconfigure for something else. But I think that’s the beauty of art, where you can just show up and trust your filmmakers and really explore and play out different versions of what could have happened, and I think they knew that fans would ask those questions of if or what happened next.
ROHAN: What was your experience working with Marlon Wayans? And being able to see his process and learn from him?
TYRIQ: Yeah, I think it’s a testament to Marlon’s level of performer, and, you know, I think the greatest comedians come from those who have suffered the most, and I think he’s been through so much in his life, and to see him evoke that and put it into a dramatic performance was very eye-opening and inspiring because, you know, one day I hope I can be that level of comedic actor and dramatic actor. And I think it’s not necessary to live too much in one space, but rather I want to be a spectrum of the human experience. And, yes, it was an honor to see Marlon go places and discover more about himself, you know, build a relationship, a new relationship, with grief, and see how his grief manifested itself in the character and what made him emotional, or the places he would go to give a performance, and the freedom he had to really try things.
ROHAN: The film gets really violent towards the end. Was there a particular sequence that you found a little more difficult to shoot?
TYRIQ: Yeah, I would say what was difficult to shoot was, of course, I think both, you know, the fight scene with me and Marlon, because it’s like a dance. You want to make sure everyone is safe, you want to make sure it’s physical, but also there’s emotional beats. And then the end, where it’s the same thing, where there’s a level of emotion that the character carries, and it mixes with the choreography of a fight scene. And, you know, I think with blood, I learned that blood is very sticky and the sun causes tan lines and so on. So, I think, yeah, I don’t know which one was more difficult. I would say maybe the ending where I’m alone, because what the character witnesses weighed on my shoulders a little bit, whereas the fight scene with Marlon, really, you know, it was a duo, and we fight against each other, and we’re there for each other. And we created space for each other.
ROHAN: Do you have a personal HIM or GOAT, whether it’s an actor or an athlete?
TYRIQ: Oh yeah, I got to hang out with Dwyane Wade recently! It was iconic. I was supposed to be my usual self, but find out I’m taller than Dwyane Wade.
ROHAN: Yeah, he’s 6’3, right?
TYRIQ: Yeah, I didn’t know that! And, you know, he’s a gentle soul, so yeah, it was a cool time to be there and hang out, watch the Rams play. So yes, this is one of my encounters with HIM.
What would you sacrifice to become the greatest of all time?
Academy Award® winner Jordan Peele and Monkeypaw Productions, producers of the iconic horror films Get Out, Us, Candyman and Nope, bring us a chilling journey into the inner sanctum of fame, idolatry and the pursuit of excellence at all costs, with an electrifying dramatic performance from Marlon Wayans (Air, Respect).
HIM stars former college wide receiver Tyriq Withers (Atlanta, the upcoming I Know What You Did Last Summer) as Cameron Cade, a rising star quarterback who has dedicated his life and identity to football. On the eve of the annual professional football combine, Cam is attacked by an unhinged fan and suffers a brain trauma that could end his career.
Just when all seems lost, Cam receives a lifeline when his hero, Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans), legendary eight-time championship quarterback and cultural megastar, offers to drag Cam to the secluded Isaiah compound he shares with his famous wife, Elsie White (Julia Fox; Uncut Gems, No Sudden Move). But as Cam’s training accelerates, Isaiah’s charisma begins to shift into something darker, sending his protégé down a disorienting rabbit hole that could cost him more than he ever imagined.
The film features a dynamic supporting cast including alternative comedy legend Tim Heidecker (First Time Female Director, Us) and Australian comedian Jim Jefferies (The Jim Jefferies Show), as well as heavyweight MMA fighter Maurice Greene and hip hop phenoms Guapdad 4000 and Grammy nominee Tierra Whack, all three in their film debut.
HIM is directed by Justin Tipping (Kicks) from an acclaimed screenplay by Black List by Zack Akers & Skip Bronkie (creators of the sci-fi crime series Limetown) and Justin Tipping. The film is produced by Ian Cooper (Nope, Us), Jordan Peele (Candyman, BlacKkKlansman), Win Rosenfeld (Candyman, Lovecraft Country) and Jamal M. Watson (Hala, Sprinter) for Monkeypaw Productions and is executive produced by Monkeypaw’s David Kern and Kate Oh.
