When Dreams Become Nightmares The Horror of HIM with Director Justin Tipping

About this episode

In this episode of Seen on the Screen, Jacqueline Coley sits down with director Justin Tipping to unpack HIM, Monkeypaw’s latest horror film, offering a chilling journey into the inner sanctum of fame, idolatry, and the pursuit of excellence at any cost. Justin reveals how he infused the script with his distinctive vision, crafting a cinematic language that will pull audiences deep into the psychological terror. He discusses the power of practical effects when it comes to grounding the horror, and how immersive camerawork was essential to blurring the line between reality and nightmare.The conversation also dives into the film’s incredibly talented leads – the electrifying (and terrifying) dramatic performance by cinema veteran Marlon Wayans and the undeniable star quality of newcomer Tyriq Withers. Justin also shares how Brutalist architecture inspired the film’s aesthetic, turning the set into a character of its own.

From his indie debut Kicks to this bold new project, Justin reflects on evolving as a filmmaker and why he loves keeping audiences just a half-beat off balance. Tune into this episode for an inside look at one of the year’s most unsettling and artful horror films.