‘Him’ Fumbles a Promising Premise Despite Strong Cast and Satirical Ambitions
Published Time: 09-20-2025, 10:00 EDT
Justin Tipping’s latest horror-thriller, Him, blends American football culture with dark allegory and psychological horror. Produced by Jordan Peele, the film examines hero worship, athletic obsession, and the extremes of fandom. While the premise is intriguing, the movie struggles to sustain tension or fully explore its thematic ambitions, resulting in a repetitive and confined narrative.
Plot Overview
Him follows Cameron “Cam” Cade (Tyriq Withers), a young quarterback who idolizes Saviors star Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans). As a child, Cam witnesses White deliver a highlight-reel victory while sustaining a career-threatening injury—a moment that cements the quarterback as a hero and instills a harsh lesson in sacrifice, echoed by Cam’s father (Don Benjamin).
Years later, Cam is on the verge of entering the professional ranks. During a late-night solo practice session, he is struck by a mysterious pagan spirit-like figure emerging from the shadows, inflicting head trauma that adds new stakes to his football career.
The Saviors organization invites Cam to Isaiah’s secluded Texas desert compound for a week of intense, unorthodox training. Despite Isaiah’s legendary career, the experience quickly becomes a disorienting psychodrama, pushing Cam to physical and psychological extremes. Surreal visuals, hallucinatory editing, and grisly drills—ranging from blood transfusions to serum injections—turn this “training camp” into an allegorical trial of endurance.
Themes and Ambitions
At its core, Him seeks to explore the cult-like devotion surrounding football and the hero worship of quarterbacks. Isaiah White represents the ultimate modern gladiator, with Cam’s journey symbolizing the pressures placed on young athletes striving to achieve greatness.
The film attempts to blend horror and satire, reflecting Jordan Peele’s signature style. Yet, the execution falls short. While the movie establishes an intense, almost ritualistic environment, it rarely ventures beyond the confines of Isaiah’s Brutalist estate, missing the opportunity to depict the broader spectacle of football culture. Unlike films such as Any Given Sunday, which capture the electrifying energy of arenas and media frenzy, Him isolates its characters in a closed, surreal space.
Performances and Direction
Marlon Wayans delivers a commanding performance as Isaiah White, embodying both charisma and menace. Tyriq Withers convincingly portrays Cam’s transformation from an eager rookie to a psychologically tested contender. Supporting roles, including Tim Heidecker as Cam’s agent and Julia Fox as Isaiah’s influencer wife, provide additional texture but are limited by the story’s claustrophobic scope.
Director Justin Tipping, known for Kicks, incorporates stylistic flourishes and hallucinatory visuals that enhance the movie’s unsettling atmosphere. However, the repetitive nature of the allegorical trials and the lack of narrative expansion result in a film that feels more like a psychological experiment than a fully realized story.
Strengths
- Strong central performances, particularly Wayans and Withers
- Dark, satirical approach to sports hero worship
- Stylistically ambitious visuals and hallucinatory editing
Weaknesses
- Repetitive narrative that struggles to sustain engagement
- Limited setting confines the story, reducing scope and tension
- Missed opportunity to explore the broader culture of football and fandom
- Allegorical elements sometimes overshadow character development
Rating and Final Thoughts
Him, a Universal Pictures release, is rated R for strong bloody violence, language, sexual content, nudity, and some drug use. With a runtime of 96 minutes, the film earns 1.5 out of 4 stars.
While the movie presents an inventive concept—melding football, horror, and psychological allegory—it ultimately fails to capitalize on its premise. Fans of dark satire and horror may find moments of intrigue, but the film’s narrow focus and repetitive storytelling limit its impact.
For viewers seeking a nuanced exploration of football culture or a fully realized horror-thriller, Him offers style but not the substance needed to score a lasting impression.
Source: AP News –Movie Review: ‘Him’ fumbles a potent premise
