Produced by Jordan Peele, the psychological sports horror film Him arrives with the expectation of a carefully layered story exploring themes such as the cost of fame and the physical and mental toll of football. However, despite Peele’s involvement, the movie, which is directed by Justin Tipping and co-written by Tipping, Skip Bronkie, and Zak Akers, falls short of delivering a cohesive narrative. The film struggles to balance its ambitions, resulting in a fragmented horror experience that lacks the focus necessary to fully engage its audience.
Him attempts to explore various elements within the world of football, including the obsessive nature of fans, the negligence shown toward player injuries, and the immense pressure placed on top athletes often regarded as the greatest of all time. Originally titled Goat, the movie incorporates visual references to actual goats as a symbol for greatness. Still, these themes are presented in a disorganized fashion, preventing the story from reaching its potential.
Marlon Wayans’ Strong Performance Elevates the Film
Marlon Wayans delivers a compelling portrayal of Isaiah White, a quarterback celebrated as the greatest player currently considering retirement. His performance carries much of the movie’s emotional weight and consistently conveys a tension and energy that the film’s overall tone fails to maintain. Playing a character caught between passion and instability, Wayans effectively embodies the intensity of a star grappling with his legacy. His treatment of Cameron Wade, a promising young quarterback destined to replace him, is harsh but intended as tough love.
The story mostly unfolds within Isaiah’s isolated compound, shifting the focus entirely onto football and interpersonal dynamics. When Cameron Wade, played by Tyriq Withers, arrives after suffering a traumatic brain injury, and his phone is confiscated, the story moves into increasingly unsettling territory. However, the movie struggles to maintain a consistent mood, wavering between a thriller and psychological horror, with the latter aspect underutilized and often diminished by tonal confusion.
Disjointed Storytelling and Underdeveloped Characters
Although the horror elements in Him show promise, they are undermined by a script that fails to deeply engage its themes. The film vacillates between subtlety and bluntness, culminating in an ending that feels both predictable and poorly conceived. Cameron’s time on the compound grows stranger, yet the film finds it difficult to keep viewers invested.
Tyriq Withers’ portrayal of Cameron suffers from the character’s passive nature and lack of curiosity, which limits audience connection. His strongest moments appear early on, within the first twenty minutes, where Cameron’s withdrawn demeanor leaves viewers wondering about his true commitment to football. Unfortunately, this character development occurs too late in the story, when it would have been more effective as an initial foundation. Cameron’s familial relationships, such as the brief appearance of his father (Don Benjamin), who taught him football, receive minimal attention, missing opportunities to deepen the emotional stakes and enhance the horror’s impact.
Visually, the film frequently employs an X-ray effect to highlight the physical and mental damage from football injuries, including helmet collisions and physical assaults. Usage of this device, however, becomes repetitive and dilutes its intended impact, turning potentially frightening scenes into gimmicks.
Missed Opportunities Despite Thought-Provoking Ideas
At just over ninety minutes, Him feels longer due to its uneven pacing and imbalanced storytelling. While Justin Tipping and his co-writers offer sharp commentary on the mistreatment of athletes and the reality behind sports fame, the buildup to the movie’s explosive conclusion fails to fully connect with viewers. The tension mainly stems from Wayans’ performance and the film’s musical score, but the rest of the production struggles to maintain the same level of intensity or emotional engagement.
Ultimately, while Him presents a unique attempt at blending psychological horror with sports themes, its disjointed narrative and underdeveloped characters result in an experience that falls short of the genre’s potential, despite Marlon Wayans’ standout lead role.
