When the trailer dropped for a Jordan Peele-produced horror movie about football, I was automatically sold on the idea. I couldn’t wait to be seated in a reclining chair, popcorn in hand, with the word “HIM” scrawled on the screen in big capital letters. But as the date of my showing neared, my hopes were crushed by really terrible reviews online. Would “HIM” live up to my expectations, or would it prove the critics right?
“HIM” was released in theaters on Sept. 19 after being teased for months. The release sparked mixed reviews, with some critics praising the actors’ performances, while others bashed the movie’s confusing elements. While both claims hold true, the film’s thought-provoking experimental qualities are what makes the movie worthwhile.
The film follows promising high school quarterback Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers) after he is devastated by a career-ending head injury. Just when he thinks all hope is lost, he is invited to train with his idol Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans), the retiring quarterback of the San Antonio Saviors, at a remote training compound. As Cade battles through his head injury, he is exposed to the horrors of White’s training regime and the scary reality of the celebrity world.
During both harsh and tender scenes, Withers and Wayans’s acting was top-tier, their emotions clearly stated on their face, reflecting even subtle emotions throughout the film. New to the acting space, Withers gave a shockingly good performance as Cade, and brought life and reality to the otherwise fictional film. Wayans, previously taking on comedy roles such as “White Chicks” and “Scary Movie” surprisingly cloaked himself effectively in his role of a toxic mentor.
The movie pushes every message it displays to the maximum. A movie about the craziness and chaotic nature of the football industry and its toxic fanbase, it overplays everything perfectly. Nothing is too subtle to understand, which may seem unfortunate to some, but “HIM” goes all out and executes it very well.
What bugged me the most was the film’s pacing. The movie only spans an hour and 41 minutes, but it feels much longer. The end and beginning are packed with exciting events, but the middle drags, which left me almost bored by the time the climax happens.
The second thing weighing down the movie is the two-dimensional nature of the side characters. While most of the movie is the interaction between Cameron and Isaiah, we are introduced to characters such as Isaiah’s wife Elsie (Julia Fox), Marco (Jim Jefferies), and other high-status members of the industry. While I did find myself rooting for Marco, the others seemed way too flat to be featured as much as they did.
My favorite part of the movie by far is its exploration of the crazy fan base surrounding the National Football League. In real life, many Americans gather around TVs every night, rooting and yelling for their team. They place bets on their favorite players, developing a dependence on their teams to win. The movie highlights fans’ crazy passion—and how they often take it too far.
Like all other aspects of this movie, the message is taken to the extreme when we see Isaiah and Cameron interacting with their fans. In one of the creepiest scenes of the movie, Cameron is nearly strangled to death by one of Isaiah’s parasocial fans, who is only stopped by Isaiah himself. She believes that he is not worthy of taking Isaiah’s position of quarterback, so of course, her first thought is to kill him.
This movie was definitely a fun watch, with many jump scares and horror elements for fans of the genre, and it sends an important message. Some aspects, such as undeveloped characters and inconsistent pacing, hold it back from its full potential and leave it feeling incomplete. But if you are a fan of football and bloody horror movies, “HIM” definitely should be your next watch.
