Movie Review: ‘Him’

by | Sep 19, 2025 | Featured Post, Movie Reviews, Movies | 0 comments


Greetings again from the darkness. Here is my PSA (Public Service Announcement): This is not a “Football” movie. If you are expecting FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS or ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, you will be disappointed. This is a Psychological Horror film (think BLACK SWAN) featuring a couple of football players, and it’s produced by Jordan Peele, he of NOPE and GET OUT fame. Writer-director Justin Tipping (KICKS, 2016) and co-writers (co-creators of “Limetown”) Zack Aker and Skip Bronkie serve up few X’s and O’s, and plenty of commentary on fame and the quest for greatness.

Marlon Wayans is best known for his comedy work, and here he delivers his best dramatic performance since REQUIEM FOR A DREAM (2000). He plays Isaiah White, the ultra-successful quarterback of the fictional San Antonio Saviors. Many consider White the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All-Time). His issue is that he’s aging and is likely at the end of his career. On the other end of the spectrum, we have rising star Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers, I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER), the young hotshot who many predict will replace White as the GOAT. Cameron’s problem is that a surprise causes possible brain damage, knocking him out of the combine and leaving him undrafted.

Cameron’s off-kilter agent (Tim Heidecker) arranges for him to train with White for a week. Having worshipped Isaiah White for most of his life, Cameron jumps at the chance. Upon arriving at White’s isolated desert compound, he quickly discovers dreams don’t always match reality. White greets him warmly, but we all notice (well, Cameron’s a bit slow) that things are a bit off. From a sadist trainer (MMA fighter Maurice Greene) to a sardonic doctor (a funny Jim Jeffries), to a creatively made-up and creepy Mrs. White (Julia Fox), the setting for a horrific week is in place.

White pushes Cameron past the point of decency in training, and the doctor delivers some curious blood transfusions. White preaches to Cameron that this unorthodox approach is what’s required for peak performance and greatness. The commitment must be to excellence, not some mushy family-first mentality. Some of the drills are violent, while others turn a bit nuts. This is psychological warfare mixed with physical extremes.

There are some cool x-ray effects, and the music from Bobby Krlic (The Haxan Cloak) adds a nice touch; however, this is about envy and power. The first two acts have some eye-opening moments, but things really fly off the rails in the finale. Brutal violence seems too mild as a description, and the commentary on team ownership expectations seems a bit heavy-handed. We all know billionaires are accustomed to getting what they want. This one is worth seeing for Marlon Wayans’ performance, but we find ourselves thinking “what if” through much of the film.

Opens in theaters on September 19, 2025

David Ferguson
Latest posts by David Ferguson (see all)