%
Rating
Synopsis
Since childhood, Cameron “Cam” Cade (Tyriq Withers) has admired the San Antonio Saviors and dreamed of joining them. Years later, Cam is an emerging football star preparing for the league combine. Sadly, he suffers a concussion that causes him to lash out at loved ones, leading him to refuse the combine. That’s when Cam’s manager, Tom (Tim Heidecker), offers him a chance to train with Saviors quarterback Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans). Excited to learn from his idol, Cam agrees and heads to a remote desert training facility. What follows are strange and gruesome exercises that push Cam’s limits. During this process, he experiences vivid hallucinations from his concussion, causing him to question what is real. Unknown to him, Isaiah is scheming to prepare him for something much more sinister than he can imagine. What unfolds is a battle of wills and strength between the newcomer and the GOAT.
Review
Ever since I first saw the trailer for HIM, I’ve been eager to see how wild it would be. While I can confirm that the film is indeed unhinged, it is sadly one of the year’s biggest letdowns. Monkeypaw Productions, Jordan Peele’s company, typically gives filmmakers the freedom to bring their vision to life. Besides Peele’s projects, the studio helped give Dev Patel’s Monkey Man a wide release after Netflix withdrew its support. That film had issues, but it showed promise; Justin Pipping’s Him, however, squanders potential. The movie tackles themes of exploitation, corruption, legacy, ambition, and celebrity, but with all the subtlety of an atomic bomb. It feels like Pipping wanted to send a message through this film by making it as obvious as possible. There’s nothing wrong with trying to deliver a message, but you need to be more subtle in your approach.
What makes the film even more disappointing is that it has plenty of good qualities to offer. First off, Marlon Wayans delivers one of the strongest performances of his career, since Requiem for a Dream. He’s vicious, brutal, and hard-hitting, but with a tinge of humor that makes him unpredictably off-putting. Relative newcomer Tyriq Withers also stands out as the hopeful, young Cam being groomed for success at a significant cost. Julia Fox is wonderfully bizarre as Isaiah’s eccentric influencer wife, looking like a cross between Lady Gaga and Gwyneth Paltrow. Another highlight is Jim Jefferies as Isaiah’s doctor, Marco, whose dry wit and passive-aggressive nature make him a memorable character. Another strong quality of this movie is its striking visuals, particularly in the cinematography and editing. Cinematographer Kira Kelly captures some striking visuals, and editor Taylor Joy Mason’s quick cuts give the movie a kinetic energy.
Sadly, this film is a case of style over substance, where everything looks great but feels hollow and empty. There are so many unbelievable moments that take you out of whatever profound emotion they were trying to convey. Initially, I thought these were hallucinations caused by Cam’s concussion, but over time, I realized these moments actually happened. Additionally, this movie features an over-the-top finale similar to the gruesome ending in Weapons, but that movie earned its ending. While the ending in Cregger’s film felt satisfying, this one’s ending feels inconsequential, and you want it to be over. Even at slightly over 90 minutes, the pacing is rough, with scenes dragging out way longer than they should. I honestly hate having to write this review, as I wanted to love this movie, but it was a letdown. Overall, HIM isn’t terrible, but it’s disappointing, which is almost worse.
HIM is in theaters.
