‘Him’– Football film fumbles

If the name Jordan Peele means anything to you, you’ve likely had some vague interest in the movie Him. Every bit of marketing has featured the horror mastermind’s name as producer. While not at the film’s helm, Him has all the mainstays of his usual work. A socially conscious psychological thriller with supernatural elements and striking visuals. It all seems worth attention, but the final product is a bit of a mess.

The film follows Cameron Cade, an up-and-coming athlete widely regarded as the next potential NFL great. Played by Tyriq Withers, Cameron’s promising career takes a turn after a devastating injury lands him at a training camp run by his idol, Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans). What begins smoothly soon spirals into a series of brutal events that blur the line between reality and illusion.

This is not a movie that will please all audiences – at least not right now. Its current release is likely to be met with confusion and frustration. The performances are gripping, and the cinematography is effective. On a technical level, Him succeeds in establishing mood and a general sense of discomfort, but it falls short in delivering its story.

Him leans into ambiguity and aesthetics, shrouding its meaning in layers before abandoning all pretence in an exposition-heavy climax. The result feels like a let-down – a film that fails to build anticipation due to its lack of setup and misses the mark in its final act.

While narratively frustrating, it can’t be overstated how well-designed Him is. Wayans, known for his comedic roles, delivers a performance that’s initially disarming but grows increasingly menacing as the story unfolds. The film features several innovative shots that draw the viewer in, but offers little to keep them engaged.

At a certain point, the film has a numbing effect, beating the audience over the head. Perhaps this was an attempt to get into the mindset of a frequently concussed NFL player, but alas, the end result is a film that feels in need of a rewrite, that betrays its cast and camera work with a lacklustre story.

Rating: Catch it on cable.

Damian Levy is a film critic and podcaster for Damian Michael Movies.