Horror’s latest offering, “Him,” released September 19, 2025. The movie, directed by Jordan Tipping, focuses on young quarterback Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers) who receives mentorship from the “GOAT” (Greatest of All Time), Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans).
The movie starts with intrigue but quickly embarks on a sinister, gory spiral to mediocrity.
I initially heard of the movie through its heavy advertising of Jordan Peele’s involvement.
Despite only being a producer, Peele’s name appears more prominently than any other name on the film’s posters.
Despite not having an interest in sports, the concept of mixing horror and sports, as well as the strong trailers for the movie, won me over.
I will give “Him” some credit. The cinematography, particularly the lighting, is strong throughout the movie.
In a couple moments of physical violence, the film makes use of X-ray shots to heighten the intensity.
This effect offered some otherwise lacking uniqueness to the movie and felt thematically relevant to a movie about football, a sport that gets much flack due to its physical brutality.
Withers’ and Wayans’ respective performances were phenomenal despite the weak script.
Withers embodies the naive apprentice, who’s particularly vulnerable due to his idolization of Wayans’ character.
His performance allows for the intensity of a proven legend to believably turn to much darker sadism.
Unfortunately, those positives are not strong enough in the sea of bizarre visuals and a mediocre script. Roughly the first half of the movie sets up a genuinely interesting premise,
and the rest fails to develop any depth.
The characters don’t develop beyond their basic traits, the plot never moves beyond surface level, and nothing interesting is said with the smattering of banal satanic imagery presented.
The movie makes attempts at social commentary, but these largely come in one-off lines of dialogue rather than the plot itself.
The ending, a rejection of what the movie set up to that point, could also be read as possible social commentary, but again, the movie does little to develop it beyond vague “evil, satanic people.” Frankly, the movie feels afraid to sit with its good shots and violent moments, something that a horror movie should lean into to properly create needed dread.
“Him” ultimately comes across as more of a thriller with weak, boilerplate jumpscares and attempts at horror.
What could have been an interesting exploration of the world of pro football and a male equivalent to 2024’s “The Substance,” ended up as a basic horror movie that at best proves the potential of a good sports horror movie.
I wouldn’t recommend going out of your way to watch this one, and if you’re still interested wait for streaming. 2.5 out of 5.
