‘Him’ Review: Are You Ready For Some Football Horror?

by

Football holds a huge place in American culture, almost like a religion. That idea could make for a really interesting horror movie, blending the two. However, just like a well-planned play can fail with poor execution, the movie *Him* takes a promising concept and ruins it with a repetitive and boring approach. It’s not scary and offers no new understanding of either football or religion.

From the very beginning, the story is filled with religious symbolism. Young Cameron Cade wears a cross and is raised in a family completely devoted to the San Antonio Saviors, a leading team in the “USFF” league. Their house is almost like a shrine to football, especially to the Saviors’ star quarterback, Isaiah White (played by Marlon Wayans). When Isaiah wins an important game but suffers a terrible leg injury, Cam’s father makes his son watch the injury on TV, teaching him that winning demands sacrifice.

Years later, Cam Withers is the star quarterback in college football and widely expected to be the first player drafted. But his plans are disrupted when he’s attacked by someone dressed in a strange monster costume. Though he recovers, the attack prevents him from participating in the pre-draft evaluations. Then, surprisingly, he receives an invitation from Isaiah White, a legendary player nearing retirement, to train with him in the desert. When Cam arrives, he discovers a dedicated group of fans camped outside Isaiah’s training facility, which is hidden inside an underground bunker. The bunker’s interior is filled with unsettling red lighting, creating a distinctly ominous atmosphere.

Okay, so I just finished watching *Him*, and honestly, it wasn’t hard to guess what was going to happen. That’s the biggest issue with the film – it’s beautifully shot, the actors are great, and it’s really well-made, but it gives everything away. From the start, you just *know* Isaiah is up to no good. Seriously, the first time we meet him, he’s casually cleaning animal carcasses and working with hides – like, a totally normal activity for someone who *isn’t* plotting something awful, right? It just felt…obvious.

The movie is consistently dark and unsettling, creating a genuinely creepy atmosphere. Almost immediately after Cam arrives at Isaiah’s training center, he’s subjected to invasive medical tests. From there, the film follows Cam as he navigates the disturbing world of performance-enhancing drugs, obsessive fans, and brutal violence in professional football. However, it doesn’t really explore *why* we’re so obsessed with football, nor does it make us truly connect with Cam’s ambition or Isaiah’s anxieties about being replaced.

While the two main actors do what they can with a limited script, the director, Justin Tipping, relies heavily on close-ups and strange religious imagery instead of truly exploring their characters’ inner lives. Surprisingly, Julia Fox delivers the strongest performance as the flashy wife of one of the leads. She brings a much-needed energy to the film, and her scenes offer a welcome change from the otherwise consistently gloomy and artistic tone.

Jordan Peele, the highly acclaimed horror director, produced this film through his production company, Monkeypaw Productions. While Peele’s own films are consistently excellent, his work as a producer hasn’t been as strong. This movie feels particularly predictable compared to his directorial efforts, lacking the surprises and meaningful themes found in his own films. It aims to make a big statement about the worlds of sports, money, and fame, but falls short. By the end, the repetitive plot had become so tiresome that the dramatic finale felt forced and unearned, and I struggled to stay patient.

RATING: 3/10

Read More

2025-09-18 07:54