The devil’s in the details of the football horror ‘Him,’ but it punts on plot

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You know, Howard Cosell once asked if football was a game or a religion, and it’s always stuck with me. This movie, “Him,” really takes that idea and *runs* with it. It just assumes football is both – like, for a lot of us fans, it *is* almost a faith. I mean, think about all the rituals we have, those lucky charms, or players thanking a higher power after a big play. It’s a total overlap – the game and the belief are completely intertwined, just like a brand new football!

For young Cameron Cade, football star Isaiah White is like a hero. Cameron even has a special place in his home with pictures of White, almost like a shrine. When White plays through an injury to win a game, Cameron’s dad uses it as a lesson, telling his son, “That’s what real men do – they make sacrifices.” The candles around the pictures seem to cast a warning shadow.

The film *Tipping*, based on a script by Skip Bronkie and Zack Akers and produced by Jordan Peele, takes the idea that sports function like religion as a given. Rather than exploring *why* this happens, the movie, particularly through the character ‘Him,’ questions the *nature* of that devotion – is it simply admiring heroes, or something darker and more cult-like?

Fourteen years have passed, and Cameron (now played by Tyriq Withers) is a promising college quarterback expected to be the NFL’s number one draft pick, potentially replacing Isaiah on the Saviors team. A serious concussion threatens his career, but Isaiah, a legendary player who still leads the team, offers Cameron a chance to prove himself at a grueling training camp held at his remote desert home. However, it’s clear Isaiah isn’t acting in Cameron’s best interest, and seems to be sending a clear warning.

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The movie’s title comes from the phrase “I’m him,” a boastful expression that became popular in sports recently. You might have even seen players like Austin Reaves nicknamed “AustHIM” because of it. Calling someone the “GOAT” (Greatest of All Time) has been around longer, but both these compliments are now given out very easily. The film centers around whether Cameron can truly become the best, and it subtly connects this idea to religious themes – like the use of goats in sacrifices and images of Jesus as a sacrificial figure. There are also visual hints of Baphomet, a goat-headed idol. Plus, the movie creates a sense of suspense, leaving the audience to wonder if someone will face a harsh fate.

When Cameron arrives at Isaiah’s home, he finds it filled with what appear to be sheepskins used in taxidermy. The majority of the film unfolds within Isaiah’s bizarre compound-a circular, maze-like space that feels like a blend of an ancient temple and a sports stadium. The production design, by Jordan Ferrer, is consistently unsettling and impressive. Inside, the home features stark, minimalist furniture, striking saunas and ice baths, and even an indoor football field with a throwing machine strong enough to cause serious injury. Adding to the strangeness is Isaiah’s wife, Elsie (Julia Fox), a lifestyle influencer who carries a sharp piece of jade that Cameron is instructed to insert into his rear-apparently, for optimal performance. Outside the gates, Isaiah’s devoted followers, including the clearly disturbed Marjorie (Naomi Grossman), are enraged by the possibility that their leader might retire.

Similar to Tipping’s impressive first film, “Kicks,” which followed a boy endangering himself for a pair of sneakers, “Him” is a brutal story about the desperate need for respect. It aims for a similar dark and intense feel as films like “The Substance” and “Rosemary’s Baby,” but with a focus on the world of sports and a demonic edge. The film is visually striking and could stand on its own merits as a stylish thriller. Every shot is beautifully composed, from unsettling images of spinning footballs to goalposts that resemble devilish horns. The editing by Taylor Joy Mason and cinematography by Kira Kelly are particularly impressive, creating dizzying montages with innovative camera work – blending thermal imaging, X-rays, and visual effects to give the impression of seeing inside the actors themselves. Adding to the atmosphere, Bobby Krlic (also known as the Haxan Cloak), who previously composed the score for “Midsommar,” delivers a powerful and tragic musical score.

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The film explores interesting ideas about suffering, dedication, and how people are controlled, but these themes don’t quite come together. After watching it twice, the plot felt disjointed and confusing. It was hard to figure out basic things, like how motivated Cameron was to play football, or what the future holds for those who are left.

One problem is that Tipping and Withers have developed a football player who seems incredibly genuine. Withers carries himself with natural confidence, excellent posture, and a disciplined demeanor. During a practice media session, he came across as someone naturally suited to be a spokesperson.

Cameron speaks cautiously, much like athletes often do in post-game interviews – delivering careful, almost deliberately dull answers, hoping to discourage further questions. He talks about his football career in a detached, objective way, as if he’s describing a product. He uses the word “performing” instead of “playing,” suggesting he views football as work, not enjoyment.

He goes along with everything – even painful treatments and injections – especially because he’s surrounded by people he trusts, including a childhood hero. While his head injury might explain some of his willingness to comply, it’s difficult to feel invested in a character who only shows any real personality briefly.

I have to say, Wayans is really letting loose in this role! He plays Isaiah as this intense guy who goes from encouraging you one minute to completely intimidating you the next, and he looks amazing doing it – seriously, those beaded outfits are cool, and he’s clearly in incredible shape. It actually makes you buy into the idea that Isaiah really believes he can beat aging itself. Then you find out Wayans is 53 – almost ten years older than Tom Brady was when he retired, and people were treating him like he was ancient! – and honestly, it makes you want to just give up and accept whatever happens. It’s pretty impressive.

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2025-09-19 19:32