Jordan Peele’s latest project, Him, produced through Monkeypaw Productions and directed by Justin Tipping, is out in theaters and bringing a wild mix of athletic ambition, psychological horror, and eerie rituals. The film follows Cameron Cade, a rising football prospect whose path to greatness involves more than just training—he must confront what he’s willing to sacrifice.
What Him Is About
- Cameron Cade (played by Tyriq Withers) is an up-and-coming quarterback whose dream is put at risk after a traumatic injury.
- He gets the opportunity to train under Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans), a storied quarterback near the end of his career, at a remote compound. What starts as mentorship gradually turns dark: physical trials, mental stress, and surreal rituals challenge Cade’s resolve and sense of self.
- The film leans heavily into themes of hero worship, the obsession with “greatness,” and the moral cost of achieving fame. There are cult-like elements, symbolism connected to sacrifice, and moments of body horror connected to the brutal realities of competitive sports.
Acting, Style, and Ambition
- Marlon Wayans plays against his usual comedic strengths here. His role as Isaiah White demands a darker gravity, portraying a legendary athlete whose charisma masks something much more unsettling.
- Tyriq Withers is fairly strong as Cade: his performance captures both vulnerability and drive, especially as the character contends with bodily and psychological limits.
- Direction and visuals are striking. Tipping uses imagery that blurs the line between sports spectacle and horror ritual—rituals, sacrifice, the performative nature of athletics, all under haunting lighting, dream logic, and disquieting set design.
What Critics Are Saying
- Many applaud the ambition and originality: few films attempt this hybrid of sports culture and horror, especially with the moral questions Him raises about identity, success, and exploitation.
- However, there’s widespread criticism that the allegory and symbolism are too heavy-handed. Some feel the movie repeats its themes instead of developing them, leaving the narrative somewhat hollow.
- Others point out that while some visuals hit hard, Him doesn’t always deliver the emotional or psychological tension it promises. Horror elements are uneven; shock is often surface-level rather than deeply unsettling.
Strengths & Weaknesses
| What Works | What Misses |
|---|---|
| Bold premise and daring mix of genres. | Overuse of symbolism without enough narrative payoff. |
| Strong performances, especially from the leads. | Plot holes or credibility strains in how football world mechanics work. |
| Visually memorable scenes with clever metaphorical touches. | Horror scares are sporadic; the pacing drags in some parts. |
Cultural Themes
- The film reflects on modern sports’ obsession with legacy and the pressures borne by elite athletes—especially quarterbacks, who are often glorified beyond performance.
- It also touches on religious iconography in a sports context: hero worship, sacrifice, the idea that some success stories require “selling one’s soul” metaphorically.
- There’s commentary about the physical and mental toll of sports: injuries, injury cover-ups, rehab, pressure from mentors/agents—and how ambition can become a trap.
Final Verdict
Him has something interesting to say, and often says it with flair. But its execution trips over itself at times: what could’ve been a razor-sharp critique ends up uneven. For viewers willing to lean into metaphor, horror imagery, and the grotesque edges of sports mythology, Him will provoke thought and stir discomfort. For others wanting a more coherent story or a tighter horror core, it may feel like it’s reached for greatness but missed some throws.
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