HIM – Review

As I mentioned in another recent review, the studios are shifting with the change of seasons. With Fall a few days away, most would be releasing their big “awards-bait” prestige projects. Ah, but this week’s new big release doesn’t fit into that strategy as much as it meshes with two other staples of the cooler temps. First, it’s set in the world of high-stakes pro football (yes, the 2025-26 games have already begun). Oh, and Halloween is just a few weeks away (most stores have had the “spooky aisles” set up since late August). Really, a “horror sports flick”? I can recall a few thrillers like the original STRANGERS ON A TRAIN and THE FAN. Plus, the musical classic DAMN YANKEES has its supernatural Faustian main plot. And, of course, there’s the hockey mask-wearing J. Voorhees. So, it’s time that the “passers of pigskin” get their chance to terrify in HIM.

The title pronoun may just refer to Cameron Cade, who we first meet as an obsessive football fan who’s only seven or eight years old. He’s “glued to the tube” for all the games played by his fave USFF team, the San Antonio Saviors, who are led by their star quarterback (and Cam’s idol) Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans). The story springs ahead via a montage of images of Cam grabbing headlines on the field in high school and college. Unfortunately, Cam’s papa passes away before the pro teams begin “sniffing around”. Luckily, his devoted mama, Yvette (Indira G. Wilson) is his “rock”. While tossing a few balls late at night on his old high school field, Cameron (Tyriq Withers) is gravely injured by a masked assailant (perhaps dressed in a mascot costume). After a major surgery and lots of rehab, Cam appears to be nearly healed of his massive brain injury. But can he resume his quest for “gridiron glory”? Thanks in part to his aggressive agent/manager (Tim Heidecker), the Saviors will give him a most unusual “try-out”. Cam will travel down to the home/training compound of his idol, Isaiah (who may be in his final season), who will see if he’s ready to be their new quarterback. The White “estate” covers several acres in the desert, cut off from the adoring throngs, although several scary fanatics hover near the fence. There Cam also meets the “doc” (Jim Jefferies) and the flamboyant “online influencer”, Isaiah’s wife, Elsie (Julia Fox). Cam is put through grueling physical torments during a series of exercises that take a dark, sinister turn. Cam soon realizes that Isaiah’s not just interested in prepping his body for life in the “pros”. The increasingly intense White may be trying to possess Cam’s soul.

Withers is truly put through all manner of dramatic and physical “paces” as the often confused, but still “laser-focused” young Cameron. He’s a compelling presence as he looms over most of his castmates, searing into them with his questioning, expressive eyes. Most importantly, he draws us in to see Cam’s pain and torment. The cause of much (almost all) of it is Isaiah, played with pitbull-like ferocity by Wayans. He’s eager to break out of the comedy genre, so this screen vet nearly devours anyone vying to share the screen with him. Certainly, he gets our rapt attention even as his methods are murky and muddy. Luckily, many of the supporting players bring some much-needed humor to relieve the tension. Fox is a zany, quirky online “gadfly” as she hawks her new-age trinkets and attempts to be a nurturing matriarch to Cam, while still leading an unending line of grinding strippers. Heidecker puts a hyperbolic spin on the JERRY MAGUIRE-super sports broker trope, careening like a mad dervish after downing a massive mocha. The best laughs are generated by stand-up superstar Jefferies, who delivers doses of surly snark along with whatever’s really in his ever-present hypo (probably not vitamins).

Justin Tipping, in his sophomore directing effort, really seems to be “going for it” as he throws every flashy effect and editing flourish “at the wall” to see if the visuals can “stick” onto the script he co-wrote with Zack Akers and Skip Bronkie. And it is exhausting, making us more weary than any film under 100 minutes should. The MTV-inspired cuts and razzle dazzle create a heady fever dream while keeping us as perplexed as Cam. The heavy, clunky religious riffs seem to be pointing to White as Satan’s recruiter, though Isaiah would appear to be equally content with eliminating this new “GOAT”. As for the horror aspects, there are a few effective “jump scares” along with lots of gooey gore and even several X-ray enhanced set pieces (tackling skeletons). But all the sound and fury (and N-bombs, pounding music beats, and gyrating groupies) don’t tell us anything new about the “quest for success”. The revelation about the wealthy owners (wow, they’re actually evil monsters) feels like the retread of familiar cliches. It all leads to an off-the-rails finale that results in a big fumble and eventual defeat for the ultra-hyper HIM.

1 Out of 4

HIM is now playing in theatres everywhere