HIM (2025)

When Him first started rolling I was bracing myself for a gimmick. Football and horror together is not a combination that comes up often. But what I got was something richer, stranger, and more disturbing than I expected. This is not just a curious mashup. It is a film that lingers inside your head long after the credits fade.

Let me get one thing out of the way early. Jordan Peele’s name has been used as a reason by critics to cut this down, but he is only a producer here. He did not write or direct it, so many of the complaints that point to Peele are misdirected. The real power and the real flaws rest with director Justin Tipping, the writers, and the choices they make. Knowing that freed me to enjoy the film on its own terms instead of critiquing it through the Peele lens.

What works, and how it hits hard

From the first act Him leans into a psychological tension that surprised me. It does not just scare you with sudden loud noises or gore. It unsettles you in a way that stays. Cam, played by Tyriq Withers, is a star in the making who is mentored by Isaiah White, played by Marlon Wayans. When Cam suffers an injury under strange circumstances and is drawn into Isaiah’s isolated world, the film pivots from sports drama into warped horror. It makes you squirm in your seat, questioning what is real and what might only exist in the mind.

The visuals are striking. At times the camera feels like it is dissecting the action. You see overlays that mimic x-ray scans, sudden distortions, and unusual angles that heighten unease. A weightlifting session or a simple conversation takes on a dreamlike and threatening quality. What should be routine feels uncanny.

Marlon Wayans stands out. His Isaiah is charismatic, commanding, and gradually reveals something darker beneath the surface. His presence never weakens. Tyriq Withers holds his own as Cam, showing vulnerability and ambition while balancing devotion with fear. Their dynamic is the film’s beating heart. Supporting characters enrich the story and add layers of pressure without slipping into stereotypes.

One of the most interesting choices is how the film treats football itself. It is not simply a backdrop. The sport becomes ritual, sacrifice, and even obsession. The physical toll, the devotion required, and the blurred line between greatness and destruction are all explored. Him does not look away from how brutal the game can be, how much it asks of players, and how much identity is tied to reaching greatness.

Where it stumbles

The third act is where the film feels less sure. The ambiguity and paranoia that made the early sections so gripping give way to explanations that feel unnecessary. As soon as the mystery is explained, some of the fear drains away. Horror thrives on what you cannot see, and Him occasionally forgets that.

There are also moments that feel underdeveloped. Certain motivations are hinted at but not fully realized. The plot asks the audience to make leaps that may frustrate viewers who want everything laid out cleanly. I was willing to forgive those gaps because the film is so audacious, but I know not everyone will.

Why it worked for me

I love when films take risks with genre, and Him does exactly that. It does not just borrow clichés from football or horror. It blends them, questions them, and becomes something new. For someone who loves both of those worlds, this film feels refreshing and original.

It is also a film that is meant to be felt rather than only watched. The theater was almost silent, the kind of silence where you can hear people breathe. When it ended, you could sense that people were processing, replaying, and analyzing. That is exactly the type of film I want to see. Something raw enough to stay with me afterward.

Even with the flaws, the boldness of Him makes it more than the sum of its parts. It is the kind of movie you want to watch again, discuss, and see how others react. For me, it earns a place in my top ten.

If a film can unsettle you, challenge your sense of normal, and make football feel uncanny and dangerous, then it deserves recognition. That is what Him achieved for me. It is not flawless, but it is electrifying. I would call it outstanding value. If you are ready for something intense, strange, and unforgettable, do not let the harsh reviews stop you. Go see Him. Better yet, be Him.