Him

4.5/10 Man, I was so hyped for this movie, and it sucks to say it just didn't deliver.

The acting was great-Marlon Wayans especially killed it-but the script and pacing really dragged it down. The movie honestly needed to be longer in order to have more time to explain things, because so much felt half-baked. From the injections to everything Cam goes through, it all just came off kind of hollow. Even the way the story kicked off didn't feel right. The movie isn't clear on itself, and makes the whole thing feel disjointed.

Also thought to mention, not sure if it was just my theater or the movie itself, but the sound mixing was rough. Everything was super loud and clear except the dialogue.

By the end, it felt like Tipping had a bunch of cool ideas but was unsure of what direction to go. Which in turn caused execution to suffer.

The actors were great, no complaints there. But this should've been a guaranteed success about a movie with a horror/occult twist of telling the dark side of fame, sports, parental expectations, and how many suffer and those above them profit; but instead just really fell short from its potential.

I will say something positive. There is some really nice cinematography in the film to enjoy as well as some good acting out of Wayans. That's about it. The movie was horrendously disjointed. I think the movie wanted to be a lot of things, but I couldn't tell you exactly what any of those are as they failed miserably to get there. I was bored the vast majority of the movie, almost napped multiple times, and was shocked to hear it's only an hour and a half movie. I was convinced by the end that it was pushing 2-1/2 hours. Don't waste your time. It's so bad it doesn't deserve your time.

People aren't giving it a fair shake I don't think. It does have its problems, for one "tense" dramatic scenes feel goofy, whether it be bad directing or writing or acting I can't really tell but that does hurt the movie. However; there also is a lot of good to say, The message is on the nose but its also very worth telling, not many movies will have the guts to do it so I will applaud it for that. The cinematography is amazing, the scenes in the desert look amazing. The plot is a little confusing and I can see how people would think that it's "Fake Deep" or whatever but I can't wait to actually dive into all the symbolism when I can watch it again. On the negative side It's also hard to judge what the characters are about or what they want.

Billed as one of September 2025's most anticipated horror releases, HIM arrives with Jordan Peele attached as producer (though not director), and the hype around it was sky-high. The film follows a legendary football star who refuses to let go of his glory days after winning eight consecutive Super Bowl rings. Obsessed with staying at the top, he'll do anything-even eliminate his successor.

Marlon Wayans turns in a surprisingly dark performance as the villain, blending psychological torment with brutal physicality. He's chilling, unpredictable, and easily one of the film's strongest aspects. Tyriq Withers, on the other hand, cements himself as a rising star. His performance is so magnetic and raw that you can't look away whenever he's onscreen.

The movie starts strong-the first act hooks you instantly, and the second act, while slightly uneven, still delivers enough thrills to keep you strapped in like a roller coaster. Unfortunately, when the third act arrives, the wheels completely fall off. Instead of a powerful finale, the story collapses under bizarre choices, awkward dialogue, and a conclusion that feels more like a parody than a payoff.

The "sacrifice" subplot spirals into incoherence, with biblical references clashing against demonic imagery. Goats appear repeatedly, hammering home the idea of Satan posing as God, but the messaging is muddled. Even Marlon Wayans' chilling line about "Football first, family second, God third" gets lost in the chaos of a finale that devolves into circus-level absurdity.

And then there's the infamous line-"If you let me go, I'll suck your dick"-which comes out of nowhere. With no buildup or subtext to support it, it feels jarringly out of place and distracts from everything the film had worked to build up. Instead of intensifying the tension, it derails it entirely.

The character of Miss White (the pale-haired woman with white eyebrows) is a visual oddity throughout the movie, and when she finally gets acknowledged on-screen, it almost feels like the film is poking fun at itself. By that point, though, the damage is done.

What's most disappointing is that the film's setup-fame, glory, sacrifice, and the cost of never letting go-had real potential. The first two acts prove HIM could have been something special. But the third act derails everything, leaving viewers more confused than satisfied.

Final Verdict: HIM is a missed opportunity-worth watching for Marlon Wayans' chilling villain turn and Tyriq Withers' breakout performance, but the botched ending drags it into disappointment. If you're curious, check it out, but this one can definitely wait until streaming.

Greetings again from the darkness. Here is my PSA (Public Service Announcement): This is not a "Football" movie. If you are expecting FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS or ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, you will be disappointed. This is a Psychological Horror film (think BLACK SWAN) featuring a couple of football players, and it's produced by Jordan Peele, he of NOPE and GET OUT fame. Writer-director Justin Tipping (KICKS, 2016) and co-writers (co-creators of "Limetown") Zack Aker and Skip Bronkie serve up few X's and O's, and plenty of commentary on fame and the quest for greatness.

Marlon Wayans is best known for his comedy work, and here he delivers his best dramatic performance since REQUIEM FOR A DREAM (2000). He plays Isaiah White, the ultra-successful quarterback of the fictional San Antonio Saviors. Many consider White the G. O. A. T. (Greatest of All-Time). His issue is that he's aging and is likely at the end of his career. On the other end of the spectrum, we have rising star Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers, I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER), the young hotshot who many predict will replace White as the GOAT. Cameron's problem is that a surprise causes possible brain damage, knocking him out of the combine and leaving him undrafted.

Cameron's off-kilter agent (Tim Heidecker) arranges for him to train with White for a week. Having worshipped Isaiah White for most of his life, Cameron jumps at the chance. Upon arriving at White's isolated desert compound, he quickly discovers dreams don't always match reality. White greets him warmly, but we all notice (well, Cameron's a bit slow) that things are a bit off. From a sadist trainer (MMA fighter Maurice Greene) to a sardonic doctor (a funny Jim Jeffries), to a creatively made-up and creepy Mrs. White (Julia Fox), the setting for a horrific week is in place.

White pushes Cameron past the point of decency in training, and the doctor delivers some curious blood transfusions. White preaches to Cameron that this unorthodox approach is what's required for peak performance and greatness. The commitment must be to excellence, not some mushy family-first mentality. Some of the drills are violent, while others turn a bit nuts. This is psychological warfare mixed with physical extremes.

There are some cool x-ray effects, and the music from Bobby Krlic (The Haxan Cloak) adds a nice touch; however, this is about envy and power. The first two acts have some eye-opening moments, but things really fly off the rails in the finale. Brutal violence seems too mild as a description, and the commentary on team ownership expectations seems a bit heavy-handed. We all know billionaires are accustomed to getting what they want. This one is worth seeing for Marlon Wayans' performance, but we find ourselves thinking "what if" through much of the film.

Opens in theaters on September 19, 2025.