We’ve always loved sports dramas and horror films, so the idea of blending the two made Him an easy film to root for. Directed by Justin Tipping, the film is a disturbing and visually striking experience. Unfortunately, while it excels in atmosphere and intensity, it ultimately lacks the depth and cohesion needed to tie its ideas together. Beyond its harrowing sports sequences, the film struggles to maintain a clear narrative vision, resulting in a disjointed and messy experience.
Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans) has been the face of the Saviors franchise for nearly two decades, winning eight championships and cementing himself as the undisputed greatest of all time. Meanwhile, rising star Cam Cade (Tyriq Withers) is poised to become the next great quarterback until a violent attack leaves him with a potentially career-ending injury. With retirement looming, White invites Cam to his isolated bootcamp testing whether he has what it takes to become his successor.
If Him were judged solely on performances and visuals, it would be a powerhouse. The training sequences feel raw and authentic, capturing the physical and psychological toll of striving for greatness. Both Tyriq Withers and Marlon Wayans deliver strong performances, and the dynamic between the established GOAT and his potential successor is filled with tension and intrigue.
However, the film falters when it comes to its narrative. While it attempts to explore the cost of greatness, it does so in a messy and unfocused way. Scenes are often mesmerizing to look at on their own but feel disconnected when placed together making the story, even with its simplicity, difficult to follow at times. The supernatural elements, while intriguing, lack proper development, leaving the film’s lore feeling incomplete. Even the climactic final sequence though gory and thrilling feels rushed as if the film is scrambling to bring its ideas to a close. In the end, Him feels like a film with immense potential that never fully comes together. It has all the right ingredients but without the narrative polish to unify them or real thrills to excite, it falls short of achieving true greatness.
Him (2025) Movie Review: Not the GOAT
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