A young athlete descends into a world of terror when he’s invited to train with a legendary champion whose charisma curdles into something darker.
Marlon Wayans has moved far beyond his roots in comedy. Early on, he was best recognized for his roles in “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka,” “In Living Color,” “The Wayans Bros.,” and the original “Scary Movie” films, seemingly cementing his place in comedic entertainment. But his work in more dramatic fare—like “Requiem for a Dream,” “Above the Rim,” and “On the Rocks”—proved he was capable of much more, revealing a depth and subtlety that surprised many. In Justin Tipping’s film “Him,” Wayans arguably delivers his most impressive performance to date, becoming the standout element in an otherwise inconsistent horror movie produced by Jordan Peele.
The film’s plot revolves around Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers), a talented football player on the verge of making it to the NFL. After a late-night attack by an obsessed fan almost derails his future, Cameron’s prospects seem bleak. Enter Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans), a legendary quarterback for the San Antonio Saviors and Cameron’s childhood hero. Isaiah offers Cameron a lifeline: an invitation to an isolated training retreat in the New Mexico desert, promising to help him regain his confidence and abilities. But once Cameron arrives, he quickly gets the sense that something is off.
Director and co-writer Justin Tipping plunges the audience into the strange and unsettling world surrounding Isaiah White, skillfully examining the pitfalls of fame, the drive for greatness, and the steep costs attached. As the story develops, it becomes clear that this isn’t just about football—Cameron finds himself drawn deeper into an exclusive, sometimes disturbing world of celebrity and ambition. He suffers from odd visions—or perhaps they’re real—and meets people who later act as if they’ve never seen him before.
The climax of the film hinges on Cameron’s opportunity for a professional contract, but it comes with a twist: he must go head-to-head with Isaiah, who is nearing retirement. The team needs a new star, and only a brutal contest will decide who wins the spot. This final showdown brings the movie to its conclusion, though it does so at the expense of a coherent narrative.
While “Him” is packed with intriguing ideas, it ultimately falters under the weight of excessive surrealism, disorienting horror elements, and a storyline that loses itself between what’s real and what isn’t. The film is reminiscent of Adrian Lyne’s “Jacob’s Ladder,” and at times it seems possible that Cameron’s entire ordeal is a hallucination as he clings to life after the attack. Had the story followed that route, it might have provided a more satisfying ending—instead, it wraps up with a standard, gory battle.
Throughout the movie, Cameron is put through increasingly surreal and unsettling experiences—scenarios that would challenge anyone’s grasp on reality—yet he moves through them with a strange calm, rarely pausing to process what’s happening. The film is at its best when it explores what athletes must give up to reach the top. Isaiah’s strict code—“Football first, then family, then God”—clashes with Cameron’s personal beliefs. Cameron’s efforts to balance his faith and family with Isaiah’s uncompromising outlook give rise to the film’s most interesting moments. Sadly, these threads are undercut by a hurried rush to the violent finale; characters and side stories are introduced only to be dropped almost immediately.
Despite having all the makings of a powerful film, “Him” opts for spectacle at the expense of depth, falling short of its potential to truly resonate.
In Theaters Friday, September 19th
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