“Him” follows rising quarterback Cameron Cade, who falls down a disorienting rabbit hole after going to train with his hero.
“Him” is a lot of things – indulgent, redundant, messy – it’s also one heck of an entertaining ride. Directed by Justin Tipping, the film blends sports drama with psychological thriller in a wild hybrid that rarely slows down.
A Tale of Two Performances
Performances from Marlon Wayans (Isaiah White) and Tyriq Withers (Cameron Cade) carry the film. Wayans is reckless in his portrayal, with a natural charisma that steals every scene. He is able to constantly shift between collected and completely wild, with little in between. Withers, on the other hand, delivers a more tame performance. He only goes over-the-top in moments, but has a quiet confidence that makes his character feel whole.
This contrast between the leads mirrors the film’s own split personality, constantly swinging from drama to spectacle.
Even with minimal backstory, “Him” succeeds in making these two leads feel whole. Chasing greatness takes its toll, and it can be seen in both White and Cade. By focusing so heavily on their obsession, the movie underlines how fame can warp identity long before any trophies are won.
Ambition, Sacrifice and Style
The ideas of greatness and sacrifice are at the forefront of “Him.” Looking at this through football provides an interesting perspective that hasn’t been done before. While it is oftentimes messy, these themes linger long after the credits begin to role. Professional athletes who achieve success all make sacrifices, and the film provides an interesting dissection on what it takes to be “great.”
The film’s approach on a football level is some of the most creative in recent memory. Integrating slashing camera work, sharp editing, sonar/x-ray-styled shots and POV sequences, it creates a complete picture of the game… and the toll that it takes. Sports fans always have discussions on who the “GOAT” is. “Him” takes advantage of this, making an entire movie dedicated to the idea. For fans of football, this alone makes it worth watching. Even non-sports fans may find themselves swept up in the pounding rhythm of the on-field training sequences.
There is also a lot of style on display in “Him.” In a desolate environment, the film still finds ways to introduce flair. By immersing the characters in colorful environments or exploring different shooting techniques, it always stays fresh.
When Ambition Becomes Excess
“Him” is one of the most entertaining experiences of the year. Unfortunately… this isn’t always for good reasons.
The film is undoubtedly a mess, oftentimes feeling more like a music video than an actual feature-length story. Montages bring a jolt of energy in spurts, but at a certain point it becomes overbearing. This hurts the first half of the movie, as dialogue is kept to a minimum.
The film also would’ve benefited from sticking to the thriller genre, rather than trying to force a horror story that wasn’t there. “Him” had all of the potential in the world, but with each plot twist… it dives further into insanity (in a bad way). Instead of deepening its core themes, the script piles on new ideas that feel more like Hail Mary’s than revelations.
The end is a prime example of this, going completely off the rails. From the camerawork to the script itself, the ending of “Him” is a mess. It attempts to create a grand, horrific conclusion, but ultimately comes off as comical. Rather than being invested in the story, I instead found myself laughing at the film’s absurdity. It’s entertainment, but not necessarily the kind “Him” was aiming to achieve.
Final Drive
What does it cost to achieve greatness? You probably won’t find out from “Him.” What starts as an interesting examination of sacrifice and fame turns into a self-parodying stream of bad choices. There’s plenty of ambition, but just as much squandered potential.
“Him” stuns on a visual level, yet its script tumbles into “so bad that it’s good” territory. The result is a chaotically entertaining journey that football fans will flock to – even as they leave the theater wondering what the hell just happened.
Rating: 3 out of 5
