'Him' Review: Jordan's Football Horror Swerves Into Surreal Madness But Loses Control In The End

Him, produced by Jordan Peele, is set to explore an extremely dark, gory, and dehumanising side of professional sports. The film focuses on the journey of a rising star quarterback and his journey to greatness. Directed by Justin Tipping, the film begins with promise, introducing 'Cameron Cade' (Tyriq Withers) as a talented college quarterback facing a traumatic brain injury before an NFL scouting event. However, as the story unfolds, it veers into a bizarre territory, shifting from psychological tension to an over-the-top spectacle that ultimately detracts from its potential as a chilling critique of the sports industry.

Him is the story of a reluctant hero's descent

The film opens with 'Cameron Cade' on the verge of a professional breakthrough. However, his dreams are left shattered when he is attacked by a mysterious figure and sustains a traumatic brain injury. While his doctor suggests that he retire, 'Cade' is motivated by his father and chooses to continue. He enlists the help of 'Isaiah White' (Marlon Wayans), a former NFL quarterback who promises to mentor him, but the coaching methods quickly reveal a darker side to the world of professional football.

Cult-like training and psychological warfare make Him terrifying

'Cameron Cade's' journey further takes a terrifying turn when he arrives at 'Isaiah White's' desert compound. During his stay, he encounters a cult-like group of grotesque individuals, signalling that something is deeply wrong. While 'White' confiscates 'Cade's' phone and begins a process of 'radical detachment' from the outside world.

The training is gruelling, not just physically but also psychologically, almost as if it is meant to break him down. Fellow athletes are tortured for 'Cade's' failures, including one who's bombarded with footballs whenever 'Cade' misses a pass, adding a sadistic edge to the process.

Him is unsettling, surreal, but extremely over the top

Him becomes stranger by the minute, 'Cameron' is subjected to mysterious blood transfusions, and the story's tone shifts from unsettling to outright bizarre. Surreal, dreamlike sequences begin to dominate the film, including a visual reenactment of the famous Last Supper painting, which feels jarring and out of place. Despite the striking imagery, Him has its narrative flaws.

The physical violence, depicted through X-ray-style effects, shows the internal damage to the athletes' bodies, adding a visceral element to the horror. Further, 'Bobby Krlic's' unnerving score enhances the atmosphere, while the performances are strong, by the time the film reaches its gory and grotesque finale, it has veered so far into absurdity that any tension is lost, leaving audiences either laughing or bewildered.

Him is a missed opportunity in totality

At its core, Him had the potential to be something sharp and psychologically horrifying. As the exploitation of athletes in the corporate world, similar to the 1979 film, North Dallas Forty. Instead, the film gets lost in its own surrealism and gore, sacrificing its potential for deep commentary for the sake of visual marvel. At the end, Him feels more like a missed opportunity as there was still room to explore the terrifying reality of the athletes in the sports world.

What are your thoughts on Him? Let us know.

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