Him fumbles its football horror story
The tangible traumas of America's favorite bloodsport are sidelined for vague supernatural horrors in Justin Tipping's second feature.
Photo: Universal Pictures
“No guts, no glory” is taken to literal extremes in Him, a blend of sport and horror genres as unlikely as it is unsuccessful. Director Justin Tipping (Kicks) expands on Zack Akers and Skip Bronkie’s original Black List-featured screenplay, which hints at legitimate controversies surrounding the NFL—including the grooming of young men from vulnerable communities and the prevalence of traumatic brain injuries—but posits that the sport’s true evil is influenced by the occult. Produced by Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions, Him clearly attempts to provide the socially conscious, figuratively couched scares that crowds have somewhat reductively come to expect from the company, but this football horror fumbles any semblance of salient cultural critique.
As long as he can remember, Cam Cade (Tyriq Withers, co-star of the recent I Know What You Did Last Summer remake) has idolized Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans), star quarterback of the San Antonio Saviors. Even after watching Isaiah sustain a gruesome leg injury during a live broadcast as a child, Cam was encouraged by his father to strive for the majors. 14 years later, his moment has finally arrived. Motivated by his now-late father’s favorite saying—”no guts, no glory,” of course—he’s dutifully trained to be the best. In fact, it’s looking like he might soon be drafted to the Saviors, potentially taking over his idol’s position in the process.
But when Cam is attacked by a crazed fan during a lonely late-night practice session, the blunt force head injury threatens to end his career before it’s even begun. Although the surgical staples have yet to be removed and his brain is still swollen, Cam’s smarmy agent (Tim Heidecker) gets in touch with the unexpected opportunity of a lifetime. Isaiah has personally beckoned the up-and-comer to spend a week at his secluded compound, where he will receive personal guidance from the football veteran and cut his teeth before the upcoming draft at his luxurious facilities.
Yet upon arrival, Cam quickly senses hostility. Even before entering the front door, his car is accosted by Isaiah’s most committed supporters, who act more like zealots than superfans. The GOAT himself comes off as more interested in torturing Cam than training him, abetted by increasingly uncomfortable recovery treatments courtesy of Isaiah’s personal sports physician Marco (Jim Jefferies). The only friendly presence is Elsie (a sparse Julia Fox), Isaiah’s influencer wife, and the cadre of sexy women she keeps in her company.
