Tyriq Withers and Marlon Wayans go toe-to-toe and blow-for-blow in Justin Tipping’s sophomore feature film Him, as an up-and-coming American football star looks to his ageing idol for a lifeline in a twisted world of obsession.
★★★★☆
Cameron Cade (Withers) has had an insatiable drive to reach the NFL for as long as he can remember, and this fire is fuelled by two male role models: his father and eight-time champion Isaiah White (Wayans). When Cam Snr (Don Benjamin) passes away, only Isaiah is left for Cade to look up to, a god-like figure who asks the question: “What are you willing to sacrifice?”
After a serious injury, Cam’s dreams are jeopardised—but Isaiah offers him a golden ticket in the form of a training camp at a remote desert-based facility. With the face of the aptly-named San Antonio Saviours considering retirement, some view this prodigious young talent as his successor, but others aren’t about to let go of the coattails of the GOAT.
From minute one, Him presents a push for greatness like no other. It is no secret just how all-consuming the world of college football is in the US, and Tipping reflects that, with the clammer around Cam presenting him as a commodity as much as anything else. In the early stages of the film, a ball is thrust into his arms and the face of Isaiah is everywhere he looks. Sport and greatness are dual, overlapping obsessions, creating a fascinating mediation of what it means to have the potential of eternal glory.
Isaiah’s cult of personality is immediately apparent, the adoration of crazed fans outside the mysterious training facility quickly evaporating and turning to disgust when they realise it is actually Cam on the other side of lightly tinted windows. The reality of stan culture is explored well, really grounding Him in spite of the supernatural elements that lie in wait.
That team name, the Saviours, is a bit on the nose with its religious messaging, and that is a common criticism of Him as a whole; there is perhaps a lack of subtlety to the conceptualisation. We see this again when it comes to the factor of race, a young talented black man being heralded for fame, and the powerful white people appearing to guide but in fact misleading him.
This film starts and ends with the performances of Withers and Wayans though, the leading duo constantly bouncing off of each other, pushing them further towards greatness both literally and metaphorically. There is an intoxicating feeling that comes with this king and the heir to his throne, yet little thought has been given to the supporting characters. Julia Fox as Elsie, Isaiah’s wife, has a couple of funny lines but beyond that is a hollow character, a decision which may well have been deliberate to tap in once again to this greatest of all time conversation and how the world revolves around them.
A standout talking point from the trailer was the camera work, those infamous X-ray shots of sporting injuries as they happen prompting many to expect a deeper exploration of the rise in CTE injuries, or the rise in awareness of them anyway. Up-close-and-personal shots of Cam and Isaiah also amp up the general intensity of Him, feeling every hit alongside them and listening to every syllable they have to say. The dialogue can get repetitive, but sentiments like “What are you willing to sacrifice?” and “No guts no glory” remain pertinent. The latter, in particular, serves a greater purpose in the film’s conclusion as Cam is faced with his make-or-break decisions.
That idea of sacrifices along the path to greatness is a source of great pride for Cam. He will give everything—after all, he feels it is the least he can do to repay the sacrifices of his family. His physical and mental health, his sanity and his family ties are all on the chopping block if he is to follow in the footsteps of Isaiah, or better yet, supersede his hero. He may indulge in the alluring temptations around him once or twice, but that laser focus on his end goal of truly becoming Him in the sporting world remains intact for the most part.
For better or for worse, with these two alpha-male characters being pitted against each other comes an overarching stench of masculinity. Cam’s life has been shaped by the influence of his dad and then Isaiah, the latter offering him the perspective of where he could get to it, if, again, he really is willing to sacrifice everything. The sporting sphere presented is full of stereotypical men for whom American football is the be all and end all, often at the expense of empathy and any perceived aspects of weakness.
The Verdict
Him is a thematically rich (sometimes too rich) meditation on what greatness means and what it requires, set to the hugely relevant backdrop of elite sport. It may not be for everyone, and does miss some beats, but it is a unique horror film sure to leave you thinking.
Words by Jamie Rooke
Him released in UK cinemas on October 3.
Support the Indiependent
We’re trying to raise £200 a month to help cover our operational costs. This includes our ‘Writer of the Month’ awards, where we recognise the amazing work produced by our contributor team. If you’ve enjoyed reading our site, we’d really appreciate it if you could donate to The Indiependent. Whether you can give £1 or £10, you’d be making a huge difference to our small team.