Film Review — Him

Justin Tipping’s horror satire depicting American football as pagan idolatry isn’t subtle or deep, but I still found it entertaining

Credit: Universal

This horror from producer Jordan Peele’s production company Monkeypaw is a curious beast. Him makes satirical broadsides at the idolatry of celebrity culture, specifically in American football. Effective broadsides, in my view, although Justin Tipping’s film features a few plot holes and lacks clear explanations. But do clear explanations matter in a horror story of this sort? Personally, I think the more explained a horror story is, the less scary it is. On the other hand, I acknowledge that some viewers don’t like to be left scratching their heads.

Up-and-coming football star Cameron “Cam” Cade (Tyriq Withers) has bigger problems with his head, namely an assault by someone in a goat costume who sneaks up behind his back and bludgeons him, causing a career-threatening skull injury. However, help is at hand from legendary San Antonio Saviours quarterback Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans), a childhood hero of Cam, also idolised by his late father. Isaiah offers Cam the chance to undergo a week of training at a remote desert compound, where he can prove he will be a worthy successor.