HIM review: More of a music video than a movie
The reviews for the sports psychological horror HIM have been very negative but I always try to go in with an open mind. I’m afraid to report that I’m with the majority – this is not a good movie.
The film stars Tyriq Withers as Cameron Cade, a promising American football player who has caught the interest of the San Antonio Saviors. To see if he’s got what it takes to be the team’s new star quarterback following a brain injury, Cameron is invited for a week’s training at the remote compound of his hero, the retiring QB, Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans). Needless to say, nothing is quite what it seems, and they take the expression “no guts no glory” a bit too literally.
There are some good moments and really cool visuals here. But they don’t amount to a whole lot. The premise is good but it never really builds upon it and it’s not enough to sustain a whole feature. In many ways, it feels more like a music video than a feature with proper scenes. It was like director Justin Tipping focused his energy on the vibe and layering all the trippy visuals and symbolism and weird hallucinations and forgot to add any substance to his story. There is very little going on underneath the surface and it feels very repetitive – training sequence, recovery, creepy presumed hallucination. Rinse and repeat.
HIM isn’t an outright horror for the most part. It has an intense, unnerving atmosphere and White – who has clearly lost the plot – tests how far Cade will go to be the GOAT and this leads to some crazy moments. Although the hallucinogenic visuals are repetitive, you feel a bit off-kilter because you don’t know what’s real and what’s not. There is a spattering of blood and gore throughout but it really levels up in the final act. The third act, which looks awesome but is narratively empty, would have been fun and exciting if Tipping had built up to it properly. It doesn’t feel earned and almost comes out of nowhere.
Wayans is the star of the show. White is intense and unhinged and has some crazy training ideas. He’s so unpredictable and you have to be on guard when he’s around. Withers may be the lead but Cade isn’t that interesting; he’s mostly just reactionary. As a former football player, Withers looks the part and nails the sports aspect, but he’s quite bland as a character. Julia Fox also pops up and gives a camp, OTT and fun performance.
HIM had the potential to be awesome, but it fumbles its premise by opting for style over substance.
In cinemas from Friday 3rd October