‘Him’ Mostly Fumbles Its Sports-Horror Ambitions

Lead Critics delivered mixed verdicts on Him, Justin Tipping’s Jordan Peele-produced sports-horror thriller starring Marlon Wayans and Tyriq Withers, after its wide release on September 18, 2025. Praise for Wayans’s performance and the film’s striking visuals is tempered by complaints about its muddled themes and uneven tone.

Nut Graf Tipping’s elevated horror attempt uses the brutal world of professional football as its setting, but reviewers argue that Him never fully coalesces its critique of athletic sacrifice with genuine scares. While some applaud its surreal, body-horror sequences and digital cinematography, others find the narrative disjointed and lacking in tension.

Key Takeaways

  • Marlon Wayans earns nearly unanimous acclaim for his magnetic portrayal of veteran quarterback Isaiah White, whose invitation to train a rising star becomes a nightmarish test of mind and body.
  • Critics are divided on the film’s blend of genres: Screen Rant calls it “thematically muddled” with a half-realized psychological horror edge, while Variety commends its “gripping and surreal cinematic experience.”
  • The film’s heavy reliance on X-ray-style injury visuals and surreal hallucinatory sequences draws both admiration for technical bravado and criticism for feeling gimmicky.
  • Many note that Him raises relevant questions about player safety and the sport’s gladiatorial culture but fails to sustain either its satirical bite or consistent thrills.

Major Details Subheading: Strong Performances Amid Narrative Wobble Reviewers agree that Wayans anchors the film, bringing intensity and nuance to Isaiah White’s mentor-turned-antagonist. Tyriq Withers also garners attention for his committed physical performance as Cameron Cade, though some say his character lacks sufficient development beyond his obsession with football.

Subheading: Style Over Substance? Him shifts away from conventional sports-drama tropes, favoring pulsating electronic scores and sleek digital cinematography. Variety highlights director Justin Tipping’s “trippy elevated horror” approach, likening the film’s tone to a more accessible version of Matthew Barney’s experimental work. Yet multiple reviewers argue that visual flair cannot compensate for a script that “refuses to properly engage with its themes” (RogerEbert.com).

Subheading: Horror Elements and Body Trauma Graphic depictions of concussions, blood transfusions and bone fractures-often shown with literal X-ray effects-underscore the film’s critique of football’s physical toll. Some critics find these moments powerfully unsettling; others describe them as overused, diminishing their impact.

Subheading: Audience Takeaway For viewers drawn to genre hybrids and star-powered horror, Him offers memorable performances and striking imagery. Those seeking cohesive storytelling or traditional scares may leave unsatisfied, feeling the film fumbles its potential as both sports satire and psychological thriller.

Bullet Points for Online Scanning

  • Marlon Wayans shines as the charismatic, menacing mentor.
  • Tyriq Withers’s physical commitment praised, though character depth questioned.
  • Surreal body-horror visuals earn both applause and “gimmick” critiques.
  • Narrative coherence suffers from abrupt tonal shifts and underdeveloped themes.
  • A provocative commentary on football’s sacrifices that doesn’t fully land.

Him runs 96 minutes and is rated R for graphic sports violence and language.