Critics Don’t Think Him Has It

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The new sports thriller, *Him*, directed by Justin Tipping and produced by Jordan Peele, seems to reveal all its secrets in its trailers. Critics generally agree the film is visually interesting but lacks substance. It follows a college athlete, Tyriq Withers, who is mentored by a mysterious and intense quarterback, Marlon Wayans. This mentorship involves brutal physical training combined with psychological manipulation at a secluded training facility. While the movie has some striking scenes, it ultimately leads to a disappointing conclusion. Many are calling it a blend of *American Horror Story* and the world of football.

While some performances were highlighted, most critics didn’t think the movie *Him* succeeded. Marlon Wayans received praise, with *Rolling Stone* noting his ability to add a darkly ironic edge as the film became increasingly chaotic. Julia Fox also earned positive attention for her role as Wayans’ eccentric wife. However, these bright spots weren’t enough to save the film from being considered a disappointment.

While the marketing for the film *Him* highlights Jordan Peele as a producer, it was actually directed by Justin Tipping, who previously made the visually striking indie film *Kicks* in 2016. Since then, Tipping has been working steadily in television, and *Him* feels like he’s showcasing all his filmmaking skills. At times, the movie comes across as an ambitious, well-funded student project, clearly trying to demonstrate technical prowess, as noted by critic Bilge Ebiri of Vulture.

I really regret going to see this movie. I wasted over an hour traveling from the north side of Chicago just to get there, and then stood in line for snacks. To top it off, I sat through the whole thing, and now I can’t stop thinking about how bad it was. Robert Daniels at RogerEbert.com calls Justin Tipping’s football horror film ‘putrid and hollow,’ and can’t understand how it got the support of producer Jordan Peele – it’s just incomprehensibly awful.

Pete Hammond of Deadline commented that Him’s marketing campaign feels overly dramatic, portraying their quarterback as a messianic figure reminiscent of Christ on the cross, with the slogan ‘Greatness demands sacrifices.’ Hammond jokingly added that movies, at the very least, should make sense.

David Fear of *Rolling Stone* criticizes the film for taking important themes – a sports league built on the exploitation of Black athletes – and failing to deliver a compelling story. While the idea of a horror film about this subject is interesting, the movie doesn’t live up to its potential, feeling rushed and lacking focus.

This sports thriller flirts with horror elements, but never quite becomes genuinely spooky or frightening, even though it tries. While it has some visually interesting moments, the movie is generally weak and relies heavily on its actors to carry it – they’re less the stars of the show and more like a temporary fix holding things together.

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2025-09-20 02:54