Heralded as one of the most anticipated horror releases of September 2025, HIM arrives with Jordan Peele as producer (though not director), and the hype surrounding it was sky-high. The film follows a legendary American football star who refuses to let go of his glory days after winning eight consecutive Super Bowls. Obsessed with staying at the top, he'll do anything, even eliminate his successor.
Marlon Wayans gives a surprisingly dark performance as the villain, blending psychological torment with physical brutality. He's chilling, unpredictable, and undoubtedly one of the film's strong points. Tyriq Withers, on the other hand, cements himself as a rising star. His performance is so magnetic and raw that you can't look away every time he appears on screen.
Director: Justin Tipping
Writers: Zack Akers, Skip Bronkie, Justin Tipping
Stars: Marlon Wayans, Tyriq Withers, Julia Fox
The film starts off strong: the first act grabs you instantly, and the second, though a bit uneven, offers enough excitement to keep you hooked like a roller coaster ride. Unfortunately, when the third act arrives, everything falls apart. Instead of a shocking ending, the story collapses under awkward decisions, awkward dialogue, and a conclusion that feels more like a parody than a denouement.
The "sacrifice" subplot becomes incoherent, with biblical references colliding with demonic imagery. Goats appear repeatedly, emphasizing the idea that Satan is masquerading as God, but the message is muddled. Even Marlon Wayans' chilling line about "Football first, family second, God third" gets lost in the chaos of an ending that devolves into a circus-like absurdity.
And then there's the infamous line, "If you let me go, I'll suck your dick," which comes out of nowhere. Without any development or subtext to support it, it feels shockingly out of place and distracts from everything the film had strived to build. Instead of heightening the tension, it completely derails it.
The character of Miss White (the woman with light hair and white eyebrows) is a visual oddity throughout the film, and when she finally appears on screen, it almost seems like the film is making fun of itself. However, by then, the damage has been done.
The most disappointing thing is that the film's context—fame, glory, sacrifice, and the price of never letting go—had great potential. The first two acts demonstrate that HIM could have been something special. But the third act ruins everything, leaving viewers more confused than satisfied.
Final verdict: HIM is a missed opportunity; it's worth seeing for Marlon Wayans' chilling portrayal of villain and Tyriq Withers' brilliant performance, but the botched ending drags it down into disappointment. If you're curious, check it out, but this film can definitely wait until its release.
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