Alex Reviews "Him"

When discussing Him, it would be necessary for me to clarify that it is not a horror film. It is allegory disguised as a psychological thriller. As artistic thrillers go, they will always be divisive, and the newest Monkeypaw Productions film will certainly be that.

 Cameron Cade is the next phenom coming into professional football when he is offered a dream scenario of participating in an offseason training program with his idol, Isaiah White, the greatest quarterback to ever play the game. The man whom Cam’s father worshipped and molded his son to be exactly like on the field, but during his time with, Cam discovers that greatness comes with a staggering price.

Justin Tipping (Kicks) takes us on an incredibly dark and stylistic journey through the trappings of sports stardom and the expendable product every athlete, no matter the quality. Despite the picture feeling as if there is only three or four settings, it never feels stale based on how the director adjusts the shots and focus of the scene. Allowing his actors to be bigger than the surroundings. I’d be curious to see behind the scenes to learn if the erratic deliveries were intentional to match the discomfort and varying nature of the subject matter. The visuals used in certain scenes also plays interestingly, though at times feels over extended without clarification. My understanding of those scenes meshes well with the emotions and physicality.

Speaking of those erratic deliveries, they were fully on display with Marlon Wayans as the aforementioned Isaiah White. He ranges from paternal to goofy to terrifyingly intense without missing a bit or a “boop” along the way.

Tyriq Withers (I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025)) performs admirably as his disjointed delivery feels somewhat natural to a young man teetering between youthful deference and development into the demands of a football icon. He remains endearing despite the horrific things occurring around him.

The biggest surprise to me was Jim Jeffries performance as Marco. I have been a fan of his for years, but there is some real talent on display that is accented by his humor rather than catered to him. An almost powerless guardian attempting to save a young man from an existence of servitude would have never made me think Jim Jeffries, but it plays.

As another viewer said, “This will do terrible at the box office, but it will be a cult classic eventually.” That is a brilliant description as I believe there is some brilliance to the story and the way the movie is structured over Cam’s week with the GOAT. In hindsight, it feels dogmatic, and I worry that the unique delivery might turn off some audiences who miss the depth either by the stick and move storytelling or the completely misfitting close of the film. I look forward to discussing each of these, but to do so here would be a spoiler.

Feeling a connection to the subject based on my Catholic school, athletic background might have made me more receptive to the film, but I wouldn’t be surprised at anyone’s response. Regardless of background, Him is a must watch movie when it releases on September 19^th. Just be prepared to have strong opinions in either direction.