Jordan Peele's latest production, HIM hit theaters this week after a lot of anticipation. Peele has made quite the name for himself in the horror movie world, especially after his debut Get Out. Peele had even more success with Us and Nope, so naturally the expectations for HIM were extremely high. However, Peele is only a producer and took a back seat to give director Justin Tipping his chance. HIM begs the question, would it be better if Jordan Peele was the director?
HIM follows rising star quarterback Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers) and his desire to be the best. Cade is attacked late at night after a football practice and suffers a traumatic brain injury. He is advised to slow down and wait to play but he ignores the warnings against doctors wishes. In order to play for his dream team he is offered the chance to train with the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time), Isaiah White.
Isiah White (Marlon Wayans) is a legend in football but he ultimately suffered his own injury putting a halt to his career. White is training Cade to take his place and to be the best of the best. But the training is not at all what Cade expected and the dream quickly turns into a nightmare when he realizes White is no idol. Cade has to figure out just how much he's willing to sacrifice in order to be the greatest.
To answer my own question, I personally feel that HIM would have faired better in the hands of Peele. I went in with high expectations like everyone else simply because Peele's name is attached. This isn't normally a movie I would go out of my way to see but after seeing Nope, I'd follow Peele anywhere. However, HIM was nowhere near the same playing field as Get Out or Nope.
Director Justin Tipping is not credited with widely known movies. The most recent film is Kicks (2016) and received an 85% on Rotten Tomatoes in comparison to HIM's 29%. So where did HIM go wrong?
HIM is a little too on the nose for its own good. After watching the trailer so many times in theaters I knew the movie would lean into the idea that American football is its own kind of cult. The rise and fall of great athletes is something that is watched and obsessed over year after year. Tipping tries to shine light on the cut throat sport but doesn't do anything outstanding. Instead he tries to hold your hand and walk you through all of his references so there is no ambiguity (at least in my opinion).
The cult of American football is not the only predictable thing in the movie. I'm sure anyone can guess the sinister plan behind White's vigorous training. I won't spoil anything but jealousy is always a main motivator and a great cause of tension. But the tension is always short lived and doesn't amount to any satisfying conclusion.
My last critique is with the lackluster ending. Like I said the tension never seems to last long enough and when it finally hits its climax, I lost interest. The ending feels out of place with the rest of the movie and turns into a ritual that is reminiscent of Ready or Not. I wouldn't even classify HIM as a horror movie, there were no real scares just more of the psychological stuff. The fact that it isn't scary is not a point against it but it didn't deliver in any genre, and quite frankly I was kind of bored.
Now HIM is not a terrible movie, for all of its faults there are some strengths. You can tell that Peele was involved simply due to the interesting imagery and beautiful cinematography that is similar in style to his previous films. The lighting in the movie is always captivating and very much appreciated. One of my favorite aspects of the movie is the use of X-Ray. Multiple times in the movie Peele uses X-Ray to showcase injuries and just how brutal football can be.
Now I can give credit where credit is due, this movie would be nothing without its cast. Tyriq Withers, Julia Fox, and Marlon Wayans are the real heart of the movie. Wayans stands out amongst the rest breaking through his normal typecast. He delivers an unforgettable performance and the best one of his career. Julia Fox will always have a special place in my heart and she is always a fun character to watch no matter who she is playing. Withers is a new name to me but one I won't forget anytime soon. Withers and Wayans play off each other perfectly as they fight for the spotlight.
HIM doesn't shy away from social commentary with heavy influence of religion, the brutality of American football, and the high price to pay for fame. The message behind HIM is that the people we idolize aren't always deserving of the pedestal we place them upon. We as a society are guilty of making celebrities out to be Gods and idolizing them as a form of religion. Isaiah White is the celebrity that everyone considers to be the "G.O.A.T." who is known to have devoted fans that treat him like he is God. There are multiple references to religion throughout the movie and that HIM serves as a cautionary tale about what happens when we praise the wrong people.
HIM is still a watchable movie and one I would still recommend to horror fans. I would leave all expectations at the door and go in with an open mind instead.
HIM is now playing in theaters.