“Him” Offers Freakish Social Insights

Him (Justin Tipping, 2025) 4 out of 5 stars

With the backing of producer Jordan Peele, director Justin Tipping (Kicks) crafts a twisted and impactful look at the price of being a football superstar. Him is a wonderful mixture of nightmarish sequences, powerful social commentary, and electrifying characters that are taken on a bloodthirsty joyride through the inner workings of fame and fortune. While Tipping’s film feels a bit disjointed towards its conclusion, Him still offers a consistent and driven narrative that brings the viewer along for both a terrifying and eye-opening experience.

Him follows Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers, I Know What You Did Last Summer), an up-and-coming college football quarterback who is on the path to being a successful sports player. When Cameron is brutally assaulted, resulting in a serious head injury, his future—including his dreams of becoming one of “the greats”—is at stake. But when legendary football star Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans, Respect) gives Cameron the chance of a lifetime to train with him and his team at a private, secluded getaway, Cameron’s sees his shot at fame and fortune become a possibility again. As Cameron gets to training, however, it becomes frighteningly clear that he will have to endure savage circumstances to prove his worth and become the next big superstar.

It becomes amazingly clear right off the bat that Tipping and Peele are on the same wavelength in terms of creative output, as Him resonates tremendously with movies like Peele’s Us and Nope. Additionally, I would be surprised if Withers’ portrayal of a character caught in intense, life-threatening circumstances doesn’t help launch his career the same way Daniel Kaluuya’s career launched after Peele’s Get Out. The narrative of Him pulls the viewer in, twisting and turning in shocking ways and delivering gory, blood-soaked shock value (and just in time for Halloween!), all within good taste and moderation. Tipping keeps the viewer guessing and rooting for Cameron as he navigates a hellish setting and stakes. Wayans is both alarming and charming, bringing a tinge of his classic comedic timing but putting it secondary to a much fiercer and more sinister role than we have seen him in to date.

The strongest element of the film is the social commentary about what goes behind a celebrity lifestyle and the pressures of keeping up a certain image to maintain said status. “What are you willing to sacrifice?” and “No Pain, No Gain” are revisited frequently, and potently reflect the real-life pressures of stardom in both visuals and visceral ways. Julia Fox (Uncut Gems), as Mrs. Elsie White, as well as a band of seductive female supporting parts and mysterious men-in-suits men, unveils the menacing plot behind the football games. Tipping throws one final set of plot points at the viewer to come full circle and explain the big reveal that the film has been leading up to. In the process, Him goes a bit overboard with its ending, and loses the momentum and suspense it has had the entire time, with a climactic plot point that feels all too saturated in recent horror filmmaking and rushing the final sequences to bring the film to a screeching halt.

While Him sputters a bit in its finale, overall Tipping has brought us a feature film that has a lot to say about the industry and what it takes to achieve greatness. Fans looking to get their fix of spooky, chilling Halloween-style action will adore some stimulating horror sequences, and fans of the Jordan Peele formula will also delightfully get their fix of culturally significant ideas, impactful messages, and twisted storytelling. While Tipping does not break new ground with here, he certainly carries the mantle well and presents a film that may leave viewers thinking twice about this year’s football season. 

Adam Vaughn

Adam Vaughn is a graduate of the Film & Moving Image program at Stevenson University, with a focus in Cinematography and Production. He also has a minor in Theater and Media Performance. Adam works as a freelance photographer and videographer, focusing his craft on creating compelling photographic and cinematic imagery. Adam is excited to join the Film Festival Today team and explore the world of cinema and visual arts.