HIM (2025)

HIM is a Jordan Peele produced horror which sees Tyrian Withers play Cam who is given the chance to train with his childhood hero Isiah (played by Marlon Wayans). Cam suffers a brain injury and so it is a sort of last chance type thing. The thing about Cam is that he seems like a nice guy who wants to do well for his family and to honour his deceased father but as the film progresses it becomes clear that this bootcamp will require to go above and beyond what is expected if he wants to be the new G.O.A.T.

I have to admit that I was slightly disappointed with this film. It seemed like it was being pitched as Whiplash with some occult thrown in for good measure. Strange things happen in this film just for the sake of it so ultimately this is a slightly disappointing film. It is one that has some good points but it wouldn’t have taken much to make it one of the best horror films of 2025.

That’s not to say that there aren’t things to like. I thought that Marlon Wayans stole the show. I haven’t been the biggest fan of his and felt like he didn't have a good performance in him but this film proved me wrong. It was clear that he was not what he appeared to be and Wayans seemed to be enjoying playing this type of character and showing the world he has range. I also thought that Tyriq Withers. Last time I saw him was in the ‘I Knew What You Did Last Summer’ rehash and this is by far the stronger performance. The change that he goes through is subtle and even at the end you still end up rooting for him.

The final scene is what redeems the whole thing for me. I think because it felt like the closest the film came to something making sense happening although for some it might have come too late. The idea of a football owner being in league with the devil and trying to get someone to sell their soul for fame and fortune is potentially a bit cliched but at least it was something that made sense in a film that seemed to be style over substance. I think sticking ‘from producer Jordan Peele’ was to try and get people who liked his other stuff to come a see this film cause otherwise it might struggle although I still think that it's going to struggle because people may not want to spend 100 minutes watching a film about football.