‘Him’ is a 2025 American supernatural psychological sports horror film directed by Justin Tipping and produced by Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions. The film stars Marlon Wayans, Tyriq Withers, and Julia Fox, among others. Its plot follows the trials of a young up-and-coming football player, Cameron Cade, played by Withers, who is training at the isolated compound of an aging, nearly retired quarterback, portrayed by Wayans. From a very young age, Cade has been groomed by his father to become a great football player, to be, if you will, “The Goat” (greatest of all time). The original title was going to be ‘GOAT’, but due to trademark issues, it was changed to ‘Him’.
From the very start of the movie, we see spiritual influences. Cade’s family is rooted in their Christian faith, initially represented by his father. The film explores the conflict between good and evil throughout its narrative. While many may debate this spiritual connection, even the advertising poster for the movie has Cade covered in blood in a pose resembling that of a crucified man.
‘Him’ was released in the United States by Universal Pictures and is currently receiving mixed reviews from various sources. Although the movie includes strong references to the conflict between good and evil, few reviews address these concepts in depth. I would have liked to see a little more detail regarding the plot and backstory.
Visually, ‘Him’ is a well-shot film, and both Marlon Wayans and Tyriq Withers deliver excellent performances in their respective roles. Wayans, known for his comedic background, is likely to be considered for a supporting actor nomination during the Oscar season. He is, in a word, terrific, displaying a wide range of emotions required for his character.
While football and training serve as a backdrop, ‘Him’ does not feature any football games. Instead, the film focuses on the spiritual struggles of selling oneself out and the consequences that follow for oneself and others. Numerous times, we see the characters grapple with the order of priority and importance: God, Family, and Football. Cade struggles with his experiences and the decisions he must make, becoming aware that while others may have their best interests at heart, they may not truly care about Cade outside of how his actions impact them.
The overarching spiritual theme revolves around good vs. evil and the Satanic influences manifested in characters whose main goal is to serve Satan for their own glory. While football serves as the backdrop, the concepts of evil, following God, and vocation apply to all areas of life. This echoes the classic tale of Robert Johnson in the Delta of Mississippi, who allegedly sold his soul to the devil for fame as a musician. Cade faces a similar dilemma regarding football, and ultimately, that battle comes to a head.
It will be interesting to see how this movie performs at the box office. I expect it will receive a mix of love and hate, which is okay. While the film has all the technical aspects down—from cinematography to acting and direction—I’m still uncertain about how I feel about this theater experience or whether I even liked the movie. I found it intriguing.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate ‘Him’ a solid 7 for its thought-provoking spiritual plot and incredible acting.
