Jordan Peele, known for his groundbreaking horror films like Get Out and Us, has produced a new sports horror film titled Him. While the premise is intriguing – a chilling exploration of the dark side of football – the execution unfortunately fumbles, leaving audiences wanting more.
Starring Marlon Wayans and Tyriq Weathers, Him attempts to blend the psychological thrills Peele is known for with the intense world of professional football. However, many critics are finding that the film doesn’t quite live up to the hype, despite strong performances from its leads.
A Promising Concept, Flawed Execution
The Premise and Potential
Him delves into the cutthroat world of professional football, exposing the physical and psychological toll it takes on its players. The film attempts to explore themes of concussions, contractual pressures, and the overall dehumanization that can occur within the sport. The initial concept held significant promise, particularly with Jordan Peele’s involvement, raising expectations for a sharp, socially conscious horror experience.
The film’s premise centers around a rising football star (Tyriq Weathers) and his complicated relationship with his agent (Marlon Wayans). As the player’s success grows, he becomes increasingly haunted by a mysterious and malevolent presence, hinting at the dark sacrifices and hidden costs associated with achieving fame and fortune in the sport.
Where the Film Falls Short
Despite its intriguing premise and strong performances, Him struggles to fully realize its potential. Some reviews point to a lack of focus and a narrative that becomes muddled as the film progresses. The horror elements, while present, often feel underdeveloped and fail to create a sustained sense of dread or suspense. The film seems to grapple with balancing its social commentary on the exploitative nature of football with the more traditional horror tropes, ultimately succeeding at neither.
Furthermore, the film’s pacing has been criticized as uneven, with moments of intense drama followed by stretches of slow, uneventful scenes. This inconsistency detracts from the overall viewing experience and prevents the film from building the necessary momentum to deliver a truly satisfying climax. The blending of genres, a hallmark of Peele’s previous work, feels less seamless here, resulting in a final product that feels tonally disjointed.
The Performances
One of the film’s saving graces is the performances of Marlon Wayans and Tyriq Weathers. Wayans delivers a nuanced portrayal of a sports agent grappling with his own moral compromises, while Weathers effectively captures the vulnerability and growing paranoia of a young athlete under immense pressure. Their on-screen chemistry adds depth to the characters and provides some of the film’s most compelling moments.
However, even strong performances cannot fully compensate for the film’s underlying narrative issues. The characters, while well-acted, often feel underdeveloped, and their motivations remain unclear. This lack of depth makes it difficult for the audience to fully invest in their journeys or to truly empathize with their struggles.
Jordan Peele’s Production Influence
Peele’s Track Record in Horror
Jordan Peele has established himself as a prominent voice in the horror genre, both as a director and a producer. His directorial debut, Get Out, was a critical and commercial success, earning him an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Peele followed up with Us and Nope, further solidifying his reputation for creating thought-provoking and socially relevant horror films. These films expertly blend scares with sharp social commentary, making audiences think while keeping them on the edge of their seats.
As a producer, Peele has been involved in a number of successful horror projects, including Candyman (2021) and Lovecraft Country. These projects share Peele’s signature style of exploring complex social issues through the lens of horror. His involvement often signals a certain level of quality and thematic depth, leading to high expectations from audiences and critics alike.
How Him Differs from Peele’s Other Work
While Him carries Peele’s name as a producer, it lacks the distinct directorial vision that characterizes his own films. The film’s social commentary, while present, feels less incisive and impactful than in Peele’s previous works. The horror elements also feel more conventional and less innovative, failing to deliver the same level of psychological depth and unsettling atmosphere.
It’s important to note that Peele’s role as a producer differs significantly from his role as a director. As a producer, he provides guidance and support to the filmmakers, but he is not directly involved in the day-to-day creative decisions. This difference in involvement may explain why Him feels less cohesive and less distinctive than Peele’s own directorial efforts. The film may have benefited from a stronger directorial hand to fully realize its potential.
The Delay and its Implications
The release of Him has faced several delays, which can sometimes indicate production issues or a lack of confidence in the final product. While delays are not always indicative of a film’s quality, they can contribute to heightened anticipation and scrutiny from audiences and critics. In this case, the delays may have inadvertently raised expectations for Him, making its eventual shortcomings even more apparent.
Adding to the frustration, Jordan Peele’s next directorial effort has also faced delays. Initially slated for a 2024 release, the film has been pushed back, leaving fans eager for his next unique vision. This delay further underscores the anticipation surrounding Peele’s work and highlights the disappointment some may feel with Him not fully meeting expectations.
Themes and Social Commentary
Concussions and Player Safety
One of the central themes explored in Him is the issue of concussions and player safety in professional football. The film touches on the long-term health consequences that players face as a result of repeated head trauma, raising awareness about the physical toll the sport takes on its athletes. This theme is particularly relevant given the growing concern about chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and its prevalence among former football players.
By incorporating this theme, Him attempts to shed light on the ethical responsibilities of the sport’s governing bodies and the need for greater protection for players. The film suggests that the pursuit of profit and entertainment often comes at the expense of player well-being, highlighting the inherent conflict between the sport’s commercial interests and the health of its athletes.
The Exploitative Nature of Professional Sports
Him also delves into the exploitative nature of professional sports, exposing the power dynamics between players, agents, and team owners. The film portrays the players as commodities, whose value is determined solely by their performance on the field. This dehumanization can lead to a disregard for their personal lives and well-being, as they are often pressured to prioritize their careers above all else.
The film explores how agents can sometimes exploit their clients for personal gain, prioritizing lucrative contracts over the long-term interests of the players. This theme raises questions about the ethical responsibilities of agents and the need for greater regulation to protect athletes from exploitation. Him suggests that the pursuit of wealth and fame can corrupt even those who are supposed to be looking out for the players’ best interests.
The Price of Fame and Success
Another prominent theme in Him is the price of fame and success. The film suggests that achieving a high level of success in professional sports often comes at a significant cost, both personally and professionally. Players may face immense pressure to maintain their performance, leading to anxiety, stress, and burnout.
The film also explores the isolation and loneliness that can accompany fame, as players may struggle to maintain genuine relationships and to trust those around them. The constant scrutiny from the media and the public can also take a toll, making it difficult for players to lead normal lives. Him suggests that the pursuit of fame and success can be a Faustian bargain, requiring individuals to sacrifice their personal well-being in exchange for recognition and wealth.
A critical look at Him review – Jordan Peele-produced football horror is a disappointing fumble, despite its potential.
Critical Reception and Comparisons
Mixed Reviews
Him has received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its performances and thematic ambitions, while others criticizing its muddled narrative and underdeveloped horror elements. The film currently holds a middling score on review aggregator websites, indicating a lack of consensus among critics. This mixed reception suggests that Him may not appeal to all audiences, particularly those expecting a consistently thrilling and thought-provoking horror experience.
Some critics have noted that the film’s social commentary, while relevant, feels somewhat heavy-handed and lacks the subtlety of Peele’s previous work. Others have pointed to the film’s uneven pacing and lack of scares as major weaknesses. However, many critics have praised the performances of Marlon Wayans and Tyriq Weathers, acknowledging their ability to bring depth and nuance to their characters.
Comparisons to Other Sports Horror Films
Him has been compared to other sports horror films, such as Black Swan (which explores the psychological toll of professional ballet) and The Fan (which delves into the dark side of sports fandom). However, Him distinguishes itself by focusing specifically on the world of professional football and its unique set of challenges and pressures.
While some critics have drawn comparisons to Peele’s own films, such as Get Out and Us, Him lacks the sharp social satire and unsettling atmosphere that characterize those works. The film’s horror elements feel more conventional and less innovative, failing to deliver the same level of psychological depth and suspense. Ultimately, Him struggles to establish its own distinct identity within the sports horror genre.
The Impact of Expectations
The involvement of Jordan Peele as a producer undoubtedly raised expectations for Him. Peele’s reputation for creating thought-provoking and socially relevant horror films has led audiences to anticipate a certain level of quality and thematic depth. However, Him may not fully meet these expectations, leaving some viewers feeling disappointed.
It’s important to remember that not every film can be a masterpiece, and even the most talented filmmakers can sometimes miss the mark. While Him may not be a perfect film, it still offers some worthwhile moments and raises important questions about the world of professional sports. Audiences should approach the film with an open mind and avoid setting their expectations too high.
Key Takeaways:
- Him, produced by Jordan Peele, explores the dark side of professional football but struggles with execution.
- Marlon Wayans and Tyriq Weathers deliver strong performances, but the narrative feels muddled and underdeveloped.
- The film touches on themes of concussions, exploitation, and the price of fame, but lacks the sharp social commentary of Peele’s other works.
- Critical reception has been mixed, with some praising the performances and thematic ambitions, while others criticizing the uneven pacing and lack of scares.
FAQ
What is Him about?
Him is a sports horror film that explores the dark side of professional football, focusing on themes of concussions, exploitation, and the price of fame. It follows a rising football star as he grapples with a mysterious and malevolent presence.
Who stars in Him?
The film stars Marlon Wayans and Tyriq Weathers in the lead roles. Wayans plays a sports agent, while Weathers portrays a young football player.
Is Jordan Peele the director of Him?
No, Jordan Peele is not the director of Him. He serves as a producer on the film. Peele’s involvement raised expectations, given his track record with horror films like Us.
What are the main criticisms of Him?
The main criticisms of Him include its muddled narrative, uneven pacing, and underdeveloped horror elements. Some critics have also noted that the film’s social commentary feels somewhat heavy-handed.
Is Him worth watching?
Whether or not Him is worth watching depends on individual preferences. While the film has its flaws, it also features strong performances and raises important questions about the world of professional sports. Viewers should approach the film with an open mind and avoid setting their expectations too high.
In conclusion, Him presents an interesting premise and benefits from strong performances by its leads, but ultimately falls short of its potential due to a muddled narrative and underdeveloped horror elements. While it may not reach the heights of Jordan Peele’s previous work, it still offers some worthwhile moments and raises important questions about the dark side of professional football. If you’re a fan of sports horror or interested in the themes explored in the film, it may be worth checking out. However, be prepared for a somewhat uneven and ultimately disappointing experience. Perhaps revisiting Peele’s other produced works like Candyman would be a better next step.
