HIM was a gruesome psychological horror film from Monkeypaw Productions that turns meeting your idols into a nightmare, starring Tyriq Withers, Marlon Wayans, Julia Fox, and many others. Although it is rated 31% on Rotten Tomatoes, the script and acting really had my attention the entire movie. However, with Jordan Peele as one of the producers, many noticed symbolism in the film.
It follows Cameron Cade’s dream to join his favorite professional football team, the Saviors. During one of the opening scenes, he is attacked by a masked fan and left with a fractured skull and concussion before the league’s combine, forcing him to miss out. Desperate to make it to his dream profession, he soon meets his childhood idol, Isaiah White. This mistake led to his descent into madness, all to prove to Isaiah White that he is willing to sacrifice anything to accomplish his dream.
Though the Cade family doesn’t have the best connection, as seen throughout the film, they’re one of the reasons why Cameron Cade is putting himself through this. However, there’s regret among the family because of the loss of his father, Cameron Cade Sr. Even though Cameron Cade doesn’t feel the same passion, he internally struggles with supporting his family and what he truly desires.
While they make Cameron Cade more relatable through his backstory, the other characters don’t provide much about their personal life, except for one. Marko is Isaiah White’s personnel doctor, who is constantly trying to hint at Cameron Cade to escape before it’s too late. Marko also shares how he had to give up everything to work for Isaiah White, which shows how striving for greatness doesn’t just apply to athletes. While others, like Mrs. White, played by Julia Fox, were there to progress the movie and had no development throughout the story.
I enjoyed this movie; it felt mysterious at times, and it was one of my favorite movies to come out this year. However, many viewers and critics felt they couldn’t connect to the main character, Cameron Cade, in his tragic story. I give this movie 4 out of 5 stars because it had a great plot, and breaking down the movie was fun, but I felt the pacing of the film was a little rushed.
