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Him: A Descent into Greatness, a Pact with the Profane


There are films that merely entertain, and then there are those that burrow into the deepest caverns of our consciousness, leaving us to grapple with their echoes long after the credits roll. Justin Tipping's Him, executive produced by Jordan Peele, is unequivocally the latter. For many, like myself, it's a cinematic experience that "hits home," a "crazy mindbend" replete with "so much symbolism" that "speaks loud" with an almost poetic intensity. Yet, it's precisely this audacious depth that leaves others scratching their heads, a testament to its divisive, thought-provoking power.

From the outset, Him plunges us into a world where the pursuit of greatness becomes an almost demonic obsession. We meet a young protagonist, driven by the legacy of a legendary football star—a figure who, despite a career-altering injury [07:13], embodies ultimate sacrifice for victory. This initial scene sets a visceral tone, forcing us to confront the brutal realities of ambition and the lengths one will go to achieve the pinnacle.

Marlon Wayans, in a performance that shatters comedic expectations, delivers a portrayal of the titular "Him" that is both captivating and chilling. His character is a complex blend of mentor, manipulator, and perhaps, a Faustian tempter. The film brilliantly explores the concept of "Him"—not just as an individual, but as an archetype of ultimate achievement. As the reviewer on "The Reel Review" notes [26:48], "him is just you that you that dude... you the greatest you that dude you you him."

The narrative unfolds as our young athlete, grappling with his own career-threatening injury [11:02] and the recent loss of his father [13:39], is invited to train with Wayans' character. What begins as an intense, almost gladiatorial training regimen [18:54]—pushing physical and mental limits with questionable methods like mysterious injections [17:30]—slowly devolves into a descent into the esoteric. The film asks: how much are you willing to sacrifice? How far are you willing to go to be the greatest?

This is where Him truly becomes a "mindbend," as the symbolism becomes increasingly overt and unsettling. The "Reel Review" highlights the bizarre rituals, the "Illuminati shit" [35:41], and the chilling "satanic stuff" [38:14] that permeate the later acts. The discovery of "goat blood" [40:20] as the source of greatness, the metaphorical pacts, and the final confrontation with the shadowy "San Antonio Saviors" [41:43]—complete with pig and goat masks—paint a stark picture of a world where success demands a piece of one's soul. The reviewer aptly points out [46:12] that the movie may be a "metaphor for the people that kind of... jeopardize their integrity, they give up something... they do things the wrong way, they kind of give up things to become the best on the journey to being the best they kind of get lost they lose their way."

While some viewers might find the abrupt shift into supernatural, almost demonic territory disorienting or even off-putting, it is precisely this narrative daring that elevates Him beyond a mere sports drama. It’s a bold artistic statement about the hidden costs of ambition, the seductive allure of power, and the Faustian bargains made in the pursuit of ultimate victory. The protagonist's eventual rejection of this dark path, choosing integrity over a pre-ordained, corrupt greatness [43:44], resonates profoundly, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the psychological horror.

Him is not an easy watch, nor is it meant to be. It challenges our perceptions of success, reminding us that true greatness often comes at a price far steeper than we imagine. It’s a film that demands conversation, inviting us to look beyond the surface and ponder the unseen forces that shape our relentless drive to be "him."

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