HIM

alented NFL draft pick Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers) is invited by retired quarterback legend Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans) to train at his secluded desert compound. White pushes his prodigy to the limit with his brutal and unorthodox teaching methods. As the training intensifies, Cade begins to question the physical and mental sacrifices required to become the G.O.A.T. His dreams eventually come to fruition when his favorite team “The Saviours” decide to sign him, but by then he has doubts. Wayans is unnerving as White, a juiced up megalomaniac whose demeanour frequently switches from furious to friendly. He surrounds himself with sycophantic yes-men who follow his every command, even at the cost of physical harm. Toxic masculinity oozes at every turn, as White relentlessly pushes Cade towards his obsessive standards of excellence. Hints at Cade’s fate are subtly implied with references to the Last Supper and the Prodigal Son. Set against minimalist, stylised backgrounds showcasing stunning architecture, the film features innovative x-ray effects that show what happens internally to bodies during the violent sequences. A bizarre group of White’s fans act as a metaphor for the fanaticism found in some die-hard sports fans, and they add a warped element to the story. Watch for Julia Fox, brief ex-girlfriend of Kanye West, as White’s deranged wife Elsie. Despite its negative reviews, I enjoyed this movie. It’s an intense, bloody journey about the cost of power. No guts, no glory.