Him

I was really intrigued by the trailer for Him so my nephew and I went to see it last night.  It has received mostly negative reviews but I actually liked it and what it has to say about the culture of football.  His father wants Cameron "Cam" Cade (Tyriq Withers) to be the greatest football player of all time so he continues playing even though his heart is no longer in it just to please him.  Years later, he is now a star quarterback being eyed by the eight-time world champion San Antonio Saviors but a traumatic brain injury prevents him from participating in the league combine.  Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans), the legendary quarterback for the Saviors, is contemplating retirement so he invites Cam to train with him at his isolated compound in the desert to see if he has what it takes to be the best.  He subjects Cam to more and more disturbing physical and psychological tests which culminate in a one-on-one battle to the death to see who will be the starting quarterback. I found this to be incredibly thought-provoking.  The metaphor comparing football to religion, the players to messianic figures, and the fans to zealots is fascinating because it actually rings true.  I also liked the theme that football serves the same purpose that gladiatorial contests once did in ancient Rome because that also seems very accurate.  It definitely condemns the violence inherent in the game as well as the exploitation by the owners, management, and agents who value the money to be made from the sport over the well-being of the players.  The cinematography and editing are very chaotic and the tone is surrealistic, and sometimes even absurd (especially in the third act), but I think this serves to emphasize how completely Cam must lose himself to be able to compete at the next level. I was impressed with the performances because Wayans is completely unhinged and Withers does a good job portraying the pressure that players are under but I really loved Julia Fox as White's influencer wife because her performance is so campy.  This is definitely not for everyone (it is extremely violent and unsettling) but my nephew and I both really dug it.