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.  He thinks his prospects are ruined until Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans), the legendary quarterback for the Saviors who is contemplating retirement, invites Cam to train with him at his isolated compound in the desert to see if he has what it takes to replace him.  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 gladiator contests once did in ancient Rome because that also seems very accurate.  It definitely condemns the violence inherent in the game as well as 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, sometimes even absurd (especially a twist in the third act), but I think the disorientation serves to emphasize how completely Cam must lose himself in order to succeed. I was impressed with the performances because Wayans is absolutely unhinged and Withers does a good job portraying the pressure that players are under but I especially loved Julia Fox because she provides a lot of comic relief as White's influencer wife.  There are flaws and it is definitely not for everyone (it is extremely violent and unsettling) but my nephew and I both kind of dug it.