“Him (2025)” is a gorgeous, vicious sports-horror about the cult of football—GOAT rituals, fame as religion, and a prospect pushed to the brink. Here’s our spoiler-free take… then full spoilers.

We just left opening night: stunning visuals and killer performances clash with heavy-handed symbolism and a wobbly mid-section. We break down the “Jordan Peele effect” (producer vs director), the blood-rite GOAT mythology, and that gnarly final set piece—plus why we still recommend supporting original horror even when it fumbles the ball.

• First Impressions (Spoiler-Free): “Too many ideas,” brilliant look & acting, marketing framed as a quasi-Peele film.
• What Works: Visual design; strong leads (Wayans/Withers); dark humor; set-piece finale that sticks the landing aesthetically.
• What Fumbles: Overstuffed symbolism, pacing drop mid-film, side characters are underserved, cult thread feels shoehorned.
• Themes We Chew On (Spoilers): GOAT mythos/“I’m him,” blood heritage, gladiator lineage, the machine/ownership, temptation and image-making.
• Sports & Body Horror: Brain injury, pressure to perform, hints of CTE anxiety filtered through horror.
• Verdict & Ratings: Not “worst of the year,” closer to 6–6.5/10; audience will split along expectations.

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