One of the most talked about releases of last year was The Substance, a horror film that tapped into, amongst other things, the lengths celebrities go to in maintaining their physical beauty and staying relevant in a highly competitive entertainment industry.  It’s not a revelatory theme but director Coralie Fargeat and star Demi Moore packaged it in a blunt, hyper-exaggerated way to jolt audiences.  Both earned Academy Award nominations for their efforts.

Him heads down a similar path with the finger pointed at professional sports.  Cameron Cade (Withers) is a gifted, hard-working quarterback who has finished college and is likely to the #1 draft pick in the pro leagues.  The only possible hiccup is a recent concussion which has many questioning his longevity and price tag.  The San Antonio Saviors have their eye on Cade but before making a contract offer, they want to put him through a rigorous boot camp at the expansive home of soon-to-be-retiring Isaiah White (Wayans), an 8-time championship winning player considered the greatest of all time.

That’s when things get strange. Cade receives injections and other medical advice from a weird doctor, he submits to unusual training techniques that leave one competitor with a disfigured face, he encounters deranged fans who are obsessed with his mentor, and he starts hallucinating to the point where reality and fiction are difficult to discern.  He knows something is amiss but he’s also incredibly close to achieving a lifelong ambition.  To reach the top in professional sport, a few sacrifices need to be made… right?

It’s a topic worth covering.  I once chatted with an AFL footballer about concussions and, to be concise, they said the risk was worth the reward.  They acknowledged it may be something they deal with later in life but that’s just part of a business that also offers fun, money and fame.  In addition to the worthy subject matter, I also like the way American director Justin Tipping (Kicks) infuses his creation with distinctive production design and cinematography.  It provides a visual feast.

Despite its many positives, the film struggles to weave its ideas together into a clear, credible narrative.  Characters made head-scratching decisions, certain plot points are undercooked, and it builds to a rushed, weakish finale that could have provided more in terms of drama and impact.  It’s a missed opportunity to create a cool epic but Him still deserves a look-see.