Podcast: ‘HIM’ Gets Uncertified

Sometimes it feels like sports movies and horror movies are star-crossed lovers. Despite not having much in common on paper, both genres of cinema are perfect breeding grounds for reflections on body horror and toxic masculinity. And while Justin Tipping's HIM may have landed with a bit of a thud, we have a sneaking suspicion that it will eventually earn its audience as a smart and stylish hybrid of our favorite genre tropes.

Ever since he was born, Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers) has been dope. Cade was pushed hard by his father all throughout his childhood and now, days before the football combine, he is considered a generational talent at quarterback. But after a violent assault leaves him recovering from a head injury, Cade worries that his career might be over before it even starts. Now the only thing standing between him and obsolescence is a one-on-one session with Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans), the former GOAT whose fanatical and hyperviolent training regimen soon breaks Cade down both body and mind.

In this short excerpt from the episode, Matt Donato explains why he thinks other film critics are wrong to penalize HIM for being too blunt:

It's talking to horror fans and football fans, and I'm not going to make any assumptions about about the common football fan, because I am one, but Id on't know. In today's modern world, a lot of people need messages spelled out in neon lights and traced in blood. If it's not in their face, it goes over their head.

The HIM episode of the Certified Forgotten podcast is now available to stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music, or the podcast platform of your choice.