As records continue to fall in almost every human endeavour, the argument remains: is it science or just raw will that powers these achievements? With the ever-growing lists of TUE (therapeutic use exemption) medications, it’s hard to look past the science. Training methods, dietary restrictions, and psychological studies are also contributing to these statistics.

No sport is affected more by these advancements than Gridiron Football (the American kind). With that in the background, Director Justin Tipping and his team of writers Zack Akers, Skip Bronkie and Justin Tipping have created an examination of the absolute extremes and win-at-all-cost ethos that some will go to in the pursuit of athletic excellence.

Even though the story is told in a manner that is the polar opposite of a documentary, HIM makes its thoughts crystal clear. Bathed in a completely surreal feel with arresting visuals and using a psychological horror approach that eventually turns ultra-violent, you are never left with a thought of anything less than condemnation.

Using professional sport as the launching pad for our society’s fascination with overachievement and cloaking it in a horror genre exercise gives the film an assertive presentation. It’s surrealism makes sure that you never quite know the reality of the situation or its ever-changing direction. It’s quite the crazy ride.
Rob Hudson
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From Oscar® winner Jordan Peele and Monkeypaw Productions, producers of the landmark horror films Get Out, Us, Candyman and Nope, comes a blood-chilling journey into the inner sanctum of fame, power and the pursuit of excellence at any cost.

From an acclaimed Black List screenplay by Zack Akers & Skip Bronkie (creators of the sci-fi crime series Limetown), HIM centers on a promising young football player, invited to train at the isolated compound of a dynasty team’s aging QB1.

Marlon Wayans stars in an electrifying dramatic role as the legendary quarterback, and former college athlete Tyriq Withers (I Know What You Did Last Summer, Atlanta) plays his protégé. The film also stars Julia Fox (Uncut Gems, No Sudden Move), Tim Heidecker (First Time Female Director, Us), comedian Jim Jefferies (The Jim Jefferies Show), and hip hop phenoms Guapdad 4000 and Grammy nominee Tierra Whack, both in their feature film debuts.

HIM is directed by Justin Tipping (Kicks, Joe vs. Carole) and is produced by Ian Cooper (Nope, Us), Jordan Peele (Nope, Get Out), Win Rosenfeld (Candyman, Lovecraft Country) and Jamal M. Watson (Hala, Sprinter) for Monkeypaw Productions and is executive produced by David Kern (The Bikeriders, Flamin’ Hot) and Monkeypaw’s Kate Oh.

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From an acclaimed Black List screenplay by Zack Akers & Skip Bronkie (creators of the sci-fi crime series Limetown), HIM centers on a promising young football player, invited to train at the isolated compound of a dynasty team’s aging QB1.

Marlon Wayans stars in an electrifying dramatic role as the legendary quarterback, and former college athlete Tyriq Withers (I Know What You Did Last Summer, Atlanta) plays his protégé. The film also stars Julia Fox (Uncut Gems, No Sudden Move), Tim Heidecker (First Time Female Director, Us), comedian Jim Jefferies (The Jim Jefferies Show), and hip hop phenoms Guapdad 4000 and Grammy nominee Tierra Whack, both in their feature film debuts.

HIM is directed by Justin Tipping (Kicks, Joe vs. Carole) and is produced by Ian Cooper (Nope, Us), Jordan Peele (Nope, Get Out), Win Rosenfeld (Candyman, Lovecraft Country) and Jamal M. Watson (Hala, Sprinter) for Monkeypaw Productions and is executive produced by David Kern (The Bikeriders, Flamin’ Hot) and Monkeypaw’s Kate Oh.
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From Oscar® winner Jordan Peele and Monkeypaw Productions, producers of the landmark horror films Get Out, Us, Candyman and Nope, comes a chilling journey into the inner sanctum of fame, idolatry and the pursuit of excellence at any cost, featuring an electrifying dramatic performance from Marlon Wayans (Air, Respect).

HIM stars former college wide-receiver Tyriq Withers (Atlanta, the upcoming I Know What You Did Last Summer) as Cameron Cade, a rising-star quarterback who has devoted his life, and identity, to football. On the eve of professional football’s annual scouting Combine, Cam is attacked by an unhinged fan and suffers a potentially career-ending brain trauma.

Just when all seems lost, Cam receives a lifeline when his hero, Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans), a legendary eight-time Championship quarterback and cultural megastar, offers to train Cam at Isaiah’s isolated compound that he shares with his celebrity influencer wife, Elsie White (Julia Fox; Uncut Gems, No Sudden Move). But as Cam’s training accelerates, Isaiah’s charisma begins to curdle into something darker, sending his protégé down a disorienting rabbit hole that may cost him more than he ever bargained for.

The film features a dynamic supporting cast including alternative comedy legend Tim Heidecker (First Time Female Director, Us) and Australian comic Jim Jefferies (The Jim Jefferies Show), plus MMA heavyweight fighter Maurice Greene and hip hop phenoms Guapdad 4000 and Grammy nominee Tierra Whack, all three in their feature film debuts.

HIM is directed by Justin Tipping (Kicks) from an acclaimed Black List screenplay by Zack Akers & Skip Bronkie (creators of the sci-fi crime series Limetown) and by Justin Tipping. The film is produced by Ian Cooper (Nope, Us), Jordan Peele (Candyman, BlacKkKlansman), Win Rosenfeld (Candyman, Lovecraft Country) and Jamal M. Watson (Hala, Sprinter) for Monkeypaw Productions and is executive produced by David Kern and Monkeypaw’s Kate Oh.
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His alignment with the shoe company Nike and the contract he signed that gave him a percentage of each shoe with his name on it was groundbreaking and changed the industry overnight. Air provides a fascinating look at the human endeavour behind the scenes of this monumental event.

Matt Damon is Sonny Vaccaro, the Nike employee most responsible for signing Jordon to the brand. A brand at the time that was lagging in sales in the basketball shoe market. The film, through the soundtrack and bad fashion, sells the eighties era as does Damon’s dad bod and daggy dress sense.

The film is less about the game of basketball and more about marketing and the monetising of celebrity sports figures. Its take on a pivotal event in an industry that had never shared profit with its endorsees is illuminating. It is well-paced and concludes leaving you wanting more. It is recommended even if you have no interest in the sport.
Rob Hudson
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This moving story follows the career-defining gamble of an unconventional team with everything on the line, the uncompromising vision of a mother who knows the worth of her son’s immense talent, and the basketball phenom who would become the greatest of all time.

Starring Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman, Chris Messina, Matthew Maher, Marlon Wayans, Jay Mohr, Julius Tennon, with Chris Tucker and Viola Davis, Air will be released in Australian cinemas April 5!
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