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When Him, the newest film starring Marlon Wayans, hit theaters, many professional critics pounced. Words like “confusing,” “overdone,” and “unnecessary” dominated early reviews, quickly labeling the project as another misstep in Wayans’ career. But here’s the truth: the critics are wrong—completely wrong. Him is not only one of the most ambitious works Wayans has delivered, but also a surprisingly layered, smart, and bold movie that challenges expectations.

This wouldn’t be the first time a film was misunderstood at release. In fact, history is filled with examples of movies that critics initially dismissed, only for audiences later to crown them classics. If we’re being honest, Him is more in line with those misunderstood gems than the quick-to-condemn reviews suggest. If you’re hesitant about watching this movie because of the reviews, let’s dismantle the “bad press” and reveal why Him is actually great cinema hiding in plain sight.

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The Problem With Rushed Reviews

Critics often watch films through a particular lens, judging them against expectations, genre standards, or even an actor’s past body of work. In Wayans’ case, many assume he will only lean into broad parody or slapstick—the style he’s most famous for in Scary Movie and White Chicks. Because of that preconceived notion, Him was unfairly boxed in before the credits even rolled.

But what Wayans attempts in Him is both daring and impressive. Instead of pure parody, he delivers a genre-bending mix of psychological thrills, social commentary, and deeply personal comedy. The tonal balance might catch viewers off guard, but that doesn’t mean it’s a failure. In fact, pushing boundaries has always been what keeps cinema relevant.

Think about how Fight Club was called a mess when it first debuted, or how The Shining was once slaughtered by critics as “boring” and “visually indulgent.” Today, those are top-tier cultural touchstones. Bad reviews didn’t mean the films were bad—it just meant the critics weren’t quite ready for them. The same dynamic is happening with Him.

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Misunderstood Greatness: Historical Precedents

To really hammer this home, let’s look at some famous examples of movies that were once trashed but are now beloved.

• Blade Runner (1982)
  Upon release, Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner was called slow, confusing, and visually overwhelming. Critics complained it lacked heart and clarity. Today? It’s hailed as one of the greatest sci-fi films of all time and a visionary blueprint for worldbuilding. Him is experiencing the same early backlash—too bold, too weird, too ahead of its time.
• The Thing (1982)
  John Carpenter’s horror masterpiece was criticized as “disgusting” and “pointless” when it first landed. Many brushed it off as exploitation. Decades later, it’s considered one of the most influential horror films ever made. Wayans’ willingness to mix genres in Him follows that same spirit—something that feels “too much” at first might be deeply resonant in hindsight.
• The Big Lebowski (1998)
  Coen Brothers fans didn’t know what to make of it upon release. Critics dismissed it as meandering and unfunny. Now? It has a cult following, unique festivals dedicated to it, and mainstream recognition as a one-of-a-kind comedy classic. Him’s offbeat humor could easily be remembered the same way.
• Children of Men (2006)
  Alfonso Cuarón’s dystopian masterpiece underperformed and received mixed reviews, often called “depressing” and “structurally clumsy.” Yet today it’s considered a visionary piece of cinema. People might not recognize Him’s brilliance immediately, but time changes perception quicker than we think.

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The Strengths of Him

So what is it that makes Him actually so successful despite the noise around it? Quite a lot, actually.

• Performances: Marlon Wayans delivers one of his most nuanced roles to date. He balances humor with moments of vulnerability, proving that his comedic persona can stretch into drama effortlessly.
• Tone: Instead of sticking to safe territory, the movie blends genres in bold, refreshing ways. You laugh, you tense up, you reflect—and that emotional rollercoaster is exactly what good cinema should provide.
• Themes: Beneath the comedy lies commentary about identity, perception, and self-awareness. Wayans sneaks in social critique with levity, a skill many comedians-turned-actors (Jim Carrey, Adam Sandler, Robin Williams) have proven can produce enduring performances.
• Direction: Risk-taking direction keeps the film unpredictable. At a time when formulaic blockbusters dominate theaters, Him dares to be unapologetically weird. That’s a strength, not a weakness.

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Why Critics Misread Films Like This

The backlash to Him boils down to two factors: expectation and discomfort.

• Expectation: Many reviewers wanted another Scary Movie-type parody, when instead Wayans gave them something harder to categorize. This mismatch bred disappointment that turned into harsher reviews.
• Discomfort: Truly original films rarely land smoothly on first viewing. When something feels strange, critics often default to calling it a “failure”—but years later, those same qualities are rebranded as “genius.”

Think of how Kubrick, Lynch, and Anderson have all dealt with this. Their films were called self-indulgent or confusing during their releases, only to later be enshrined as visionary. Wayans isn’t always put in that category, but maybe he should be.

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Audience Reception Could Change the Narrative

This is where things really get interesting. Audience scores are already shaping up differently from critic reviews. Regular moviegoers are finding Him funny, smart, and surprisingly deep. That gap between critic reception and audience embrace has happened before—The Greatest Showman, for example, was widely panned by critics but loved by audiences, ultimately enjoying massive box office legs and long-lasting popularity.

The same could easily happen here. Once streaming services pick up Him, more people will get a chance to engage with it without being primed by negative critic takes. That’s when word-of-mouth could elevate it to cult status, if not beyond.

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The Legacy Him Could Build

Imagine we’re writing about Him ten years from now. Will it be listed among bold Marlon Wayans career choices that redefined how people saw him? Easily. Will it potentially get its own cult following like The Big Lebowski? Very likely. Will critics eventually soften their stance, admitting they misread the movie on release? Almost guaranteed.

Every misunderstood movie story begins this way—with dismissive reviews, confused audiences, and a general sense of “wait, what is this?” But that doesn’t doom a movie. In fact, it often means it will outlast the endless cycle of forgettable, safe Hollywood content.

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Final Thoughts

The rush to dismiss Him is short-sighted. Marlon Wayans has proven here that he’s capable of creating work that is daring, thought-provoking, and endlessly entertaining. Critics can label it “messy,” but to audiences willing to give it a chance, what emerges is a surprisingly cohesive vision—funny, raw, risky, and memorable.

Great films are rarely understood right away. If Blade Runner, The Thing, and The Big Lebowski had stayed buried by bad reviews, cinema would have missed out on generations of influence. Let’s not make that mistake again.

So when it comes to Him, ignore the critics and see for yourself. Chances are, you’ll agree that Marlon Wayans has delivered something far better than the headlines suggest. With time, history will look back kindly on Him—and those who dismissed it will have to admit they got it wrong.

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