Him director didn’t expect to get so much hate from US critics: “Everyone became Regina George on me”

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The new horror film Him hasn’t been well-received by critics. Before its release in UK cinemas today (Friday 3rd October), the movie received many negative reviews – it currently has a score of only 31 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes.

It’s honestly amazing to me how much debate there’s been about what the work was *supposed* to mean, or how people thought it should be understood, or even what we were trying to achieve when we created it,” he explained. “But honestly, nobody – not even the studio – predicted I’d receive this much negativity from American critics, and it’s been really tough.”

He went on to say, “The initial test screenings all went really well. Then, all of a sudden, it felt like everyone turned on me – they were treating me like I was Regina George, and just saying, ‘Fk that guy and fk his film,’ which was awful, honestly. I was really down – I thought, ‘Wow, maybe I shouldn’t ever make another movie. What’s going on here?’ And a lot of it was beyond my control. But hey, that’s showbiz, baby!”

Tipping also mentioned that a few days after he was initially let down, he noticed that even with the bad reviews, plenty of people still enjoyed the film.

He stated, “My nephew enjoying the film is what’s most important.” He continued, “All of my colleagues had a wonderful experience, and that’s what really counts.” And he added with a laugh, “It definitely felt like we created something rebellious. I’d actually be proud if this turned out to be a critically disliked film!”

He further clarified that getting strong reactions – whether positive or negative – was actually preferable for him to a lukewarm response. He stated that indifference would have been his “actual nightmare“.

I’d prefer people have strong reactions – either love it or hate it – particularly now that we’re seeing more original content emerge, like Sinners and Weapons,” he said. “I really needed to do this project. I understand how unusual it is for a first-time studio director to lead something completely original. And so fk ’em!”

Following the first round of reviews, Marlon Wayans – the lead actor who portrays a famous football player mentoring a promising young quarterback – shared a post on his Instagram. He explained that many of his previous films were initially criticized, but later gained a large and dedicated fanbase.

He described the film as a cult classic, explaining that enjoying it means you’re part of a dedicated fanbase – those who appreciated it early on. He said, “If you’re ahead of the curve and you enjoy the movie you gotta be a part of the cult.”

And if it doesn’t become popular right away, it’ll likely be considered a classic in the future, and you might regret not recognizing its potential now. Why? Because your opinion will have been shaped by how others viewed the work.

Wayans also stated that, although he held critics in high regard, he personally considered Tipping to be a visionary. He believed Tipping delivered the best performance of his career in the movie.

I’m hearing really good things from audiences already. He told me he’s been flooded with positive feedback from people who’ve had a chance to see the film. It’s always encouraging to hear when a movie is resonating with regular moviegoers, and it sounds like this one is definitely doing that. Early word of mouth seems strong, which is a great sign!

You know, I really enjoy reading the comments I get. They pretty much always say the same thing: ‘Fantastic movie, amazing film, incredible performance, this is your best work yet!’ It’s really something to see. There’s a lot to be said for how regular moviegoers react, honestly. It’s incredibly rewarding. I think that genuine connection with the audience is what it’s all about. It means a lot.

I believe it’s actually quite forward-thinking. That’s another aspect, isn’t it? It’s similar to White Chicks [his 2004 comedy film], right? It was way ahead of its time – two Black actors portraying white women, and discussing pop culture. If you consider films like Scary Movie, Don’t Be A Menace… we’ve consistently explored similar themes. I think this movie is one of those that will resonate more with audiences later on, because it’s a bit ahead of its time.

He also suggested that viewers in the UK could be more receptive to the film than those in the US.

I believe people in the UK will really enjoy this, especially considering the time difference – you’re ahead of us! And the UK is known for its unique sense of humour… It’s always been a bit different. Think about Monty Python – it was way ahead of its time, and when it came to the US, we were all like, ‘What is this?’

Look, I get it. I think the US sometimes lags a little bit – we’re not always first to the punch, you know? It feels like we can be a bit slow on the uptake at times. It’s just an observation, but it’s something I’ve noticed. Honestly, it’s not a huge deal, but it’s there.

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2025-10-03 13:18