HIM the film has people divided on whether the film is a must-watch or if it’s only being hyped due to comedian-turned–in-demand Hollywood producer/director Jordan Peele producing the sports thriller. Even with the negative reviews and low Rotten Tomatoes score, HIM is a film that makes people think deeper beyond the plot.
Are the events of Isaiah White, portrayed by Marlon Wayans, being the GOAT in football real-life events that happen in the sports world? Do sports leagues only care about their star players, even when they have head injuries that cause CTE, like Cameron “Cam” Cade, portrayed by Tyriq Withers?
HIM made me think deeply and focus on Elsie White, wife to Isaiah White. With the current retrospective of WAGs—wives and girlfriends of athletes—being seen as unattainable, millions of people still view vlogs from WAGs on social media, especially TikTok. Julia Fox’s character does an amazing job of being the top WAG in the film—think Savannah James or Victoria Beckham of football in this world. She has her own social presence.
Even though Elsie White does not have more than ten scenes in the film, she is very crucial to the plot, so I decided to do my own digging. Julia Fox, in an interview, discussed that Elsie White’s backstory was cut out from the film. Julia Fox told Polygon.com:
“So she did have a backstory. Unfortunately, it didn’t make it into the film, but it was written. She came from a broken home and had abusive parents, a bad relationship with her mom, and no money. And she met Isaiah White in high school and saw that he was going places. She latched on, and then that was the catalyst into her going off and becoming a GOAT in her own right, building her own empire, becoming the Gwyneth Paltrow of WAGs and killing it.”
Even with her white eyebrows and dark eyeshadow look that totally serves for an odd reason I have to stan, Elsie White is someone willing to allow her partner to put football first and make sacrifices that are demonic because of her own backstory. If someone willingly allows their husband to put football before family, is fine with being called a God according to his fans, and will probably be satisfied with another championship trophy to end his GOAT reign if one of his loved ones passed. Obviously, I have my reasons to side-eye Marlon Wayans’ great acting and Elsie White.
Elsie White is someone willing to allow her husband to make all the sacrifices in exchange for envy from other women, millions of followers, and a life in a house worth millions. One may say that she was there for Cameron during his training with Isaiah, which is true—but with sinister meaning.
Ultimately, Elsie White is an interesting character. Even while having a small yet impactful role in HIM, in my eyes, she is more loyal to power than love. In the ending scene, with Elsie being the only woman to encourage Cam to sign the contract to take over Isaiah’s reign, alongside his agent and the team, is a major sign I loved seeing incorporated. She was willing to put up a façade just to be adored.
Is Elsie White on the sidelines? Yes. Think of Elsie White as the person you tell your friends there is something wrong with—but they never believe you.
