Him (2016– ) User Reviews

Uneventful

[scythertitus · 6/10 · 8 January 2017]

There is a reason some stories aren't told and HIM is a good example of this. The name itself conjures up images of a kind of demonic force of infamy, but instead it is a very personal tale about a teenager going through a tough family life.

I believe the title and tone are very purposeful, they make you think this is going to go down like Chronicle or Carrie, but in the end nothing really happens, the point being that people aren't monsters in real life. While this is actually a good message it doesn't make for the most compelling television, which is probably why even as a mini-series the show is pretty short at three episodes.

Overall I can see HIM appealing to people who have been in similar situations emotionally, but in terms of solid entertainment, especially if you are expecting anything horrific, I would say you will probably be disappointed. There are some solid parts to this mini-series but when you are trying to prove a point by not delivering on something that is heavily implied by title and tone it is hard not to disappoint.

A bit too short, even for a mini series. Needs Closure.

[iambrunoferreira · 7/10 · 10 November 2016]

This is one of the best mini series coming from itv that I've had the pleasure of watching, but at only 3 episodes long I don't think it was nearly long enough to bring full closure to the viewers.

The way they progressed through it seemed a bit rushed at times. Granted, I still enjoyed it and in some parts of the series the immersion was fantastic, however, I think it needed at least 3 more episodes to make justice to the awesome story and script this show has.

Considering all this, I can only give this one a 7 I'm afraid, would go for an 8 if properly executed, I have to say though, they have the right formula in there for a successful Drama/Sci-fi TV show.

I found it intriguing

[pktexas · 7/10 · 21 August 2021]

I watched this because of James Murray the actor, not knowing much about it and found it intriguing, not sure why it was so hated but then I watch TV to be entertained, and I was. And always enjoy seeing favorite actors.

It's watchable, but laden with clises, so the lack of originality weighs negatively.

[maria-ricci-1983 · 6/10 · 14 November 2016]

*The following summary may contain spoilers*.

This is the 3-part story of a teenager with telekinetic destructive powers which he has inherited from his grandfather, of whose existence initially only he and his grandmother know.

The story is retold by a witness narrator, the boy's step-sister, to whom he decides to confide as a final farewell.

The action evolves as the main character gradually finds out the impressive power he possesses, the scope of the destruction he is able to unleash and the emotional suffering which triggers the bouts. He consults with a shrink who is a sensible and caring figure for him and tries to protect him.

The boy has no place in the new families of both his divorced and remarried parents, with new siblings and step-parents who are cold-hearted and do not bother to hide they don't like him.

He also finds out that his grandfather committed suicide to prevent himself from hurting others, and this identificatory urge also looms upon the boy as a menace. In the end, he takes a dramatic turn as a way to deal with his peculiar and difficult life.

*** As a plus, the story is decently acted, it is short enough not to lose viewers' interest, and it flows smoothly.

As a minus, it works in a middle ground between horror genre, psychological drama and introspective life-story, and this may be a good or a bad thing depending on what you like. If you like horror about a teenage with telekinetic powers, Brian Di Palma's Carrie did a whole lot better than HIM.

The main problem to me lies in the many common places visited in the story: adolescence as a trigger stage for supernatural powers, a teenage with family issues and frustration, a teenage with telekinesis and fear of his own destructive abilities, the doctor who tries to use the boy to promote her personal interests--- You get the feeling that you've seen the same plot so many times before.

Even so, these failures don't invalidate the effort as a whole. The young actor and his step sister both perform nicely.

It is a 6,5 to me. Not bad but also not remarkable.

Intriguing and subtle, sort of unresolved in a good way

[joepm28 · 7/10 · 19 March 2024]

I went in to HIM not really knowing what to expect. I found it engaging and mostly in a challenging way. Yes, it has the affectation of never actually calling the protagonist (Fionn Whitehead) by his name, just him. It also has shades of Kyle XY, though in a much more British than American way.

The series is more about the angst of a 17 year old trying to figure out how he fits in to the two new families his divorced parents have both moved on with, seemingly leaving him behind. Oh, and he also has supernatural powers - or does he? It is rather well done in that regard, where I at least was questioning were his telekinetic powers real or was this kid just delusional. The entire cast was good, giving real feeling of trying to make their own lives work while not knowing how to deal with a troubled teen. It was also well done being kept at just three episodes. Overall, I'd recommend giving it a watch.

Annoyingly cut short!

[khunkrumark · 3/10 · 13 November 2016]

I should have done my homework... I'm a bloody idiot!

The first drama that has captured my attention for a while started off pretty good. There are a lot of ways you can go with a chap who has telekinetic powers, right?

Nope... not in this annoying addition to the supernatural genre.

For a chap who gets 20 nosebleeds an episode you'd think he'd carry around a hanky, right? Nope, not this snowflake! He's happy to bleed all over his hands.

The talented chap gets taken to a quack by his therapist, who he found out about on the internet... and promptly loses his temper with her when he finds out that she really is a quack... just like he'd read about on the internet!

A usual, there are minorities featured in unlikely parts because that's just how real life is, right?

This program has found a way to ruin a good idea in every way possible!

I think I have worked out what possibly happened... they shot the first couple of episodes thinking it would pan out into at least a six-parter and then someone told them the production company had gone bankrupt. The show was then forced to somehow tie up everything in the third stupid episode which made no sense at all.

North America and the UK are headed in opposite directions when it comes to making good telly these days. Was it really only 10 years ago that we all wet ourselves laughing at the rubbish created across the pond? Oh, how times have quickly changed!