Him’s director explains the real meaning of “GOAT” and how he decided on Cam’s fate in the 2025 film. Directed by Justin Tipping, Him blends supernatural horror with sports drama, following an up-and-coming football player as he trains with a nearly-retired quarterback and his pro team, the Saviors, on an isolated compound, uncovering a sinister truth about the group.
Tyriq Withers stars as Cam, and he is joined by actors such as Marlon Wayans, Julia Fox, and Tim Heidecker. Released on September 19, 2025, Him debuted to a disappointing Rotten Tomatoes score, although it has since fared better with audiences, earning a 58% for its striking visuals, eerie tone, and layered messaging, quickly gaining traction among genre fans.
Now, in an interview with USA Today, director Justin Tipping has revealed deeper insight into the ending of Him and the dark mythology at the center of the film, explaining the real meaning behind the film’s use of “GOAT.” While most people associate the acronym with “Greatest of All Time,” in Him, the word has a much more sinister interpretation.
The word “GOAT” refers to Mammon, a demon god of greed and money who is often depicted as a horned figure or goat, who is the true supernatural force behind the Saviors’ decades of success. Director Tipping explains, “There’s TikToks where people summon this guy. You can evoke him. We don’t say the name out loud but it’s implied.”
As for Him’s ending, Tipping revealed he wrote several versions. One ending featured Cam saying yes to the deal, continuing the cycle in a version Tipping says would have been more of a “cautionarytale.” However, the theatrical version opts for a more cathartic resolution. Cam refuses the offer, fights back, and kills the people orchestrating the Saviors’ unholy legacy.
Tipping explains, “For me, in that moment, (Cam) is saying to himself, ‘Well, even if I die or something happens, at least I’ll have saved the next generation or another kid from being pulled.’” Talking about the connection to the opening, where Cam was told “real men” make sacrifices and “that’s what love is,” Tipping explains the film’s hopeful climax:
“It’s an end to a system. It is an answer. It is not the open-ended horror trope ending like he says yes and it’s going to go on and the curse is never going to end,” the director says. “This felt like, no, it can end. It just takes courage.”
What This Means For Him’s Themes & Legacy
Tipping was intentional about avoiding a typically ambiguous or hopeless finale, but this doesn’t mean Him’s ending is neatly optimistic. It’s still very bleak, violent, and unsettling. However, there’s a sense of finality and courage in Cam’s actions as he actively chooses not to become the thing that destroyed those before him, transforming Him into something empowering amid the horror.
Furthermore, the layered metaphor of Mammon is an interesting addition and adds substance. By making the “GOAT” literally demonic, Him critiques the obsession with greatness at any cost and the toxic mindset that follows. In the end, the film questions what people are willing to sacrifice for fame, power, or wealth, and who pays the price as a result.
Our Take On Him’s Ending & The GOAT Metaphor
The deeper meaning behind “GOAT” adds a chilling layer to Him, driving the film beyond being about football or the supernatural and into a commentary on systems of greed and control that feed on ambition and trauma. Furthermore, it’ll be interesting to see the alternate endings teased by Tipping in the home release, and how this would’ve affected the film.
