Marlon Wayans does not appear to be thrown by the critical response to his new football-centric horror movie, Him.
The actor stars alongside Tyriq Withers in director Justin Tipping‘s film that counts Jordan Peele as a producer. Receiving a C- CinemaScore from audiences, Him opened this weekend in second place at the domestic box office with a projected $13.5 million, which was below earlier estimates of $15 million.
Wayans took to Instagram on Friday to defend the project in light of negative reviews that have led to a current 28 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. His post included a carousel of Rotten Tomatoes scores for some of his previous films that have become well-regarded among fans, including White Chicks and the first two Scary Movie features.
“Just to be clear… I respect critics,” Wayans wrote in the caption. “Their job is to Critique. I respect their work. It shapes our industry. But an opinion does not always mean it’s everyone’s opinion. Some movies are ahead of the curve. Innovation is not always embraced and art is to be interpreted and it’s subjective.”
The star continued, “I’ve had a career of making classic movies that weren’t critically received and those movies went on to be CLASSICS. So don’t take anyone’s opinion just go see for yourself. Love to all. Him in theaters now.”
Universal‘s Him follows a rising quarterback (Withers) who gets an offer from an aging player (Wayans) to learn how to succeed at any cost.
In his review of Him for The Hollywood Reporter, critic Frank Scheck wrote, “While it starts out promisingly, it seriously devolves in its second half into a surreal phantasmagoria that’s more gonzo than chilling.”
During a conversation with THR at the film’s premiere, Wayans explained that his versatility as a performer made him appealing to the Him team: “They’re like, ‘You’re one of one. You’re the only one who is doing what you’re doing at the level that you’re doing it. Other people have — Robin Williams, Eddie Murphy, Jim Carrey — but right now, the world hasn’t seen your everything, so let’s go do it.’”
