They/Them

They/Them approaches its horror material with more interest in character than a quick synopsis might suggest. Directed by John Logan, it leans on Kevin Bacon and Theo Germaine to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws LGBTQ, group and teenagers into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. The film's first job is to make that setup feel worth following, and it establishes the necessary stakes efficiently.

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The strongest scenes build dread patiently and let the setting do part of the work. Sound, shadow and performance combine to create tension, giving the film a mood that survives even when an individual scare is familiar. Unfortunately, the film rarely settles into a convincing rhythm. Scenes arrive with clear intentions but limited emotional build, leaving the cast to supply weight that the writing has not earned. The premise still has appeal, yet too much of that potential remains on the page.

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Kevin Bacon and Theo Germaine carry much of the emotional responsibility, and their different approaches keep the central relationship from becoming one note. Anna Chlumsky makes a strong impression without pulling focus from the main line. John Logan's direction gives reactions time to register, which is important in a film where a look or hesitation can communicate more efficiently than another explanatory exchange.

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Thematically, They/Them is interested in fear as a response to lost control, isolation and the suspicion that familiar spaces can no longer be trusted. The scares carry more weight when they grow from those pressures, turning atmosphere into an extension of character rather than a separate attraction. The film is most persuasive when these ideas emerge from behaviour rather than speeches. That additional layer gives the story more purpose than a sequence of familiar genre beats, even if every implication is not explored with equal depth.

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The filmmaking supports suspense through limitation. Framing withholds useful information, the edit stretches moments without stopping them, and sound often points toward a threat before the image confirms it. These choices are familiar, yet they are applied with enough discipline to keep the viewer alert to space, silence and the possibility of a sudden change.

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The largest issue is a lack of dramatic accumulation. Events happen, but they do not build on one another with enough force, and the emotional cues feel imposed rather than discovered. By the final stretch, the film is asking for a response it has not prepared.

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They/Them has a workable premise and a committed cast, yet the finished film never turns those elements into a persuasive whole. Only the most patient horror viewers who value mood, tension and committed performances over nonstop jump scares are likely to find it rewarding.