Marlon Wayans is known for turning life’s awkward moments into comedy gold — and this time, not even an anime blockbuster could escape his humor.
The Him star recently shared his unfiltered reaction to Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle claiming the top spot at the box office. During his appearance on the “ShxtsnGigs” podcast, Wayans joked about his film landing in second place, and as always, his delivery was equal parts blunt and hilarious.
“Can I say it? F*** anime! We came at number two! ‘Him’ first! F*** anime!” Wayans shouted with mock frustration. “I was up against it. ‘Him’ came out that same week against whatever it was… ‘Demon Slayer!’ I want to wax your beard off your face!”
While the line had audiences laughing, the comedian’s comments were all in good fun — a mix of tongue-in-cheek competitiveness and self-awareness that’s become part of Wayans’ signature style.
Wayans Responds to Mixed Reviews with Grace — and Receipts
Wayans’ latest film, Him, has sparked mixed reactions among critics, earning a 29% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. But the 52-year-old actor isn’t letting that slow him down.
In a reflective Instagram post, Wayans shared screenshots of his earlier comedies — including White Chicks, Scary Movie 2, and A Haunted House — all of which were initially panned before achieving cult classic status.
“Just to be clear… I respect critics. Their job is to critique. I respect their work. It shapes our industry,” Wayans wrote.
“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.”
He reminded fans that time often proves the critics wrong:
“I’ve had a career of making classic movies that weren’t critically received, and those movies went on to be CLASSICS,” he added. “So don’t take anyone’s opinion — just go see for yourself. Love to all. ‘Him’ in theaters now.”
From Comedy Legend to Creative Risk-Taker
Wayans’ body of work — from his early In Living Color sketches to modern-day projects — shows a pattern of pushing boundaries and redefining genre comedy. With Him, he explores darker themes, mixing horror and satire in a way few mainstream films attempt.
Critics may not have embraced the project yet, but audiences are showing growing curiosity. Early box office numbers put Him just behind Demon Slayer, proving Wayans still has major pulling power.
And if history is any indication, Him may just follow the same trajectory as his other “underrated” hits. After all, few can make losing at the box office sound like a punchline better than Marlon Wayans himself.
