Men: Review

A man that cannot take a hint, who becomes more and more aggressive and desperate as they are refused is one of the scariest things a woman will encounter. It is one of the central themes in writer and director Alex Garland’s newest movie Men. It is a powerful movie that is often uncomfortable at times.

Harper is recently widowed and looking to find peace and quiet in a holiday house in the English countryside where she plans to spend time hiking and coping with her husband’s recent death. She soon finds herself being stalked by a naked man that had followed her home from the woods. It begins as a peaceful trip to the beautiful countryside that slowly transforms into a nightmare for Harper. She encounters multiple men throughout her journey each one played by the amazingly talented Rory Kinnear, and each one brings a different kind of discomfort and threat to her well-being. Slowly each one breaks her down mentally and physically leading to a final confrontation with each of the men at the holiday house. Her place of solitude and safety where she intended to heal becomes under attack and she must face what she is running from.

Men is visually stunning; the backdrop of the English countryside filled with green trees feels both beautiful and isolated. One of the standout scenes takes place in a tunnel where Harper harmonizes with her own echoes in the tunnel is a bit playful yet uneasy and haunting. It gives you the illusion that Harper is truly alone until that fun playful moment is disrupted by something potentially sinister. Harper’s backstory and reason for being in the cabin and is told in flashbacks. She is haunted by her final moments with her husband before his demise and whether it was intentional or accidental. The finale is an excellent display of body horror that will make even a seasoned gore hound squirm. What I loved so much about this film is that it has a multitude of interpretations and it something the viewer can personalize to their own experiences. Harper’s experience is her own but unfortunately is also something most women will encounter. This movie is not for everyone, it is a bit slower in pace and is more of a horror drama than straight horror. I liked it a lot but for some people it will be an uncomfortable movie to watch, it does have some very triggering scenes.