Alex Garland tries his hand at horror with his third film, Men, deviating from his first two science fiction films while keeping the elements that make a Garland film a Garland film. Harper (Jessie Buckley) decides to book a quiet and peaceful retreat for herself in the English countryside. After getting acquainted with the house by the owner, she begins to explore the countryside and finds herself in a nightmare she didn’t anticipate.
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Men is a polarizing movie, general audiences seeming to want nothing to do with it, says the people in my theater who walked out saying it was “the worst movie they have ever seen.” However, Men is my favorite Garland film so far, and he never fails to take risks in his storytelling and the execution of his themes. His cinematic flair is on full display, even if this is one of his more straightforward films compared to his previous outings, Annihilation.
What I love about Garland’s work is he always keeps his audience on their toes allegorically and through his storytelling. The horrifying atmosphere, visuals, and direction of Men all coincide with the terrors of living as a woman in a man’s world. Alex Garland continues to choose strong female protagonists to put at the forefront of his films, and with a title like Men, the audience can get a decent understanding of the type of monster Harper is facing.
Biblical allegories pose a strong argument as to the reason women are treated the way they are by men, not only now but since the beginning of time. Although some of the biblical references are more obvious, the movie’s ability to perpetuate this commentary on the shortcomings of religion and how some use it to validate their ideas and actions make Men one of my favorite films this year. If you’re looking for a straightforward horror-drama, this may not be the best choice. It is not as challenging as Garland’s previous film, but certainly packs a punch.
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