“Men” Review

While relaxing in the country, Harper (Jessie Buckley) finds herself tormented by strange people in “Men.”

There are few films quite like “Men.” Some films are objectively good but I just can’t seem to get into them. I had a similar experience last year with “Zola” and now this year with “Men.” Despite not quite connecting with me, this is a fascinating film that I haven’t been able to get out of my head.

After her husband’s suicide, a young woman named Harper (Jessie Buckley) goes to stay in a small village to clear her mind. However, Harper finds herself being stalked, harassed or hunted by different men who seem to have the same face (Rory Kinnear). As the days go on, Harper begins to question whether all of the insane things she’s seeing are even really there.

Upon seeing the trailer for the film, I knew that this film was going to heavily rely on atmosphere and the performances of its leads. Jessie Buckley’s tormented performance is incredible, especially as she begins to see strange things that cause her to question her sanity. Harper is a very compelling character because she’s not only dealing with the suicide of her husband, but also dealing with the fact that he was emotionally abusive. 

Adding to her torment are all the different performances by Rory Kinnear. Some of the men Kinnear plays are straight-up scary while others are ineffectual. His main role as the owner of the home Harper is staying in is especially interesting because he seems nice but there’s an underlying sense of discomfort. His many characters show both Kinnear’s range as an actor as well as Harper’s deepest fears.

Writer/Director Alex Garland, who previously wrote and directed “Ex Machina” and “Annihilation,” really knows how to structure intense, scary sequences. One scene involving a chase through the woods had me on the edge of my seat. Alongside Cinematographer Rob Hardy, they create a film that can be both beautiful and frightening. The use of color, particularly red, is amazing and impossible to forget. 

“Men” is less entertaining and more a film to watch, think about and be moved by. I think what the film is saying about the trauma of abusive relationships is compelling and there is an unsettling nature throughout.

However, I think that the symbolism seemed to overshadow the story. I began thinking about films that are heavy on symbolism while displaying frightening concepts and it came down to Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey” and “The Shining.” Both of these films are heavy on symbolism but there is still a compelling story throughout. 

I felt that there wasn’t as strong of a balance throughout “Men.” I was really invested in Harper but the final 15 minutes are full of insane imagery that could disorient some viewers which is alright by me. I just personally lost my interest within the last act. 

I recommend watching this film if you love the arthouse cinema of A24 as well as more symbolic horror. I can’t promise that “Men” is going to make sense but it will stay in your mind which is refreshing when so many films just float in and out.