Film Review: "Men" (2022).

"What haunts you will find you" in Men. This folk horror film written and directed by Alex Garland. In the aftermath of a personal tragedy, Harper retreats alone to the beautiful English countryside, hoping to have found a place to heal. But someone or something from the surrounding woods appears to be stalking her. What begins as simmering dread becomes a fully-formed nightmare, inhabited by her darkest memories and fears

In early January 2021 it was announced that Garland would write and direct a film for A24, with Jessie Buckley and Rory Kinnear attached to star. By late March 2021, principal photography commenced and wrapped in late May. Filming took place throughout London and Gloucestershire, England.

The film stars Jessie Buckley and Rory Kinnear. The cast is exceptional, portraying relatable, sympathetic souls marching through emotionally and psychological terrors.

The film balances being cerebral drama with effective horror, compelling characters, and terror-inducing visuals that will brand themselves into your brain. The film proves writer/director Alex Garland's exhilarating filmmaking style is a breath of fresh air to the horror genre and Hollywood altogether. Just horror at its best. It's got great performances, great color, good music, and more than a few mind-blowing reveals. There are moments where its reach outdoes its grasp but I'll take that any day over a mediocre Blumhouse movie that just gobbles up everything like a maelstrom of mindless metal shards. I truly enjoyed every single moment of this film once you understand what the story's about and the deeper meaning behind Jessie Buckley's character. the story is just a beautiful package, beautifully sold. With ultimate faith toward his audience, Garland asks the questions and empowers the audience to discover the answers. Garland's third directorial effort, is every bit as astounding as his freshman one, Ex Machina. The film is an intelligent and frightening cinematic experience. It's also bound to be polarizing in that way that only smart horror can. The film shares the ambiguous dream logic found in David Lynch's best work, but mixes it with the type of horrific imagery seen in The Shining. The film is a smart and intelligent movie. It's super ambitious and maybe a bit tedious. The movie requires patience and at times gets a bit too showy. Even as it relies on horror tropes for shape the film's mission is to plumb the depths of Freudian fear. A metaphoric mind-bender that will find favor with select moviegoers while absolutely alienating everyone else. This film is ambitious, messy, moving, horrifying, and often times incomprehensible. Each layer is slowly revealed until it gets to the glowing center and there is nothing you can do but shield your eyes from the light of its revelations. Garland creates an atmosphere which feels deliberately distorted and diaphanous, as if we are viewing the world through a soap bubble. Generally speaking, Garland manages his genre/arthouse balancing act smoothly without undervaluing either aesthetic. I admire its sophistication and ability to tell such a human story with so much intelligence, taking on issues of the Anthropocene with a dexterous and effulgent vision.

Simon says Men receives:

Also, see my review for Devs.