“Men” (2022) is a British folk horror film written and directed by Alex Garland. The film stars Jessie Buckley as Harper, a young woman who, after the suicide of her husband James (Paapa Essiedu), goes on a solo vacation to the English countryside to process her grief and find some solace.
During her stay in a picturesque village, Harper encounters a series of men, all played by Rory Kinnear, who exhibit increasingly strange and threatening behavior. The men include Geoffrey, a seemingly polite but odd owner of the holiday home she’s renting; a naked man stalking her through the fields; a young boy who is aggressive towards her; a vicar who blames her for her husband’s death; and a policeman who dismisses her concerns.
As Harper’s encounters with these men become more disturbing, the film explores themes of trauma, grief, and the male gaze, as well as the societal pressures and judgments placed upon women. The tension escalates to a surreal and terrifying climax, where Harper is confronted by a manifestation of her trauma in the form of a grotesque being birthed by one of the men. This creature pursues Harper in a harrowing chase, leading her back to the rental home.
The film concludes with a deeply allegorical and visually shocking sequence. Harper, after a violent confrontation, manages to escape the creature. In the final moments, she is seen seemingly at peace, standing in the beautiful countryside as the camera pans away, leaving the interpretation of the ending open to the audience. The film’s conclusion can be seen as a representation of Harper facing her inner demons and the external manifestations of her trauma, suggesting a form of catharsis or rebirth.
“Men” has been noted for its atmospheric tension, strong performances, particularly by Buckley and Kinnear, and its thought-provoking, albeit ambiguous, narrative. The film received a mix of critical acclaim and audience polarization, with some praising its artistry and depth while others found it perplexing or unsettling (IMDb; Wikipedia).