MEN, UK, 2022. Starring Jessie Buckley, Rory Kinnear, Paapa Essiedu, Gayle Rankin. Directed by Alex Garland. 100 minutes. Rated MA (Strong horror themes, blood and gore, violence and nudity).
Writer-director Garland (Ex Machina, Annihilation) would probably not be surprised or upset to read such words as ‘enigmatic’ or ‘weird’ in connection with this film. It would seem he intended it to be enigmatic and weird.
The enigmatic is in the theme. The weird is in the treatment. And there is always the question as to why he entitled the film Men, making us look closely at the male characters and their attitudes and behaviour, although the central character Harper is a woman.
Nor would the writer-director be surprised when reviewers express caution as to how audiences might respond, how audiences might be too puzzled, confused, and not want to continue. Or, walk out. It is that kind of film.
It begins conventionally enough, focusing on Harper – Jessie Buckley who has made such an impression in recent years with Wild Rose, Judy, The Lost Daughter and the American television series, Fargo). At her window, she sees a man falling to his death. We then learn that it is her husband from whom she is being divorced. This episode pervades the film and her memories and conscience.
Wanting to break free, Harper rents a 500-year-old house in the Gloucestershire countryside, delighted with the house, the countryside, and phoning her friend, Riley, constantly. What could go wrong?
Well, almost everything. And the narrative moves into some of the conventions of terror and horror.
And the men? Except for the husband, James (Essideu) and a strange young man in the village, all the male characters are played by Kinnear. This is certainly a virtuoso screen presence. He plays the landlord of the mansion, the touch of the dithery. He is the local policeman, as well as the man behind the bar at the local pub and several of those sitting drinking.
When Harper goes into the church, her flashbacks tormenting her and she screams, Spall appears as the local vicar, offering some sympathy but turning the situation back on herself, making her blame herself. He also appears as a naked man who seems to be stalking Harper, who appears frequently, but increasingly tormented, metal spikes emerging from his skin, and then a visual horror climax which has to be seen to be believed. Perhaps it does not have to be seen, and might be too much for some audiences. Weird is the appropriate word.
So, a review which indicates the enigmatic and weird of the film, the core of the plot and issues, and, hopefully, a sensible caution about the style of the horror touches.
Roadshow
Released 16 June 2022