Focal Point Reviews turn the spotlight onto various films, to show the reader the foundational aspects of the motion picture, and how those various building blocks form its identity.
Logline
Men is a folk horror film, written and directed by Oscar-nominated auteur, Alex Garland (Ex Machina, Annihilation.) The film follows a woman, played by Jessie Buckley, who takes a much-needed vacation in a countryside cottage after a traumatic event. Her seemingly peaceful stay quickly becomes a living nightmare as she is haunted by what she fears the most. Garland is no stranger to tackling heavy themes within the horror genre and Men is no exception. As with his previous work, a clear vision and excellent writing make this film stand out from the other releases this year.
Narrative
The screenplay of Men is undoubtedly Garland’s most ambitious. Rather than holding the viewer’s hand, he leaves nearly everything up for interpretation. This film is a prime example of showing, rather than telling a story. It requires much effort to understand and answer the questions being presented. For example, every man that our protagonist encounters represent a different form of toxic masculinity. Some are obvious like the narcissistic priest or the misogynistic boy, while others are far more subtle. As the film progresses, these men appear to have the same exact face. The protagonist begins to question her sanity. Is she just imagining things, or is this really happening? It’s questions like these that keep the audience on their toes. There are twists and turns around every corner and Garland leaves it up to us to decide what is reality. For better or for worse, this aspiration is appreciated nonetheless.
Direction
Having a clear creative vision is one of the most important aspects of being a director. Without that kind of focus, a project can easily fall apart. Men is seeping with exceptional direction in every scene. Garland’s usual visual style and gorgeous cinematography is present. There are wonderful performances from the entire cast, especially from our leads Jessie Buckley and Rory Kinnear. The set designs are intricate and every decoration feels perfectly placed with precise intent. This is the work of a masterful director.
Wrapping Up
As with most A24 horror films, Men is going to be incredibly divisive. The grotesque imagery will be a turn off for some. It also has an ambiguous and heavy-handed ending that’s difficult to understand. But that’s exactly what Garland intended to accomplish. He wanted to spark conversation about his film, even if it meant that moviegoers would criticize it and he accomplished just that. This is the true beauty of the cinematic experience. While it may not be his best film yet, Men is a must-see for horror and arthouse fans.
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