About Men
Alex Garland's 2022 folk horror film 'Men' is a visually stunning and deeply unsettling exploration of grief, trauma, and toxic masculinity. The story follows Harper (a phenomenal Jessie Buckley), who retreats to a secluded English country house to process the recent death of her husband. What begins as a peaceful escape rapidly descends into a surreal and terrifying psychological ordeal, as every man she encounters in the village—all played with chilling versatility by Rory Kinnear—seems to reflect a different facet of patriarchal menace.
Garland's direction is masterful, building dread through eerie pastoral imagery, unsettling sound design, and a narrative that blurs the lines between reality and Harper's traumatized psyche. The film is less a conventional horror story and more a potent, symbolic nightmare, using its folk-horror framework to dissect the pervasive and often violent legacy of misogyny. The final act is a bravura sequence of body horror and cosmic terror that will sear itself into your memory.
Viewers should watch 'Men' for its audacious filmmaking, powerhouse performances, and its willingness to engage with complex themes in a visceral, unforgettable way. It's a challenging, thought-provoking film that demands discussion long after the credits roll, solidifying Garland's reputation as a premier voice in intelligent, atmospheric horror.
Garland's direction is masterful, building dread through eerie pastoral imagery, unsettling sound design, and a narrative that blurs the lines between reality and Harper's traumatized psyche. The film is less a conventional horror story and more a potent, symbolic nightmare, using its folk-horror framework to dissect the pervasive and often violent legacy of misogyny. The final act is a bravura sequence of body horror and cosmic terror that will sear itself into your memory.
Viewers should watch 'Men' for its audacious filmmaking, powerhouse performances, and its willingness to engage with complex themes in a visceral, unforgettable way. It's a challenging, thought-provoking film that demands discussion long after the credits roll, solidifying Garland's reputation as a premier voice in intelligent, atmospheric horror.
















