Although it definitely has a slower start, Men unleashes terror in a way few films ever dare to try- and thankfully- succeeds at it. I am honestly surprised by all the negative reviews surrounding this film, as it is honestly one of the most unique, heartbreaking, disgusting, and terrifying films of the year. A lot of other reviewers comment on writer and director Garland's overly-direct symbolism and its attempts of complying to women as an excuse to say it knows what it is doing. But I never felt any of that watching this film, not really. Sure, men in the film can be portrayed in a way that is perceived as a harmful threat to women but I never felt it was trying to poke at being sympathetic nor the opposite. Nor was it trying to say look how terrible men are because i'm a man and I understand women. Instead, it feels far more human. Instead to me, it feels much more like an inner battle between our lead character, played brilliantly by Jessie Buckley, and her own inner demons personified by the entity played by Rory Kinnear. Both do a fantastic job, and it feels messy in just the best way possible. Never mixing up themes, but rather conveying thoughts, worries, and fears in a way that feels not only relatable but traumatizing. Like we are deeply inside of someones head. The special effects are phenomenal, and the cinematography is absolutely gorgeous. Definitely one of the best looking films i've seen all year. Its score is haunting and mesorizing, and every moment of the film as it carries on feels like its sucking you deeper in a whole of its own self loathing. Its pacing can be a bit slow in the beginning, and it may take some time to pick up some traction- but once it gets rolling it never stops- and it's honestly one of the creepiest films i've seen in a while- an atmosphere and vision that is just perfectly crafted by Garland. In the end, Men never felt too abrasive nor obvious to me. Instead it develops its themes in a way that is obviously terrifying and escalates on the anxieties and fears of another to build upon the growing trauma in our characters mind. I can understand why it may not be for everyone, but with someone who has had to overcome and still deals with trauma from past abuse- i can't imagine a better way to capture a story like this.
My Rating: 9.4/10.
My Rating: 9.4/10.