One of the first things you notice in MEN is its striking visual beauty. The British countryside looks like something out of a Turner painting. Mossy stone walls, wet trees, and misty grasslands are more than just scenery; they reflect Harper’s inner world.
The echo scene in the tunnel stands out. When Harper shouts, the echoes layer over each other, forming a strange, unsettling sound. This moment shows how her inner pain rebounds from the larger, male-dominated world. Garland is exceptionally skilled at letting unease slowly creep into beautiful settings.
The Unnerving Discomfort Born from Rory Kinnear’s Uncanny Performance
One of the film’s boldest choices is having Rory Kinnear play every man in the village. It isn’t just a quirky decision. As the caretaker, he seems friendly at first. But his joke about the apple being “forbidden fruit” hints at a hidden need for control.
As the priest, he pretends to listen to Harper but ends up making her feel guilty. As the policeman, he ignores her concerns. The boy uses crude language to threaten her. Kinnear changes his performance for each role, but always shows an underlying sense of masculine aggression.
It’s important to note that all these men pretend to be helpful or protective. But beneath the surface, they want to control Harper. This double-sided behavior is at the heart of the film’s horror.
Quiet Resistance and Ultimate Body Horror
Jessie Buckley’s lead performance is outstanding. Unlike many horror heroines who scream and run, Harper rarely raises her voice. She shows fear, anger, and finally resignation through her face and movements.
The flashbacks with her husband are compelling. When he says, “I’ll kill myself if we divorce,” she replies, looking completely worn out, “Do whatever you want.” This moment shows, in a very real way, the exhaustion of someone who has suffered emotional abuse.
This quiet resistance builds up to the film’s climax, the “male birth” scene. Watching naked men give birth to themselves, one after another, is a shocking and unforgettable image. The scene is both grotesque and strangely beautiful. It’s not just for shock; it’s a brilliant metaphor for how a male-dominated society keeps repeating itself. Harper’s look of fear and resignation as she watches says everything about what she’s witnessing.
A multi-layered modern allegory woven with mythical symbols
MEN is full of meaningful symbols. The church features stone statues of the Green Man and Sheela Na Gig (a female figure exposing her genitals), both real pre-Christian pagan symbols found in English churches. The Green Man stands for nature’s renewal, while Sheela Na Gig represents fertility and protection. Their contrast highlights the fundamental conflict between masculinity and femininity.
These mythological elements open up many avenues for interpreting the film. Are all the men’s faces a sign of Harper’s psychological state, or is something supernatural happening? The film leaves this question open. Some see it as showing the inner world of a woman with PTSD. Others view it as a social horror story about the violence of a patriarchal society.
With the #MeToo movement and ongoing gender debates, MEN feels very timely. Garland uses old symbols in a modern way to show that male dominance is a long-standing problem in society. This mix of meanings and relevance lifts MEN above a typical horror film and makes it an actual work of art.
Summary: Profound Questions Beyond the Terror
MEN is an ambitious film that uses horror to get at some of society’s deepest problems. Even though it’s rated R15, its strong visuals aren’t just for shock—they help drive the film’s message.
This film isn’t for everyone. If you don’t like unclear endings or disturbing images, it might not be for you. But if you see movies as art and want something different, MEN is a must-see.
With MEN, Alex Garland stretches the horror genre to its limits. The film shows that horror can do more than scare us—it can make us think and reflect on the darker sides of society.
