Men

In the film Men, Harper (Jessie Buckley) is a complex and deeply troubled character, whose life has been irreparably altered by a devastating personal loss. We witness this loss through a series of fragmented flashbacks, piecing together the narrative of Harper's life before she retreats to the picturesque English countryside, searching for solace and a sense of peace. As a young woman who has experienced immense pain, Harper embodies a raw, emotional vulnerability, forcing her surroundings to become an extension of her turbulent inner world. The serene beauty of the rolling hills, lush forests, and quaint villages serves as a counterpoint to Harper's inner turmoil, making the atmosphere feel almost like a character in its own right. Upon her arrival, Harper meets Ben (Harvey Scrimshaw), a quiet and introspective teenager, who becomes her primary neighbor. Initially, their interactions are tentative and guarded, as Harper struggles to reconcile her inner world with the gentle tranquility of the countryside. Through Ben, we catch glimpses of Harper's past, her relationships, and the events that led her to this isolated place. However, Harper soon becomes increasingly uneasy as she senses an unsettling presence lurking just beyond the fringes of her perception. At first, this feeling is dismissed as paranoia or grief-induced anxiety; however, as the tension escalates, it becomes apparent that there are, in fact, malevolent forces at work, manifesting in the figure of a rural, backwoods-dwelling community. As tensions rise, the film expertly explores the dynamics of rural English communities, their codes of silence, and the often-blurred lines between friend and foe. Harper finds herself navigating this labyrinthine world, where everyone seems to be hiding secrets or harboring their own demons. This atmosphere becomes increasingly oppressive, forcing Harper to confront the darker aspects of human nature and her own psyche. Throughout the film, Buckley's phenomenal performance brings Harper's struggles to the forefront, making her a multifaceted and relatable protagonist. Harper's character embodies a fierce determination to cope with her past, even if it means confronting the deepest fears that haunt her. This drive propels the narrative forward, creating a sense of unease and tension that propels the story toward its climax. The film's use of cinematography is nothing short of masterful, capturing the ever-changing moods and textures of the English countryside. Director Alex Garland employs an unsettling, almost oppressive atmosphere to great effect, emphasizing Harper's growing unease and despair. This visual style serves as a counterpoint to the eerie, folk-horror elements woven throughout the narrative, imbuing the film with an air of foreboding that propels the story toward its haunting conclusion. The Men, the figures that appear in the woods, inhabit a liminal space between reality and the realm of Harper's darkest memories and fears. These 'men' are both an expression of Harper's subliminal psyche and a product of the twisted dynamics between the rural community and outsiders like Harper herself. Ultimately, Men becomes a film about the destructive forces that shape us, the way our trauma and pain can warp our perceptions of the world around us, and the often-dubious notion of finding solace or refuge in isolated environments. Harper's journey is ultimately a poignant exploration of the human capacity for resilience and hope, even in the darkest of times.