A Sinister Retreat in the English Countryside: Men 2022 Movie Review
When a movie helmed by the brilliant Alex Garland rolls out, curiosity and expectation naturally follow. With 'Men' (2022), Garland dips our toes into an unsettling sea, creating a potion of drama, fantasy, horror, and thriller elements. Let’s dive into this riveting mix and explore whether it holds the magic or if it’s just an unpalatable concoction.
Post-Loss Solitude or Just a Wicked Illusion?
'Men' manifests as a quiet yet chilling tale. Jessie Buckley stars as Harper, a woman who seeks solace in the serene English countryside after her ex-husband's tragic death. She’s on a mission to heal, but what unfolds resembles less of a healing journey and more of a twisted plunge into psychological stupor. The narrative interestingly oscillates between beauty and malignancy—don't we all wish we could lose ourselves in such lovely fields, minus the lurking nightmares? But Garland's script cleverly toys with the concept of mourning intertwined with a fractal of sinister encounters, cultivating a claustrophobic tension that slowly creeps under your skin. It feels like watching a somber lullaby that steadily crescendos into a feverish nightmare. Much like Lewis Carroll on a particularly gothic bender.
Performance Royalty or Daylight Robbery?
Now, let's touch upon the cast performance: Jessie Buckley, ever the chameleon, blends vulnerability with resolve, making Harper a compelling focus. Her portrayal intensifies the film's emotional gamut. Meanwhile, Rory Kinnear goes above and beyond, offering an unsettling hedge of personas that cast long shadows—Kinnear perhaps could moonlight as a shapeshifting ecosphere if he pleased! His roles test the tether of reality, helping elevate the film's bizarre yet thematic core. Paapa Essiedu and Gayle Rankin spruce up the canvas with nuanced side character beats, keeping the ensemble tightly knit yet oddly haunting.
Exploring the Garland Galaxy
Interestingly, if one peers into the Garland kaleidoscope, 'Men' bears echoes of his earlier fabric, albeit through a more accentuated kaleidoscope. Both 'Ex Machina' and 'Annihilation' lurk in the backdrop, offering pinches of psychological reflection mashed with existential dread. Yet, unlike his previous works, 'Men' toys with a less clear-cut objective, pushing boundaries through its knotty storytelling. The screenplay can sometimes feel like a cryptic quirk—maybe that's intentional? Picture a bombastic collage of Dali-esque surrealism tangled with Shakespearean tragedy. The cinematography carries this bizarre beauty, painting landscapes with silver goth tone—a visual whisper of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' taking a wrong turn, perhaps.
Enigmatic Journey or Labyrinthine Enigma?
As we wrap, contemplating where 'Men' fits in cinema’s landscape is a puzzler. Is it odd? Absolutely. A departure from Garland’s familiar tracks? Indeed. Garnering either admiration or skepticism, it compels a curious nudge—one you can't effortlessly shake off. If you're a seeker of 'best horror movies' or new twists on psychological thrillers, don’t skip this enigmatic granule in Garland's filmography. Though it won’t be everyone's cup of tea, the visceral feedback 'Men' taunts viewers with, remains its own kind of reward. So, judgment be damned—let your senses be overwhelmed 'cause curiosity often leads to the greatest tales.