The Decline of Men Unraveled

Article Key Points

Alex Garland's film "Men" is a divisive horror thriller with a shocking ending, pushing the boundaries both narratively and visually.

"Men" is an invigorating and impactful film that delves into the themes of toxic masculinity and sexism. Through the use of body horror and explicit symbolism, it effectively conveys its message, leaving a lasting impression on viewers. The film's thought-provoking nature and unresolved questions encourage lively discussions about its profound significance.

Alex Garland is renowned for his intricate science-fiction and psychological thrillers. While movies like Ex Machina and Annihilation garnered mostly positive feedback, his 2022 horror thriller, Men, proved to be quite polarizing. This can mainly be attributed to its jaw-dropping ending. Garland, known for stirring audience reactions, takes it a step further in Men, both in terms of storytelling and visuals, creating an unforgettable experience. The film's grim and symbolic conclusion leaves numerous unanswered questions, allowing for individual interpretation.

After the triumph of his directorial debut, Ex Machina, which was distributed by A24, Garland reunites with the company for his third film. This time, he ventures into the realm of toxic masculinity and sexism, exploring how these ideologies are perpetuated across generations. Through the use of body horror and unapologetic explicitness, Garland fearlessly delves into the depths of the story, enticing fans of the genre with an unexpected twist brimming with profound significance.

What Is Men About?

Men follows the journey of Harper Marlowe (Jessie Buckley), a woman who ventures to the British countryside following the passing of her husband, James, who she harbors unpleasant memories of. Through flashbacks, it is unveiled that Harper intended to divorce James due to his emotional abuse and manipulative behavior, even resorting to threats of self-harm if she were to leave him. In a tragic turn of events, Harper witnesses James plunging to his demise from a balcony, presumably in a suicidal act. However, she finds herself unable to escape the haunting memories and overwhelming guilt. What was supposed to be a tranquil retreat for healing quickly transforms into a harrowing nightmare for Harper, as she finds herself encountering progressively bizarre, ominous, and terrifying men.

During the film's first act, Harper ventures into the woods and stumbles upon a tunnel. Despite her attempt to reach the light at the end, a man obstructs her path, forcing her to seek an alternate route. Faced with the challenge, she decides to climb a wall in order to evade him. Symbolically, this scene reflects Harper's struggle to move on from her husband's death and her need to find a new approach to cope. Disturbingly, Harper later notices a naked man observing her from a distance, and encounters him outside her home. As the man tries to gain entry, Harper calls the police, resulting in his arrest.

It is important to acknowledge that, similar to movies like "Anomalisa," every male character in Men, excluding Harper's husband, is portrayed by Rory Kinnear. Whether they are children, priests, or police officers, these characters embody the same toxic masculinity ideals that have been ingrained in them since birth. To Harper, they all pose an equal threat. Even Geoffrey, the initially seemingly eccentric but well-intentioned owner of the house Harper rents, is ultimately revealed to be as aggressive and dangerous as the other male characters. Alexander Garland elaborates on this concept in an interview with the Los Angeles Times.

Is Harper's perception of all men being the same incorrect? Or is she simply unaware that they are indeed all the same? These interpretations differ greatly, and the film does not provide a definitive answer to this question. One could view this movie as a ghost story: a young woman grieving the loss of her husband, goes to the countryside and becomes haunted by either the memories or the manifestation of her late husband's sadness and anger. The movie should be able to function solely as a ghost story if that is what viewers desire.

Aside from being a horror film, "Men" is a compelling female-led movie that explores toxic masculinity. The events depicted in the movie should not be taken literally; rather, they should be seen as a collection of metaphors and symbols, some more obvious than others. The movie consistently blurs the line between reality and fantasy.

How Does Men End?

In the third act of the film, all the men Harper encountered begin to terrorize her outside of the house, with the intention to attack. As she tries to escape, she accidentally hits and injures Geoffrey, who aggressively pulls her out of the car and starts chasing her. Desperately attempting to return to the house, the film takes a dark and shocking turn, featuring horrifying body transformations. During the climax, a disturbing chain of births unfolds, with each man giving birth to another, leaving Harper in silence and disbelief. The naked man gives birth to a young boy, who then gives birth to a priest, followed by Geoffrey and James. Eventually, Harper, no longer afraid, has a brief conversation with James, who confesses that all he ever wanted was love. The film concludes on a dark and melancholic note the next morning when Harper's pregnant friend arrives at the chaotic scene and finds Harper smiling at her, without saying a word.

James, despite his distinct appearance, is revealed to be connected to all the other men during his birth scene. His treatment of Harper in the final moments further confirms his infantile and manipulative behavior, as witnessed in flashbacks but now portrayed as a newly born baby. It can be argued that although the film revolves around a female protagonist, "Men" primarily focuses on the actions and sins of the male characters. The narrative primarily centers around Harper's abusive marriage and her fear of the men. While she does defend herself and resist their attacks, the story quickly transitions into the climactic birth-chain scene, providing little insight into Harper's personality and character development.

The movie is filled with symbolism and metaphors, and the final scene confirms that the events in the third act were real. Harper's friend witnessing the aftermath explicitly shows that her body horror nightmare was not just a figment of her imagination. Instead of dictating how to interpret the film, Garland aims to stimulate a discussion about the prominent ongoing issue. In an interview with the LA Times, he stated, "I try to avoid getting caught up in polarized hysteria. It can silence others out of fear, and I don't want to contribute to that. We need to approach sensitive subjects thoughtfully and with care, but that shouldn't stop us from making a powerful statement."

In the end, Men makes a bold statement about toxic masculinity and it certainly fulfilled Garland’s goal of leaving the audience thinking and sparking debates.

Editor's P/S

The film "Men" by Alex Garland is a thought-provoking and unsettling exploration of toxic masculinity and its far-reaching consequences. Through its use of body horror and explicit symbolism, the film effectively conveys the pervasive nature of sexism and the challenges faced by women in a patriarchal society.

The film's ending is particularly striking, leaving viewers with a sense of unease and uncertainty. The fact that Harper is unable to escape the cycle of abuse, even in the remote countryside, speaks to the deeply ingrained nature of toxic masculinity. The film's message is clear: true change requires a systemic dismantling of patriarchal structures and a reimagining of gender roles.