"Men," directed by Alex Garland, follows a woman who retreats to the English countryside after a personal tragedy. Seeking solace, she rents a secluded house in a picturesque village. However, her attempt at healing is disrupted by a series of increasingly unsettling encounters with the local men, each of whom exhibits strange and disturbing behavior. As her sense of reality begins to unravel, she is forced to confront her deepest fears and the haunting memories of her past. The film blends psychological horror with elements of folk horror, exploring themes of grief, guilt, and the pervasive nature of trauma.
Characters
Jessie Buckley plays Harper, a grieving widow seeking solace in the countryside, where she encounters disturbing and surreal events that force her to confront her trauma.
Rory Kinnear plays Geoffrey, the unsettling landlord who embodies various male figures, amplifying the protagonist's psychological horror and trauma.
Paapa Essiedu plays James, Harper's deceased husband, whose tragic death haunts her and drives the psychological tension throughout the story.
Ending Explained
In the movie "Men," directed by Alex Garland, the ending culminates in a surreal and horrifying sequence. The protagonist, Harper, confronts the various male figures who have tormented her throughout the film, all of whom are manifestations of the same entity. This entity undergoes a series of grotesque transformations, symbolizing the cyclical and pervasive nature of toxic masculinity and trauma. Each transformation is more disturbing than the last, ultimately leading to the final form of her deceased husband, James.
James, who had died by suicide after Harper decided to leave him, appears in a vulnerable state, seeking reconciliation and understanding. Harper, however, remains resolute and refuses to succumb to his manipulative pleas. The film concludes with Harper's friend arriving at the rural house, finding Harper sitting calmly in the garden, suggesting a sense of closure and empowerment. The ending signifies Harper's journey through grief and trauma, ultimately finding strength and liberation from the oppressive forces that haunted her. The surreal and symbolic nature of the climax underscores the film's exploration of gender dynamics and personal healing.
