Men

While Men is flawed and ultimately a little unsatisfying, there’s no denying that it is a singular, bold and stimulating film that challenges you in every way – that’s what Alex Garland does best.

Garland is an assured storyteller... That track record makes it possible to believe for much of Men that he knows what he’s doing -- even if thematically the film feels like an over-familiar mash-up of a couple of current trends.

The good news is that this film, written and directed by English novelist and filmmaker Alex Garland, is something utterly weird and completely different.

Spare yourself the trouble and tell the film-makers you’re busy.

There’s some resemblance to Get Out in that there’s a social message wrapped in the narrative. I don’t think this movie (achieves) that quite as well as that movie, but it’s unsettling and well-acted.

A playfully twisted affair – not quite as profound as it seems to think, perhaps, but boasting enough squishy metaphorical slime to ensure that its musings upon textbook male characteristics are rarely dull, and sometimes deliciously disgusting.

Men is a rape/revenge film which spends most of its run time trying to distance itself from rape/revenge films.

immersive, disturbing, eerie, & incredibly off putting film that will disturb you all the way up till it’s jaw dropping finale. It’s vividly layered from its writing to its direction. I’m shocked

It is, very decidedly, a mixed bag, with genius rubbing shoulders with stupidity&#59; profundity with banality&#59; subtlety with obviousness&#59; emotional rawness with silliness.

Men may have some issues, but it’s never a slog; it does have some missteps while reaching its outrageous grand finale. But, for me, it’s a step up from Annihilation.