The filmmaker’s latest tackles toxic masculinity in a more direct way than he ever has.
According toAlex Garlandhimself, there are two types of Alex Garland films.
“In my mind, a film likeMenis connected to a film likeAnnihilation,” Garland tells EW exclusively.
Jessie Buckley surrounded by exterior greens in ‘Men.'.Kevin Baker/A24
“They’re very much about how you’refeelingabout something.Menis a gut-level film.
Men’s official cast list is only four names long.
It’s easy to denote these different points in space and time thanks toMen’s powerful use of color.
Rory Kinnear in ‘Men’ — seem familiar?.A24
The inside of her rented house, meanwhile, is ominously red.
“It’s like giving the viewer a nudge, somehow,” Garland says.
Menis forthright with its thematic concerns, starting with that title.
Jessie Buckley amidst interior reds in ‘Men.'.Kevin Baker/A24
“It comes up a lot, in different ways,” Garland admits.
Maybe it’s just that withMen, instead of running underneath, it sits there on the surface.”
Symbols abound: What is the meaning of the Green Man who recurs throughout the film?
Rory Kinnear in ‘Men.'.Kevin Baker/A24
Why do so many of the non-Harper characters share the same face (that of actorRory Kinnear)?
Is it fair to callMena feminist horror film?
Garland is staying mum for now.
“A huge amount of it is about how the viewer responds to it,” Garland says.
If that is your response to it, I’m fascinated by that."
I’m hoping to disrupt that a bit."
Horror movies especially have gained from Garland’s playfulness.
Menhits theaters May 20, distributed by A24.
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