Maybe all MEN?
It was about a month and a half ago that the first teaser was released for Alex Garland’s upcoming film MEN. We made a post about it back then because it seemed intriguing and Garland has a pretty solid track record thus far. Hell, we even made a remix of the teaser using the theme song from Two And A Half Men (idea courtesy of Keith Doughty):
Fixed the MEN trailer (concept by @kedoughty55). pic.twitter.com/LwPz3vctpj
— Neon Splatter (@Neon_Splatter) February 10, 2022
But today A24 released a full trailer, poster, and even a synopsis for MEN! First up, the full trailer:
Intriguing, right? Next up is the synopsis which basically provides a bit more context to the trailer though, given Garland’s work, it most likely will be much more involved with nuances and surprises:
In the aftermath of a personal tragedy, Harper (Jessie Buckley) retreats alone to the beautiful English countryside, hoping to have found a place to heal. But someone or something from the surrounding woods appears to be stalking her. What begins as simmering dread becomes a fully-formed nightmare, inhabited by her darkest memories and fears in visionary filmmaker Alex Garland's (EX MACHINA, ANNIHILATION) feverish, shape-shifting new horror film.
The cast listed is limited to only Buckley, Rory Kinnear, and Paapa Essiedu. And last bit that the studio released today is this poster:
Time to pontificate recklessly! Kinnear is obviously playing multiple roles, i.e., all the pasty English men that politely creep out Buckley and that weird Aphex Twin-looking kid. This would go to the idea/theme that, underneath the slight surface alterations, all men are very much the same person (clearly except for Harper’s doomed partner). Buckley may also be playing some other characters as well, but it’s hard to say at the moment with the limited footage/quick cuts.
The biblical imagery which was implied in the teaser becomes text with the mention of eating “forbidden fruit” right in Harper’s backyard. Garland has worked in a lot of religious/spiritual themes into all of his works (especially EX MACHINA, ANNIHILATION, and Devs)—almost all having to do with creation myths, the idea of soul/identity, and knowledge bringing clarity and catastrophe to those who wield it. Again, pure speculation, but if opens with a fall from grace (literally) for the unfortunate paramour, then that leads to the Garden…this could essentially be Paradise Lost via folk horror and existentialist dread. Not to mention those bits of Raimi pushes towards Harper reminiscent of the unrelenting demons in EVIL DEAD II and the filmmaker’s other works.
As an extension to this (and simultaneously), MEN appears to address concepts like Original Sin and how women were punished by God for eating from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. The punishment was to feel pain in childbirth (and experience menses as well). But that becomes a very interesting idea: it’s not the Tree of Knowledge that was the source of transgression but specifically the Tree Knowledge of Good and Evil. Is Harper cursed with recognizing these sides of the men around her and is further punished for perceiving the dichotomy that others can’t see. Leading her to see these shadow people and haunting figures, the after images of the men who otherwise smile and glad-hand her around the small village.
Today’s releases only adds to the intrigue and promise of Garland’s film. I’m guessing there will be the usual mindfuckery and philosophical musings and can’t wait to see MEN when it comes out in theaters on May 20.