MEN (2022) Ending Explained

[@MovieFiles]

What did you think of the ending of MEN and what themes and deeper meanings did you take away from this film? ► CHAPTER TIMES: Intro - 00:00 Story - 0:41 The Green Man - 1:50 The Connection Theory - 2:25 The Men - 3:00 The Birth - 5:00 The Last Scene - 5:30 Was it on Purpose? - 5:49 Outro - 6:15 Thanks for watching! If you liked this video please Like, Comment, and Share! Be sure to hit that notification bell to know when I post my latest videos. W A Y S T O S U P P O R T T H I S C H A N N E L: ► SUBSCRIBE: bit.ly/2lj413n ► STREAMLABS: streamlabs.com/moviefiles ► PAYPAL: paypal.me/MovieFiles F O L L O W M E ► TikTok | www.tiktok.com/@moviefiles​​​ ► Instagram | instagram.com/moviefiles​​​ ► Twitter | twitter.com/MovieFilesLive​​​ ► Letterboxd | letterboxd.com/moviefiles/​​​

[@dowebe17]

I take that it has multiple interpretations. She clearly could have suffered from PTSD w/dissociation. I think that she lost her marbles towards the end and ended up killing the landlord.

[@dowebe17]

Her blood could have been her own from wrecking the car.

[@bobbyboi352]

I really think that ending was rushed I don’t even know what it meant but I loved the first two acts

[@salvadorreyes1337]

That's everyone's explanation. Everyone's go to lame

[@ryanmcgowan21]

I couldn’t help but give it a Cixousian reading - like it has all of the hallmarks of Cixous’ feminist theory: women are cosmic; the patriarchy perpetuates/rebirths itself (with the womb as a subordinate tool); men deny communication between women etc. If you read To Live the Orange/Vivre l’orange and then watch the film, it’s almost like it can’t be anything else

[@Arkainjel]

I think this is one of those "up to your own interpretation" movies, but I believe Harper's retreat wasn't just due to James' death, but other unspoken pressures that ultimately led to him killing himself. Each man's want from Harper represented different pressures from James during their relationship, and why Harper couldn't stand to live the way she was living and wanted to leave him. The homeowner represents James' passive-aggressive, possibly even unintentional misogyny. Throughout the film he would make quips about forbidden fruit, tampons, turning away from snapping the crow's neck because it isn't something a lady should see, and then taking her car because of her bad driving. The vicar (as well as the forbidden fruit comment) represents James' religious background and his belief that Harper has a physical/sexual obligation as his wife, also stating that he didn't want a divorce because they made a sacred vow to be married, and is therefore entitled to certain opportunities to apologize and be forgiven when having done wrong. The child represents James wanting Harper to pay more time and attention to him, demonstrated by his actions when he catches her texting someone else. The denial of her attention resulting in anger and jealousy from both the child and James. The cop represents James' apathy toward Harper's feelings, in stark hypocrisy to the child, paying little to no attention to her when she expresses fears and concerns. This is likely to also include other scenarios in their relationship, but in the movie it is specifically with regard to the "Green Man". The "homeless man" or "Green Man" represents nature, and his purpose was possibly two-fold. The first being James' pressure for Harper to have children. After her mental breakdown, Harper viewed all men as the same, but the reason this man specifically was the one who constantly stalked her is the concept of the "biological clock" always looming, pressuring Harper, as well as all women, to have children. I believe this is also demonstrated by the dandelion scene symbolizing the attempt to impregnate her, and her seemingly embracing it, as if this was a way James made her feel happy and safe before revealing it as a way to control her. The second purpose, and climax of the movie being that the generational upbringing of man after man after man inevitably led to James and the way he ended up being as a person. This implies that James didn't choose to be the way that he was and wanting all of these things, but that this was the nature of men and how they are a product of their predecessors. I believe that denying James all of these things is the reason Harper felt tormented and responsible for his death. In the end, however, James defined the abuse toward Harper as simply him wanting "love", and that is ultimately what opened Harper's eyes. All of the hellish treatment and mental anguish she was put through was chocked up to a simple "I just want you to love me", and she finally saw it for the manipulative gaslighting it truly was.

[@MovieFiles]

Very insightful breakdown and thank you for sharing this.

[@Radmxray]

I like this. I too believe they were all parts of James personality and traits manifested and not that all men are misogynistic. That is a bit of a stretch and to me untrue.

[@Passion84GodAlways]

@Arkainjel - 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@alondratorres9208]

I'm not a fan of this interpretation tbh. If it is what Alex meant, that is very disappointing. Especially your line "led to him killing himself." It makes men just these simple creatures that can't be at fault for their behavior because it's just their nature.

[@josecasillas4081]

I don't think Harper ever got over her guilt for what happened to James. 1. I think the final (implied) act of striking the man/ghost was supposed to be the climactic end to her struggle, finally overcoming her past, but she didn't. Although, on the other hand, one could argue that not striking him with the axe was the symbolic way of the film to say that violence (striking him down with the axe) is not a good way to solve your internal problems, so she instead sat down with him, comfortably on the couch, and she allowed him to speak, in a way reflecting that we ought to deal with traumas in a more healthy way, by confronting them like adults rather than to run away constantly, like she had done throughout the entire film (retreating to some cottage somewhere). She was pushed around from place to place, forced to leave b/c she wanted to escape it. The very end stood in stark contrast to the rest of the movie. We were not seeing the main character sitting with her killer/slasher/villain, we were seeing two people in the end, talking like adults. A completely different scenario to the one before where the two of them were engaged in shouting matches. I think that the dandylion was a motif used in the film to represent freedom. In this case, her freedom from the torment of James' death. A dandylion will go wherever the wind will take it, free and without restraints, and in some way she was also seeking that same freedom to leave and go wherever without the constant haunting memory of his death. She was not free from the guilt, a terrible consequence of his manipulative tactics. Her lack of freedom is an illusion of course, because she cannot seriously be held responsible for what the man did to himself. She kept herself fettered, mentally, by assuming that she had something to do with it, and the other men also tried to convince her that she was responsible. She wasn't.

[@bryh555]

One of the most confusing parts to me was when Harper flees the house but it flashes to her stumbling through the entrance hallway and falling to the floor I couldn’t tell if she was somehow living both moments at the same time or what was going on

[@MovieFiles]

Appreciate you sharing your thoughts

[@rebeccahill6187]

I took it as the entity briefly shapeshifting into her for...some reason. Maybe I'm remembering it wrong but I seem to recall the "second" Harper having the split arm. In the grand scheme of it I interpreted the men as being born more from Harper's fears than an external force or representation of James (hence the casting of Jessie Buckley and Rory Kinnear who have a slight physical resemblance), so maybe after getting stabbed it briefly loses its ability to put on these disguises?

[@Jabbathehutsmum]

@@rebeccahill6187 yeah you remembered it wrong she never had a split arm

[@Jabbathehutsmum]

@Hoodie y came up with a whole theory on something that didn’t happen 😂😂

[@lalaland7603]

@@rebeccahill6187 Yes, she does have a split arm the second time around. It was an entity transformation

[@tannisquinn]

Interesting.. I thought the point of Rory Kinnear playing all the men and Harper not paying it any mind was supposed to depict how the trauma of her past relationship has left her with the feeling and fear that all men are the same. It’s such a common response after a traumatic relationship to carry around your baggage and assume a new partner will have the same patterns and hurt you in the same ways. She’s so oblivious to it I thought it was supposed to denote something about the character to the audience.

[@Goldarlives]

I was wondering what she was going to do with the axe. Axes are used to cut down trees, and the Green Man is basically a walking tree, so I guess she cut down the men in her life that came from the Green Man.

[@MovieFiles]

Great connection

[@DonnyDemarco481]

Piece of shit connection and movie

[@DAND3Li]

Hm I feel like with that there’s something about men being the provider of the forbidden fruit

[@assumingfrog7944]

@DANDI DANIELLA I thought the same. The axe felt so random, I felt like it had to have some meaning. It makes sense that Eve would cut down the tree of the forbidden fruit, so to speak. In this case it would be Harper freeing herself of the sin she believes she had to carry.

[@cassidy2453]

Alex Garland said that he wants the audience to take away their own interpretations, which are often based on their own experiences in life. Something that stuck out to me at the end is that, once Harper’s friend came, I felt safe. And Harper looked so relieved/happy to see her friend. She wasn’t the only female there anymore. It is a feeling all too familiar to me (as a small female who also gets nervous walking/being alone in unfamiliar places). This smile also could have been because of her acceptance and processing through the trauma, but it initially struck me as a feeling of safety/relief of not being the only female there anymore.

[@MovieFiles]

I appreciate you sharing your thoughts insight

[@bradleymcdonald6273]

Yeah, I agree For me, I related to how there's always that one girl who alludes you... And you try to get close to her by becoming whoever you need to become for her... I WILL HAVE HER!!! MAN HAVE HIS WAY!!!

[@HonkHonkler]

So basically this movie is 100% the misandrist allegory for men I though it was gonna be, HARD pass. I'm getting so fucking sick of these man-bashing films. They're not making me or any man "better" (as if there was something wrong with most of us to begin with), it just ironically slowly makes me the complete opposite.

[@deathmagneto-soy]

@@HonkHonkler - You sound like one of the self-entitled creatures that this film intended to expose. Do better.

[@Nunya_Bidness_53]

But what left that giant trail of blood behind?

[@crisgotfanz]

that rebirth scene had my jaw dropping i’ve never seen nun like that but it was so cool seeing the main character’s character developed n she just accepted her traumas almost stopped caring about the crazy shit she was seeing

[@MovieFiles]

Appreciate you sharing your thoughts cris and yea that scene was 🤯

[@treiskushrenada6332]

I just saw the movie a few hours ago and I said to myself, “…man WTF and I even watching🤢🤦🏾‍♂️” lol it felt as weird as Midsomer when I saw that, but the symbolism and imagery always speak to something deeper.

[@crisgotfanz]

@@treiskushrenada6332 man i was definitely getting midsommar vibes as well but the movie did a great job with the symbolism/imagery luv that the most about the movie. the visuals were crazy it looked so real

[@treiskushrenada6332]

@@crisgotfanz indeed, and since I happen to love folk tales and cultural mythology, I’m definitely going to read up on The Green Man. Still, I could have gone my entire life without seeing that “rebirth” scene, though😂😂

[@milicakocic7554]

fax

[@xmeganpalmerx]

the way i saw this film: all of the men are representations of a different part of james’ personality, coming back to haunt harper after his death. harper’s initial response is confusion, which can be linked to when her relationship with james turned sour, i imagine like many victims of an abusive relationship they are first simply shocked. she then retaliates, fighting back against all the men, stabbing them in all the same places that james was injured at his death. this represents both how she “killed” james, as he would argue, but also how she combats her trauma and fights off the haunting images in her mind of james and the men. when james is finally born again, in his purest form and no longer hiding behind the faces of the other men, harper can see him for what he is: a product of a misogynistic and patriarchal society, and a pathetic boy-like “victim” begging for love (but what he really wants is control). she could fight him like the other men, just as riley says she will chop one of the men’s d*ck off with an axe that is in her hand, tempting her. but she realises now that it is not worth her time, as fighting against the truth only prolongs this nightmare. she accepts james’ answer, almost unphased. i liked at this point that the title “men” showed on the screen, making me believe the film had ended, on a rather sad and worrying note with little hope. but the film continues, and we see riley come to the house, just as she promised. i appreciate here the evidence of the damage done to the house and to harper, as even though harper may have imagined these events in her mind, riley sees her suffering and it is validated. i also was interested by riley being visibly pregnant, and was almost comforting to see after the disturbing sequence of the pregnant men graphically and painfully giving birth to one another. riley’s presence is a comforting reminder that although the patriarchy births men, raised by other men, passing on the same misogynistic mindsets, they are not doomed to be this way because of women, and no child can come in to this world without a female reproductive system. the female influence can reform society, in the same way riley longs to heal harper.

[@Tom-bi7ir]

Unless the way she treated James is what caused him to act that way and her being pregnant at the end signals she's destined to repeat that to another

[@KyMirabel]

@Megan Palmer Beautifully written. I just finished watching it tonight and came away with similar views.

[@jakefrisbie8409]

I know I am two years late to this but did y'all think Harper actually ended up killing someone? In the last scene we see the blood on the floor, Harper is covered in blood. I think all of this was in her head but she might have actually gone mad and offed Geoffrey or any of the men in the film... Lesson learned: seek therapy instead of remote retreats in the woods after a traumatic experience! Yikes

[@pewpewlazers5702]

What I got out of it was Mens desperate need to be loved by women, however their toxic masculinity traits make them denied. Harper didn’t want to be looked down on. She wanted to be seen as an equal. The ending was a rebirth, the monster was trying to take a form that was to be accepted by Harper. In the end it thought maybe being her dead husband would make her feel regret and finally accept him. It’s it’s final form, and is once again rejected. Harper is then finally free from her nightmare. It was almost a bit like a therapy session. I’m not even sure she actually went to the retreat. I’m guessing most of what we’ve seen was internal. Then her friend picks her up at the end when she’s overcome her struggle.

[@MovieFiles]

Appreciate you sharing your breakdown and appreciate you watching my video

[@VividFilmProductions]

Beta* mens desperate need to be loved by women.

[@paigebair4083]

I think that’s a really interesting take on the birth scene! My boyfriend and I came to the conclusion that each of the men in this film that tormented Harper were different aspects of her ex husband. Different forms of abuse (sexual, emotional, physical, etc). During the birthing, each layer of these traits was being literally peeled back to reveal her ex husband. The abuse he put her through was seen through all these men, and he could be seen for what he was when inspected on each of these levels. Childish, disgusting, mean, frightening. Maybe this film is saying something about abuse, and how abusers affect their victims for a lifetime, unable to trust anyone or feel safe ever again.

[@marvin2678]

"toxic"

[@rulsey23]

Think this makes most sense to me Thanks

[@filmreviewer117]

I see the ending as Harper finally accepts James' death. All the men are some version of what her husband was, and they tried to connect with her on different levels but all failed. It attempted to rebirth itself by finding a form to please her, which relates to James' point at the start when he was trying to please Harper into staying with her. Then when Riley comes and sees smiles, she's happy to see her friend, but the smile is her taking the first step past James.

[@Tom-bi7ir]

Yeah, all that.

[@djbethell]

You're giving it far too much credit.

[@s.stricker9611]

What if this whole movie represents going through the therapy after any type of physical or mental abuse. When you start taking about your trauma, reliving the past and letting emotions take over. It’s very hard and sometimes you can even feel the physical pain… but in the end you get better. I also think that her friend was actually her therapist, who guided her through this mess….

[@MovieFiles]

Very interesting 🤔

[@clarissasarabia2571]

Yessss! Harper was going through immense grief and her nervous system was in shock. Being able to be alone after trauma has passed forces you to face the demons of the past. The whole time I thought she was just having a psychotic episode, she perceived the men in the movie as the same way she probably perceived her husband and his behavior when he was alive. I think she was projecting her pet with her current state. I think in the end, the blood was hers and she was getting out of her nervous break down and seeing her friend gave her relief. I’ve gone through divorce and trauma and this file captured every emotion perfectly, I was never able to explain to my doctor how depression and grief felt but it literally felt like the movie, the outside world is so beautiful but your mind is so distraught that it projects negative emotions into every person you meet and no matter how hard you try to heal and move on, the ghost of the past always comes to haunt you. 😞

[@clarissasarabia2571]

Past * not pet . Lol

[@BL3SSed-Bliss]

I love and agree with this, especially since Riley encouraged her to 'stay in that space and see it through' (my words, using therapy rhetoric/lingo). What do you think is meant to be symbolized by Riley's pregnancy?

[@kg5463]

!!!!!

[@supertoast4946]

My initial interpretation of the movie was that Harper’s husband always had these multiple unstable personalities, which was why she wanted to leave him, then he came back as a ghost along with his personalities. Also he apparently does a 180 right before impact for cinematic purposes

[@MovieFiles]

Interesting theory that he was the all the men in ghost form 🤔

[@stormylermeny2419]

I had a similar interpretation.

[@MA-qu3hi]

Lol @ the 180 comment

[@gordonchell4364]

Well, Harper did say that maybe he was trying to climb on through the window and slipped.

[@Jabbathehutsmum]

@@gordonchell4364 that doesn’t explain why is body managed to 180 in mid air 😂

[@BabyJesus66]

I felt like she had PTSD from her husband and the births were her pain and memories coming back that she needed to get over. She looked like toward the end they didn't matter to her and she faced her fears, and killed her pain when she finally faced her husband directly. The end when her friend came she was over her pain and the recurring nightmare stopped. It could have been her entire life pain (possibly caused by men) represented by the kid (childhood bully?), the vicar (church judgement), the landlord (father type figure when he made the house rules and tried protecting her), and then her husband (self explained). Just my theory anyway.

[@postpunky]

i watched this literally a couple hours ago and i was so disgusted by the third act i lost my appetite. i was so shocked at what i was watching i started laughing as i was literally in disbelief. i loved this film. thanks so much for sharing your thoughts.

[@thejeffjefferson4128]

I started laughing out loud in the cinema… couldn’t help it….. loved the film

[@nalla9398]

K justttt watched the movie and: I believe that to Harper, the men all looked like different people in “real life” YET they all wear the same face to the audience because subconsciously her mentality (with her being in a raw state after her husbands death) is that all men are the same. As many have already stated, these characters possibly hold similar characteristics to her ex and same as in the relationship, she won’t back down. The interesting thing about her best friend is that she asked if Harper could play the piano and I’m thinking… wouldn’t she know that? The theory that her bestie is actually her therapist helping her unpack her trauma fits to a certain degree because that would explain why every time the spoke and she was gearing up to state where she was, a man would appear or the connection would end- possibly an actual mental block during the therapy session that she was in in real life where her traumas would leave her silent or withdrawn during the sessions. VERY interesting movie

[@MovieFiles]

Very great breakdown and theories Nalla and I can’t thank you enough for sharing your thoughts and for watching my video.

[@alondratorres9208]

I LOVE your thoughts!!! I had the same vibe

[@pa5666]

Wow, your breakdown definitely added to this video and gave me more insight. I also thought it was weird that the friend didn't know she played the piano but the therapist angle makes sense! :o

[@nalla9398]

@@pa5666 Right? It's definitely open to interpretation but that just fits so well

[@crax83]

I don't think that you usually trade "I love yous" with your therapist though, right? I personally think Riley is her, perhaps somewhat new, girlfriend and probably her reason for initiating the divorce. It somewhat fits the movie's "all men are basically the same, and also very bad people" theme, like the only way women can be truly happy is without men. I might be wrong, but I believe that when she's seeing Riley at the end is the only time she smiles in the entire movie. Granted, she doesn't have that much to smile about during most of the film. But I don't know, I'm just a random idiot on the internet. I have no degrees in film theory or anything like that.

[@beckybusstop8087]

I think the reference to Adam and Eve was just another representation of how she is blamed for what happened to her husband. Eve is seen as the fall of humanity because she ate the apple, but eve only ate the apple because Satan (a man) convinced her to do it. All these men look down on her and are condescending like her husband was, and I think the she killed the man with the axe in the rebirth scene because she realized that the cycle of abuse (and his suicide) still had an effect on her just like her husband said he wanted before he died. This is just my interpretation tho and there was still a lot of imagery I didn’t understand so I definitely need a second viewing but I liked how much this movie is making me think.

[@timopper5488]

Just for clarification, Satan (or Lucifer) is not a man, but a fallen angel, all of whom are without bodies and therefore have no gender. Angels and demons are only called “him” or “he” simply as a linguistic convention. The tempter in the Garden is only called a serpent. Even with the serpent being equated with Satan or Lucifer, “he” is still not a man, and not male. Regarding the movie, though, I agree that a lot of it is inscrutable and puzzling, though interesting.

[@MovieFiles]

Great point

[@peterparker9954]

Well eve shouldn't have eaten the apple....Adam didn't

[@beckybusstop8087]

@@peterparker9954 Adam did eat it too

[@peterparker9954]

@@beckybusstop8087 Adam was being a simp

[@captainthrall]

The first half of this movie was 10/10 flawless. The music, the pace, the tone, were all perfect. Then they ruined it all with that ridiculous ending.

[@nickdovolos8271]

What are your thoughts on the fact that the injury’s that happened to the green man were the same as what happened to James after falling/jumping?

[@MovieFiles]

Connection between his haunting on her and the folk lore of the green man

[@micah4029]

As I was watching the movie, I had 2 theories/interpretations: Harper was in therapy following her husband's death and Rory Kinnear is her therapist; and/or every Rory Kinnear character represents a different kind of man, or aspects that any man can present. I thought the stuff at the end was figurative, but then we see her car is actually crashed, and her friend's reaction seems like the blood might also be real.

[@MovieFiles]

Interesting theory and appreciate you sharing your thoughts

[@emilyhedrick7841]

I think she was in the car and did drive it into the brick. Honestly I’m still wondering if when Geoffrey was chasing her it was really just herself chasing her back into the house. I have 2 other theories about who died. 1 it really was just Geoffrey and he happened to walk in at the wrong time or it was the naked dude cuz if he is supposed to be symbolizing rebirth and that stuff maybe he made another appearance and he was also in the wrong place at the wrong time. But either one I think she really did just have a break down and swung on someone

[@mackenziemoore7503]

See that's the thing, I watched it last night and I did not realize all the men were played by the same actor!! I was just so entranced in the plot and about Harper's plight. But damn kudos to Rory Kinnear he was amazing!

[@lea9977]

Interesting because I immediately noticed they were the same man when she got to the pub, and I started feeling severely creeped out.

[@crax83]

​@@lea9977same, but it started with the scene with the deep faked kid and the priest for me. Then it really got obvious at the pub.

[@39mack23]

The ending was amazing! Scared the shit out of me can't lie

[@MovieFiles]

Yeah that ending was very interesting. I appreciate you watching my breakdown!

[@patriciaarodriguez6641]

Honestly I had a hard time understanding it but really appreciate your theories. They make sense.

[@MovieFiles]

Appreciate you watching my video Patricia

[@elluchadork]

This movie takes surrealism to another level. Every time I watch it I catch something different

[@andrewoldham3675]

Going with the obvious Book of Genesis/Adam and Eve thing, it's not so subtle that James falling from the balcony is a literal interpretation of the "Fall of Man" that is described in the Holy Bible about how Eve is blamed for the Fall of Man when she gives the Forbidden Fruit to Adam. People seem to forget that the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden is, at least from a lot of Feminist theory points of view, a masculine story about how women screw everything up and they're at fault for men being evil, as woman caused the fall of man. Not really subtle, but it works.

[@Goldarlives]

“Fall of man” - I hadn’t thought about that! Good observation

[@elongatedmanforever1252]

Oh god no.

[@elongatedmanforever1252]

Would be interesting if all the men weren't portrayed as evil.

[@MovieFiles]

Appreciate you sharing your thoughts Andrew

[@VividFilmProductions]

Personally, the book of genesis thing was a little cliché but the rest of the movie was great.

[@maddyabby300]

Just came back from the theater.. I don’t know how to feel lol easily the strangest movie I’ve ever seen… that last part.. oh my God, I about left, i was so uncomfortable, but overall I didn’t hate it, but it didn’t meet my expectations since I love Alex Garlands films so much 😩 great breakdown btw!! Really helped me to understand more!

[@MovieFiles]

Glad you enjoyed it and appreciate you sharing your thoughts and for watching my breakdown.

[@auntiegrandma09]

2:52 I do think the movie personified the characters of a lot of men in real life, not just the men in the movie. These characters portrayed by the men in the movie are based on how a lot of men and abusers are in real life. Gaslighting you into thinking abuse is okay, dismissing the complaints of women, and just being an incel in general, it all goes on in reality and this movie portrays it perfectly. So yes, it is a critique of men in society, and what women have to deal with on a daily basis.

[@Augrills]

I can’t wait for Women to come out where we delve into taboo subjects like too many pillows on the bed and taking most of them off before we lay down

[@junkpool]

i used to think the husband didnt mean to fall, seeing as he was facing her window-- but it makes sense he took his life and possibly WANTED her to see his face if she so happened to be looking. to truly torment her and make it all about him

[@fctampus]

during the part where harper stabs the man's arm mirroring her husbands death injury, that's the time I concluded this movie was more metaphoric, dealing with "it's all in her head".. and that his death would torment her.

[@lonwolf8245]

I decided a few years ago especially after seeing many Foreign Films that not everything needs to be explained. What I got from it is the Inn was manifestation of guilt over husband's death which may or may not have been an accident. She experienced many versions of 'MEN' so it took her through a whole spectrum. I noticed the monster had same injuries as husband. I also know people that threaten suicide and rarely do it. So I think the husband fell. Great movie and he's a great director.

[@chriswilson3126]

The film certainly succeeded in that it intended to make you ponder over its meaning. Great interpretation here.

[@israelvelasco4340]

And if I remember correctly he rebirth himself 4 times. And there are 4 seasons. Plus how time he rebirth it kept going up and up in places to birth like he is trying to grow a new version of himself.

[@MovieFiles]

Great connection

[@FaridKrueger1]

Did anyone else also notice how the Ecco of her singing all together was chanting “Papa Legba”?!

[@simonnessi9470]

my interpretation of the film is that all the men she saw (or at least most of them) were in her head, in one part of the film riley tells harper about how harper rented this house so that she could heal, i think that all of the men are different versions of james. When harper attacks and practically kills all of the men it’s her getting closure and when the rebirth happens it symbolizes harper moving on to another chapter of her life.

[@taya12020]

Great breakdown. I just got back from this movie and I really, really like it. For me it's right between Annihilation and Ex Machina. Jessie Buckley is such a star. Every moment she was on screen I was right there with her. The tension was great in this film and being a woman I cringed at some of the familiar interactions. I think it says a lot about the relationships between men and women without holding your hand through it. Also, I think you mentioned the cg on Rory's face as a teen and I think it was intentionally wonky. It made me feel creeped out to see this boyish looking man. The true horror could've just been him stalking Harper the entire time tbh. I can't wait to see this again when it's streaming.

[@MovieFiles]

Well said Taya and glad you enjoyed it. How did you feel about that ending and the birth scene and the knife and door moment 😮

[@taya12020]

@@MovieFiles I actually wasn’t grossed out by the birth scene the way a lot of others seemed to be going by twitter. I was just in awe of it really. Like I couldn’t believe he went there and it just kept going and I was stunned by the final man that showed up I guess because I was so into in technically. The knife and hand moment made me squirm though. When I realized it was gonna go right through I was actually shaking. 😂

[@MovieFiles]

Yeah I’m just like you, that the knife in the arm was 🤢

[@liljayred5953]

Same I just never got certain parts of the movie feel like I wasted two hours when I could’ve watched Doctor Strange

[@MrSmith-1987]

Cap

[@authornathanday6983]

Excellent analysis. I just watched it yesterday, May 24th, and loved it until the 3rd act just blew my mind and made me unsure how I felt about it period...not in a bad way, just that it challenged me on virtually every level and I needed to process it. Your breakdown definitely helps me in that regard. Concerning James's death, my take is that it actually WAS an accident, not that he wouldn't have killed himself, but that he didn't intend to then and the look on his face as he falls is utter shock at having slipped and regret knowing he was possibly about to die. I think if he intended to kill himself, he wouldn't have just tried falling from a third story balcony after breaking into the upstairs neighbor's. He would have no way of guaranteeing Harper would have seen his fall. Again though, the look on his face as he fell, to me, seemed shocked and even afraid. Overall, excellent writing, powerful performances and breathtaking cinematography. Also, I want to note that I thought it interesting that, to me, Rory's facial structure is very similar to Jessie's, making him almost seem like the male half of her as she battled out her guilt until Rory at last birthed James when she felt strong enough to finally confront him/how she felt.

[@MovieFiles]

Appreciate you sharing this detailed breakdown!

[@Fueledbychapstick]

I also noticed that his facial structure was similar to hers, it added to the disorienting feeling with all the same faces!

[@BL3SSed-Bliss]

*Most faces display such shock in any fall, including intentional ones (suicides, high jumps, bungee jumps, free-falls, 🎢, etc). It's instinctive.*

[@jenvampvegas4571]

I'm glad I watched this ending explained before any of the others on this movie. Your explanation made sense and seems right. The others I watched seemed as confused as I initially was. Thank you!

[@MovieFiles]

I appreciate that Jen and thank you for supporting the breakdown.

[@ckblackwoodmusic]

It had several beautiful and brilliantly executed elements typical of an A24! It was ultimately a tragedy more than a horror to me. Men behave like monsters out of a desperate need for love.

[@MovieFiles]

Well said Ck

[@mwoods4608]

The 3rd act was creepy, but almost goofy because Harper went inside like" I'm over it", she didn't even bother closing the door behind her

[@MovieFiles]

Appreciate you sharing your thoughts and watching my video

[@MatureBeauty12]

I noticed that as well. After awhile, she got fed up with it and became ready to kill or chop whatever was needed to be chopped. She wasn’t dealing with the shit anymore. I don’t blame her. By the time it was over, morning was there.

[@nadamada8328]

Thanks for the breakdown! just saw it today, and was very confused. I really liked the movie until the end. For a casual first time watch, its hard understanding everything that's going on. There's also a few small things that happened that still don't make sense. For example, when the girl on the phone started glitching, why was she screaming? Another thing, why do the men disappear when the lights flicker? My best guess for that is just so they can transform into another man.

[@MovieFiles]

Definitely a challenging film and I really appreciate watching my breakdown!

[@pa5666]

I have those same questions actually. The scream on the phone was definitely creepy!!!

[@hannahselby-hughes348]

I’ve got a few questions! I watched this film last night and I can’t stop thinking about it. Pomegranates were mentioned twice in the film, is this a reference to Hades and Persephone, and if so, why? Why when Geoffrey asked if she could play the piano did she lie about not being able to? Was she diminishing her abilities so as not to intimidate him? I don’t get it? Amazing film! Will be rewatching soon to see what I missed

[@isabellapoppy9961]

can u mention when the pomegranates were mentioned? i remember geoffrey mentioning pomegranate in the bar ,i dont remember the other one. and can u explain the hades and persophone reference,i dont get it.

[@hannahselby-hughes348]

@@isabellapoppy9961 yeah Geoffrey mentioned it and she was also eating one when she was working and the naked man was in the garden. The pomegranate refers to a Greek myth called the rape of Persephone, where Persephone is kidnapped and taken to the underworld by Hades. When her mother goes to rescue her (I’m really condensing this!) it turns out she had eaten pomegranate seeds, and when you eat food in the underworld you have to stay. So for half the year she lives upstairs, and the other half she has to stay in the underworld. Hope that helps! I can find some interesting videos if I get chance and you would like?

[@isabellapoppy9961]

@@hannahselby-hughes348 but how does the myth relate here? Like maybe she is trapped in her own mind or something. yea i wud love to watch those videos, might as well know the exact story while eating a pomegranate hehe.

[@Roseforthethorns]

I’m currently trying to process the whole thing- just got back from seeing it.

[@MovieFiles]

I know that feeling lol

[@buzzfunk]

Same here. Just seen it. lol

[@gabi4248]

I adored this movie!!!!!! I never felt anything like when the movie ended. I can’t understand why so so many people hated it.

[@alondratorres9208]

Same, but that stupid top gun movie got a 97% rating. People only like simple caveman movies

[@abdulsameeh_666]

@@alondratorres9208 bro you can love a movie without hating other ... Top gun isn't stupid it's awesome just like men.. why y'all cringe asf

[@moffat7741]

The beauty of the movie is that a lot of it is up too interpretation. Me for one sees it is about grief, guilt, and trauma. Grief from he losing her husband because even though he was bad in the last year of their relationship, he wasn't always like that. Like how in a flashback he states it was only that last year he started acting out. So he must have been good before and those were the reasons she married him. Guilt from his death she does feel some responsibility of his death even though she doesn't appear too do a ything too cause it besides wanting a divorce due too his recent behaviour. And trauma from the abuse she suffered mentally, emotionally, then eventually physically from James specifically not men in particular. The men in the movie all start off nice in different ways, then turn sour in different ways, which represents all the good ways James started off and then all the bad things he turned into. The green man symbolises the journey of Harpers recovery which starts at the tunnel which is a great reference to the saying going through the tunnel or there's a light at the end of the tunnel. There is the green man giving birth too all the stages of James showing Harper is getting through all the trauma of James eventually getting to the last stage before her rebirth is complete, which is letting go of James himself. There are questions I have, though because I know there is alot of symbolism especially to do with religion all the way from death like James haunting her, the dead animal carcasses the green man himself, the church, the visuals of light and dark, the forbidden fruit, some of the actual dialog giving references ect ect. Another important point I noticed was the amount of births which resemble the 5 stages of grief, there are 4 births which eventually lead up too James himself representing the last stage being too let him go leaving him in the past and moving on. Question 1. What made James change? Did something traumatic happen too him? Question 2 Ofcourse Harper crashed the car but who did she hurt/kill in the house because her friend reacts too the scenes at the house so wtf has happened? Did she kill Gregory in a snapped rage during her hallucinations? Or possibly was the green man real? Maybe the blood is from the green man's representations of James behaviours and maybe Gregory's representation actually crashed the car.......because think about it the police seemed too have really seen the green man even the police women. Unless the homeless man was indeed a homeless man who was arrested but didn't get released, and it was just harpers mind making up the policeman telling her that so she would have a person too represent the green man. Anyways this is what I believe the movie is saying. Whatever the meaning truly is or if it is truly that of people's individual interpretations only the director knows. But it is a good movie overall however I feel the ending could have been done a but better. Anyways that is my belief on what the movie represents and I hope you all enjoyed it.

[@s.stricker9611]

Just watched this movie with my girlfriends. Oh wow, did not expect to see the mangina😬 But yea… I believe all of the male characters are representing her husband. And I hated the priest guy. Ugh. Even thinking about him makes me mad. I didn’t get the crashed car and the blood everywhere in the end…

[@kevinstewart4123]

You must wonder why you drove them to it.

[@MovieFiles]

Appreciate you sharing your thoughts and I believe all those events took place

[@terrealexander4442]

@@kevinstewart4123 I'm ded

[@alexv0714]

for me this movie is just what the fuck. I've read most of the theories and comments about interpretations and deeper meaning but there's so many things these little theories didn't address. her voice echoing through the tunnel and the man at the end who gave chase (was wearing clothes thus not green man), the female mask on the boy character, her friend texting her saying she "knows where you are YOU BITCH" after the video call dropped, the piano and piece she played as well as lying to the homeowner about it... this movie has SO many tiny details like that, and in a movie as symbolic and intentional as this one, all the little details like that absolutely have a meaning to it. really hope the director/writers or whomever has an interview or breakdown of their own as to the deeper meanings behind this piece.

[@shamblepants1450]

To me, it felt as though Harper's experience (and many experiences by other women as well as by abused/coerced men) reflected how each man she meets are variations on the same theme. They worship her, control her, gaslight her, use her, and threaten her. How horrifying it was for her to see how each man will continually reproduce amongst themselves to perpetuate their own grotesque ideologies. Harper is DONE at this point, and dispatches this despicable, creeping view of womenhood (and perhaps those men who are not filled with such poison). I have only just watched this movie, so it would appear that I have much MUCH more to think about. Thank you for the video!

[@MovieFiles]

Appreciate you sharing your thoughts and watching my breakdown

[@officialrivv]

The whole movie was a symbolic representation of what happened between her and her husband. She comes to terms with the results at the end of the movie

[@MovieFiles]

Well said and appreciate you sharing your opinion

[@tonycedeno2091]

Hereditary: "I'm the most disturbing movie you'll ever see ". Men: "Hold my beer".

[@MovieFiles]

😂

[@davidcarney1827]

I was thinking the same way. Reminds me of Mother . I believe its one you have to watch a few times.

[@MovieFiles]

I 100% agree

[@davidcarney1827]

Have you seen The Sadness ?

[@peacebeyondpassion2]

No thanks. Better things to do with my time.

[@djbethell]

I'm not putting up with that twice.

[@KevRyanCG]

I just watched it there and had to pop into an explanation just to jog my memory of the film itself as I was left utterly shook and bewildered by the third act. However after you played just a few shots of the opening of the film it jogged some ideas again and I was able to put together my own conclusion. That the curse upon Harper is borne from her demanding her own agency and freedom away from a troubled man who previously did not tackle his own trauma, and expected her to bear the responsibility of it. She wants a divorce because she can't live in an emotionally manipulative and abusive relationship, which ultimately gets physical as her last straw. She makes a stand against him and says it's absolutely over, and the consequence is that her husband either purposefully or accidentally kills himself. So her want for personal agency over her life without this man has lead to horrible guilt, a curse upon her mind. She goes to the countryside and has a wonderful sequence of a forest bath, and a very innocent and wholly personal experience of shouting echos down a dark and ominious tunnel, spoiled by the presence of a male figure. Either in her mind as an intrusive thought or actually stalking her. Also throughout she experiences numerous characters, all men who all look similar to Harper, trying to talk or relate to her in some way, and being awkward and uncomfortable or downright offensive. Showing in some way that she could be seeing all men as being cut from the same cloth. Then as we get into the more bizarre sections of the film, I feel that the over arching theme is of generational emotional trauma being passed down through men by their fathers and their peers to conform to the idea of masculinity. The imagery of the apple being eaten as original sin alludes to the "sin" of just being a woman in a world of men, who expect her to process things in their limited purview, but cannot empathize or show adequate emotions to her situation. The dandelions symbolise also the idea of men foisting their issues and viewport upon their partners as the de facto perspective. I see in the apples falling the very literal idea of the apples not falling far from the tree of fathers passing on their trauma to their sons. Especially when the green man rebirths itself with the same afflictions over and over again, and ultimately takes the form of her late husband. Who he himself did not deal with his wrought emotions affectively and foisted them as a responsibility upon his wife. The final shot and slight twist of Riley arriving and being pregnant is portraying a woman who has chosen to make a bond with man and have a child with him, showing her that it is yet still possible that she could find and be with a man in future, for that purpose or not. That she can still have agency and be independent as she is, since we never see or hear anything about Riley's partner. Or, it's more of a wry smile against the status quo, as in to say, my friend is having a child due to a man, and potentially keeping this whole generational emotional mess going. Granted this potentially all falls down if you ask about the crashed car and the blood in the house that Riley acknowledges, so I'm not fully sure whether or not I can say the experience was her own mind processing the guilt that was foisted upon her. Nevertheless, a great film, I've not been left attempting to sort or try to make sense of something like this for a while. I hope it's not a wall of gibberish!

[@MovieFiles]

Not gibberish at all. It’s been some time since I’ve seen it really appreciate your detailed breakdown and thank you for sharing this.

[@CMIC]

The theme I got from the movie was that all men are the same, where all the men had the same injuries connecting that theme

[@Jwebb-zh9gj]

I think feminism explains this movie the best. The only thing they left out was manspreading. I’m almost disappointed 🙄

[@MovieFiles]

Appreciate you sharing your thoughts

[@saderichmond5729]

I love love love this breakdown. You definitely helped me with putting my puzzle pieces together.

[@MovieFiles]

Appreciate it Sade and thank you for watching 👏🏾 that 3rd act was insane!

[@saderichmond5729]

@@MovieFiles right but things came full circle. Something else that stood out to me in the third act was when the green man put his hand through the mailbox and Harper went to grab his hand. It symbolized "acceptance" of the burden that was placed on her. Up until she started to feel how much pain came with trying to take something like that on i.e. when he started to squeeze her hand and her then turning to reject it by stabbing him.

[@BL3SSed-Bliss]

*Do you know which song plays in the bar, please?*

[@dredre1726]

I enjoyed the film. Haven’t really been able to come gather my full thoughts yet. The film Was shot so beautiful

[@MovieFiles]

Beautifully shot

[@luzmelendez3924]

I loved this movie so much! I can’t wait to buy it in dvd. But I can’t stop laughing cause when I went to watch it at the movies, the SILENCE was loud when the movie ended. We all just got up and left 💀💀💀 even as we all walked outside the theater everyone was quiet and I’m like wow I’m glad to know I’m not the only one feeling weird about it 💀💀

[@pa5666]

That is hilarious! It really is something to leave us all speechless 😂😂

[@pawlpoche8736]

The knife scene through the mail slot was some seriously 😳 gruesome Sh!t… I loved this movie, I was hooked from the beginning

[@joyd3825]

I simply we were granted access to her mind. The depression, anxiety, fear from breakup and accidental spousal suicide.

[@Roccofan]

I think this was a Jacob's ladder kind of thing...she was the one that jumped due to her boyfriend cheating with her best friend and getting her pregnant. The movie was her final death dream

[@moonlily1]

I don't think there's anything in the material that supports this interpretation, and I don't think that is correct because then the film has no message and all the symbolism is for naught. Especially since the film is a never ending series of Harper standing up to men who want something from her, there is nothing to learn from this if Harper is the one who killed herself because James didn't love her. The repeating theme in her interactions with all of the men is denying them, in one way or another, and them not accepting it, not taking the rejection. If Harper is the one who won't take the rejection, then there is nothing here that this film has to say about 'men' if Harper is the one with the problem. It also doesn't make sense if Riley is the one who betrayed her, because Riley is only ever represented as a positive and supportive figure and not a source of resentment or hurt.

[@Augrills]

I hate these kinds of interpretations. It’s very lazy and makes me think of Max Landis

[@Roccofan]

@@Augrills Your interpretation?

[@fernandoelbrat]

At first I thought she died on that hike and everything after was her experience in hell

[@Divkabezkorunky]

Just watched this movie few minutes ago...and have same feeling like in the movie Mother. Confused, but in the good way, searching for some theories. Thanks so much for this video and sharing your thougs!

[@pa5666]

I just watched the movie and feel the same LOL. Except for when I watched mother, I think I remember being livid. It's a hard watch xD As weird as this movie was, it was still easier to digest haha!

[@kaidenlawrence671]

THANK YOU SO MUCH I REALLY NEEDED THAT EXPLANATION AFTER WHAT I JUST SAW

[@MovieFiles]

Appreciate you watching my video

[@GamingSandviches]

I liked the film overall but one think I didn’t really like was how the film seemed to paint a pretty broad allegory about toxic masculinity as a whole and how men in general can be almost triggers of trauma from a masculine figure but didn’t seem to villanize them enough (especially Jeffrey). Like I get Jeffrey made a few strange comments but overall didn’t really perpetuate misogyny or constant micro aggressions in the way many men due that could have actually been used to hit home that point more effectively. Similarly I get how many of james’ bad traits were present such as the neediness of the boy or the infatuation of the priest, but didn’t really understand how Jeffrey tied into that. Also those traits seem pretty gender neutral at least in the way they manifested in James’ character. Also was confused about that scene where she runs out of the house multiple times >_

[@MovieFiles]

Appreciate you sharing your insight thoughts James

[@marvin2678]

Toxic masculinity is a hateful buzzphrase so old stop using it

[@myway458]

The movie is full of misandry!

[@GamingSandviches]

@@myway458 I wouldn’t call it misandry per say, I think a lot of the themes I got from it were pretty poignant. Like I think having the concept of masculinity being a trigger in general for some women is interesting, idk just think it could’ve been executed more effectively. And some of the critiques of I’d say “men” (and not of masculinity as a gender concept) I felt were quite gender neutral. I see how just the fact of interacting with men could link those traits together but idk just seemed like a toxic human rather than something inherently tied to the issues with masculinity. So maybe in that sense it’s a little weird but I wouldn’t call it “full of misandry”.

[@joshy8889]

Tbh.. I find it’s about toxic masculinity.. and the vision of women from a man’s point of view… she is blamed for men’s vision of her… she is tormented by by her husband blaming her for his death… men are initially acting different to her but then all become one of the same…. Leaving her to allow actions by them that she shouldn’t… followed by the nudist and then her being called crazy for being worried and out him….from listening to a lot of women it feels like this is a woman being outwardly tormented by issues they deal with privately… blamed for others actions… viewed as baby makers and sexual beings with no consent…. Having emotions and opinions that are deemed crazy but are actually just opinions and emotions..

[@Adityashrivastava27101992]

One big old age adage " all men are same" describes this movie perfectly

[@jonathanmeinzer1026]

In my opinion I thought that every guy that was played by the same actor was personality traits of the husband James, that’s why he appeared in the end.

[@MovieFiles]

Appreciate you sharing your thoughts Jonathan

[@DeathBySwaggar]

So wait, who was the scream from when Harper comes out of the pub? I’ve been questioning that part too

[@YourTrustyHonkey9716]

This is actually a very good break down, i saw it once last night, i thought the forshadowing was a bit overbering and repetitious. And some scenes go on way to long. Still glad it exists we need weird bold stuff in the world.

[@MovieFiles]

Appreciate you sharing your thoughts John.

[@lea9977]

There are several a A24 films I’ve seen and enjoyed because the storyline was so different, that now I’m guilty of watching any A24 film that comes out without knowing any idea what the film is about. One thing is true, the imagery is not for the faint of heart!

[@keepgoing7533]

It needed some kind of warning in the opening credits. I need a cleanse now.

[@SpoilerForcePodcast]

Great breakdown. But I’m still not impressed with Garland’s latest film. There was so much going on towards the end I think it takes away from what Garland was trying to portray.

[@MovieFiles]

Yeah I ranked it as my least favorite in my spoiler free Review but I still applaud the risky decisions he made in the film. Appreciate you watching my breakdown!

[@boggers]

Good to see I'm not the only one. I'm curious what you thought it was he was trying to portray? I love Garland's other stuff, it's always thought provoking, but for me Men just provoked confusion. It seemed as though it was a take on some well known mythical woodland faerie creature, but because I had no prior knowledge of said creature going in, I simply didn't "get" the film at all.

[@jamieleethomas1234]

I just had a brainwave. In the breakup scene, James walks in on Harper messaging her friend and becomes curious. Now, he steals the phone from her hands and it disturbed by the info he finds. James (Man) takes the phone (Apple brand/apple fruit) from her hands and is burdened by the unlocked knowledge. Just a thought. And the apple logo itself is a bitten apple which signifies the fall of man.

[@MFLimited]

Wow! Excellent analysis. You have come so far

[@davidking4838]

Can you guess Harper's least favorite song?..........It's Raining Men.....hee, hee 🤣🤣🤣

[@rika7625]

I saw it and it was hilarious! The people in the theater were into it too. Felt like my whole fam was with me😂 I see why you said it is a crowd pleaser.

[@americanjedi31]

This was an attempt to make Mother (movie)

[@elluchadork]

This movie felt like all the things women complain about men doing. That’s why all the men where the same actor as I felt it was to show that all men are the same. No matter who she ran into in the town they all wanted to have sex with her. The ending to me was an example of what men truly want which is the power to give birth. Men hold ever lever of power in society except the ability to create life and not having that power drives them mad. I also think it shows that men having kids on their own without a women may be doomed to raising the same monster. Garland made a horror movie about the things women go through and deal with on a daily basis.

[@stephaniel7002]

Her husband was such a colossal asshole. Not only was he trying to emotionally blackmail her into staying with him and trying to guilt her for not loving him anymore, he wouldn't let her have any emotions of her own. Every time she said that she felt something (scared, pleading, etc.) he would say "No! You aren't allowed to be scared because I'M scared! If I'm feeling scared then you aren't allowed to feel scared, because it's MINE! Only I get to be scared!" She tries telling him that she has a life too, and her life matters, she's not just some empty vessel that should do whatever makes him happy, but that's how he sees her. The idea that she's having a feeling of her own is offensive to him. I think he slipped and it served him right. I think he wouldn't accept that she had the right to lock him out after he assaulted her. He had to get back into their apartment. He couldn't let her have the power to keep him out. I don't think he had any real intention of killing himself, I think that was just a tactic to manipulate Harper. His face while he fell looked shocked and afraid, not angry and righteous. It wasn't "I told you so!" it was "Oh shit fuck I was totally bluffing!"

[@MovieFiles]

Appreciate you sharing your thoughts

[@alondratorres9208]

I'm glad you said this. I'm tired of all the people here saying "she killed him." I WISH SHE DID.

[@stephaniel7002]

@@alondratorres9208 Jesus, people actually said that? They realize that's what the Vicar said and he is intentionally the most revolting character in the movie? She owed him nothing. His manipulation and selfishness were staggering. He literally didn't even see her as a person. Why do they think she screamed "I have a life too!"? Because he didn't understand that. He literally did not understand that she could have emotions and needs, all he understood was how he felt and that, in his opinion, she was to blame.

[@brisher]

Every time I hear green man in this video, I'm thinking about Charlie wearing his green man suit in Always Sunny in Philadelphia

[@josepheebarb]

One of the most fuckin insane endings I've ever seen in a movie

[@toadies93]

Great breakdown. Left the theater with my head spinning

[@MovieFiles]

Appreciate it and I was the same way after

[@levlev25]

Honestly first hour scared me but the rest is just confusing. I get thats maybe the point of the film but I’m sure most people are also annoyed

[@FloggingMicah]

Thanks for the breakdown, love the vid and loved the movie. Subbed!

[@MovieFiles]

Thank you and glad you enjoyed the film and more importantly, welcome to the community!

[@musicmann1967]

WHile in the moment while watching the fim I kept thinking that it was really just a waking nightmare more than anything else. In the third act I did realize that the Green Man was giving birth the exact same iteration of the man, over and over again (right down the the injured right ankle) and that had a point to it also. But I wasn't really familiar enough with Green Man lore so I assumed I was missing something. I realized that Harper was rejecting all that these men (who basically seem all the same to her) and her husband were laying on her. But I didn't undestand much more than that. The ending with her friend showing up in real life seemed to squash the idea that this was all in her head. I didn't get the significance of Riley being pregnant, but your analysis is as good as any for me. I liked the movie and thought of it more as an experirntial film than an intellectual one like Gralaand's previous movies. But I think the majority, if not all, of your analysis is probably right on. Thanks, I needed that!! Haha!

[@MovieFiles]

Appreciate you sharing your thoughts Larry and for watching my video.

[@lukeGGlee]

man I haven’t been freaked out and legitimately creeped out freaked out in a long time by a movie

[@thelivingjed9676]

I've seen some people compare it to Darren Aronofsky's mother!, but I think it has a lot more in common with Roman Polanski's Repulsion.

[@ericool007]

The best thing about this movie was the knife through the arm, I was thinking this might be the greatest horror scene ever, the movie itself was ok

[@MrAquamarine000]

In Dante's inferno the way they punish People that kill themselves is by turning them into trees and letting animals and insects hurt and destroy them over and over. So maybe that was also the reference of the green man 🤔

[@baselord2319]

Everyone says that the naked man followed her out of the woods but when you look closely, whoever was following her had some sort of jacket on. It was flowing while he ran. Could have been Jeffrey 👀

[@MovieFiles]

Interesting 🤔

[@brucewillisovich5499]

Great analysis! And I salute you for refraining to mention Old Gregg even once, sir!

[@MovieFiles]

Appreciate it

[@HelenaGLongbottom53]

Just finished watching and sat there for awhile after processing what I have watched! It’s so disturbing but amazingly interesting. When my ex partner saw the trailer he said he felt physically sick but I just had to watch it!! Amazing for horror fans

[@SergiuNw]

I think those people haunting her, were just her next partners after his ex husband died. She didn't feel anything for anyone, cuz she regretted so much leaving his husband and idk if his husband really died. It could just be him in the end coming for another chance, but she got over it and didn't take him back, therefore staying alone. She didn't feel anything for men anymore, after her marriage. It's just my theory though.

[@MasonMcLeodFilms]

Ah yes, her next partners, including a teenage boy and an an elderly vicar🙄

[@stevieboy6286]

Just finished watching it. Very well made and acted but I'm not going to even attempt to explain the ending. There's a pub near me called The Green Man and is over 500 years old

[@bobbyboi352]

I went in to the movie expecting a simple horror film what I got was a good movie explaining men giving birth to men and I am still left here thinking wtf

[@MovieFiles]

Lol yeah a lot going on with this film in a good way

[@bobbyboi352]

@@MovieFiles your right on that one

[@davidwilliamson5406]

Put in one sentence, “men” is about the effect a man in a woman’s life has on their perception and later interactions with all other men.

[@khadeejataylor2475]

Why would she lie about not being able to play the piano ? Honestly thought she was on some acid trip in the third act just living through her trauma in some wicked psychedelic trip

[@thepeckhampoet1909]

Great analysis. Was a very interesting but disturbing movie. I immediately started thinking about Adam and eve when seeing her eat the apple and believe that's when her illusions and grief started to huant her, I believe that was a starting point somehow and has a deeper meaning perhaps. Still trying to figure out why she lied about playing the piano or if she was hallucinating the other men through the improvements of grief. I believe she may of drove the car into the wall herself perhaps, but the blood trials at the ending scene throws me off that theory. Still many questions un answered in my head, let's face it thats why we enjoy these type of movies. Puzzled and baffled is a great way to leave a cinema 8n my opinion, nothing worse then a movie you could write yourself.

[@bonegi1215]

To be honest, I don't know what to make of this film; what message does it want to portray.. etc... But the scare scenes are very effective. Weird, but effective. Especially the scene of "rebirth" on the third act. When it was brought out that all the male characters in the movie are one (to be honest, I didn't even notice it, or at some point I did, but I just shrugged it off), I had a feeling of him forcing himself to the woman. Not until the last bit, wherein it came out as his dead husband wanting love -- I thought of the "rebirth" act as figure of men trying to change himself but ultimately ending up just the same. At that point, I saw the woman turned from being scared to completely being annoyed and dismissive, regardless of how she sees the man painfully struggles to "renew" himself. I interpreted it as -- even if woman sees a man's struggle to change himself, she will always be fixated on the hate that she once felt with that man and will always be dismissive on how hard he tries to win her. That's how I got the message of the movie. But still got a lot of question, like what's with the tree transformation, and the stone face figure.. etc... That's why I searched on it upon viewing it. So thank you for sharing your perspective on the meaning of the movie. That was a good explanation. More power to you and your channel. Subd.

[@snappyloop7489]

for real

[@jmurr1924]

Just finished this film! My theory…(sorry so long) 1) the title “Men” refers to a species that has dominated earth. As a woman, she holds the keys to life on earth, but even that can be overcome. The men stalking her just started to manifest on their own when she wouldn’t submit. Also, obvious “Adam and Eve” and “Forbidden Fruit” references. Eve (woman) convinced Adam (man) to sin first, but history shows that doesn’t trump the men asserting (and even demanding) woman subordination. We see her first lover even resorts to threatening suicide to get her to follow his demands 2) this woman, though she took control and demanded her lover leave, has had her life dominated by men. I’m imagining each of the male visions refer to men in her life who took advantage if her (and in my theory, succeeded in may instances). A) The boy baiting her to hide and seek to take advantage B) the priest using the clergy to take advantage C) the caretaker using the immaculate house to take advantage…etc. In the end, she wanted to leave the man who (not passing this as OK) hit her, labeling him as a bad guy when in reality, he’s probably the best guy she had an interaction with. The “man” manifests into all the terrible versions, and eventually becomes the original man she left. I think the “entity” or vision manifested into all the terrible males she’s had relationships/interactions with in a “metamorphosis” type of way. If you look back, that bloody morphing just re-spawned all the pieces of shit. Starting with Adam, the creepy masked boy wanting to play hide and seek, the priest, the caretaker, the cop, etc.) The final manifestation was her lover. The one she pushed away. She realized he wasn’t that bad but was pushed away from all her trauma. She fought the whole film, but sat by him with an Axe in hand realizing he was far more worth keeping than any other man in her life. Could have struck him down and didn’t …just my thoughts. Sorry so long.

[@StarMW]

The ending of this movie felt like I was watching KZbin kids…

[@MovieFiles]

What version of KZbin kids you watching 👀 because that ending was not for kids.

[@MartinTedder]

The story can't be seen in the traditional way of a story. There are loops in logic that a lot of people try to explain away by setting symbolism around every corner. This isn't a story we're watching.... There isn't any sense in what is happening. We're not watching what is happening to this woman, this is an abstract piece of art given to us by the director, writer and amazing actors.

[@erikafirst817]

This movie actually had me thinking and I usually figure out most movies, but this one was so weird .I thought it was a spin off from the movies called old people or an ailian movie or a moviee about a Forrest God that fell in love with her singing. Not a bad movie.