MEN - A Grotesque and Entirely Necessary Nightmare (Analysis)

[@thefakecritic1377]

To clarify: At 9:20, I made a point about the stained glass window depicting Christ and the Four Saints, and that lining up with the exact number of men in the film *working to assert this patriarchal control. This was a TERRIBLE way to word what I meant, which was: this is a depiction of the men who have a direct impact on Harper: Geoffrey, Samuel, James (dead center), The Priest and The Green Man. I cut out a near 5 minute-long exploration of every man having the same face, with the exception of James, where I directly engaged with what I meant, and that's a part of why it's worded this way in the final video. My apologies for any confusion. Thanks for watching!

[@thezenarcher]

Would have loved to hear your thoughts on every man having the same face. Any chance we could hear the gist?

[@sweetwonkahallelujah7016]

I’m trying to figure out why 2 of the dudes had green eyes and why did they have the friend pregnant at the end…what was the symbolism of that?? That Men are only good for making babies??

[@thezenarcher]

@@sweetwonkahallelujah7016 I think it represents the way the cycle of abuse from toxic masculinity is "reproduced" in each new generation of men/victims

[@watamatafoyu]

It's easy to take many scenes as meaning the movie is pushing a man-hating message, but it's completely subjective to her perspective and experiences and cynical thoughts. When I saw the scene of her screaming in the bathtub, I realized the movie was her suicidal death dream.

[@watamatafoyu]

@@sweetwonkahallelujah7016 I don't remember the green eyes thing, but the man birthing himself at the end was him saying "I'm changed baby, I'll do better, I'm a new man" over and over, but not being able to escape his rebirthing until he trapped her and forced her to accept his professed idealistic love of her, which she saw as his way of trying to possess her.

[@spikenw10]

I was the props trainee for this film, i watched the script unroll over the 4 months of filming, it was so exiting to see when it came out, definitely one of Alex garlands most questionable movies, was great fun to be in the British Cotswolds, nearly every prop you see was moved and placed by me and my props team.

[@nicorako]

Very cool. Being that close to the filming process, do you have some insider info about things the analysis possibly missed?

[@laurenschmitt451]

Wow that's so neat!! Great work :)

[@brendawiesner4601]

Nice work!

[@Collectionretro2000]

Are you hiring? I’m looking for a possible way to get into the film industry

[@charliebrown9489]

Who phukn CARESSS!!!!!?!! lol smh

[@racingspoon]

The tunnel scene is fantastic filmmaking. The shot framing and cinematography is beautiful but the underlying tension and the way it is allowed to build is almost too much to bear. Terrific.

[@catherinecalder3896]

It is a terrific film.

[@ubermagoo]

This is the only review I have found that actually spent the time to research and analyze. There is more nuance to this film than "men bad". Subscribed.

[@thefakecritic1377]

Thank you so much!

[@laurenschmitt451]

Same!

[@danielbrewster5362]

Ditto. Excellent review. The Fake Critic is going to need a new KZbin handle! He’s the real thing.

[@MetalGearsOfThought]

@@danielbrewster5362 this is where we find out that it was written by ChatGPT. :p

[@waynedurning8717]

There is more nuance I agree. But you do have to consider the political climate. I mean just look at some of (many of) the comments to this video. How many down with the patriarchy comments. As much as I loved the movie and tried to appreciate it on its own I couldn’t help but grit my teeth at times knowing it was going to be held up by feminist as more evidence of the problem of men. I have no problem exploring the problem of men but most feminists (by which I mean all feminists) don’t acknowledge the problem of women. If only they were in charge, they think. How great everything would be. Garbage.

[@horrornoise4477]

Just finished this flick and the first thing I did, was look up everyone else's interpretation of it. Your's is by far the most insightful and articulate mate. Fantastic film and a impeccable summary.

[@EmyN]

Ditto

[@kentcampbell122]

This might be about as perfect as a movie analyst can get. The fact you present it at an almost rapid pace with no wasted words is the cherry on top. Great work man!

[@catherinecalder3896]

Jessie Buckley at her best.

[@tazandalsoalastname]

I just 1) watched this movie, 2) watched this video, 3) instantly subscribed, and 4) am about to go binge the rest of your content. I loved your sense of nuance and refusal to be an 'ending explained!' type of channel. As a huge body-horror fan, the...trying to avoid spoilers here, but the 'birthing scene' is now one of my favorite sequences of all time. I do think that the metaphors and themes of this film are quite bluntly applied, a la 'Mother!' (not a favorite of mine), but everything else about it is so gorgeous, especially the soundtrack. It also puts me in mind of this quote from Virginia Woolf: 'Women have served all these centuries as looking glasses possessing the magic and delicious power of reflecting the figure of man at twice its natural size'

[@NotIfICU1st_]

I don't think james committed suicide. If so generally he would have jumped and be facing away from Harper. He tried to climb down the balconies and fell facing Harper's window and their looks of horror met. So terrifying to see her husband falling to his death and also how far he would go to get to her after being locked out.

[@adriennevecellio8433]

I agree 100%. The look on his face showed how terrified he was, like he didn't mean to fall.😞

[@vanessamaillart7208]

I agree, but what truly matters in the story is the way he tries to manipulate Harper by blackmailing her in order to win her back. In my opinion, that's what Garland wanted to focus on. The emotional and physical violence he puts Harper through.

[@beccasharpe6350]

I personally saw it as a last act of manipulation on his part. I interpreted it as him committing suicide but positioning himself in such a way that he would be able to look at her whilst he did so. I think he wanted to see her pain in his final moments and know that he achieved what he set out to do

[@birizana3779]

I agree! People who manipulate other people with suicide they often don’t wanna do this. Is just a manipulative habit

[@Sea_witch_]

Whether he wanted to do it or not, it really gets me thinking about the lengths he was going through to get to her, in such an aggressive, impulsive rage moment. It's scary to think what would've happened if he went inside again. She was mad as well, could've ended equally unfortunate. But I do have to say, I think he did want to jump, from their previous argument flashbacks she has, when he says he wants to **** himself because of the divorce talk. He was manipulating, and manipulation with no end can go so wrong.

[@ZsiZsiSzabad]

As a film student who found this film exceptionally brilliant, I thoroughly enjoyed your review. You articulated concepts I had floating about but hadn’t found the words for, and brought to light some things I’d not considered. I am subscribing and will be following your future reviews with great anticipation and expectations. Cheers 🍻

[@thefakecritic1377]

Thank you so much!

[@erymano467]

Men is so inspiring and original. That's sometin' to see this immersive experience in theaters. I'm glad I see it in theaters !

[@miked4309]

his movies are amazing. Ex Machina is my favorite. i really liked Annihilation too. this one was worth the watch. it was like watching someones nightmare. i have weird nightmares similar to this. running away. prevailing. running away. being chased. running into dead ends and climbing out...finding more dead ends. trying to call people...getting in cars and drving away.

[@ZsiZsiSzabad]

@@miked4309 I had the same thought watching this! it very much reminded me of a nightmare. Where you defeat something and it keeps coming back, you’re trapped in a what feels like a repeat situation where things only change slightly, etc

[@miked4309]

@@ZsiZsiSzabad i totally think its her repeating nightmares. her brain trying to deal with the trauma thru dreams. all the "characters" in the dream turn out to be her husband. when that i happened i was like "finally". thats the cause of her nightmares. so did she go to this place and have an accident with her car and called her friend? i feel like the other calls to her friend were in dreams.

[@yumnajaffar1442]

i loved the symbolism in this movie, also the way you narrate your videos is so beautiful! it's so melodic and subtle and well-written! it honestly makes your videos seem like such a work of art, the care you put into them definitely comes through!

[@thefakecritic1377]

Thank you so much 🖤

[@lauramason4403]

Just watched Men and although I thoroughly enjoyed it, I'm afraid to admit that I was a tad lost by the end. Your review definitely filled in the gaps for me and explained a lot of things that I struggled to grasp during my first watch. It's safe to say that your review has made me like this film even more. Definitely subscribing as I would love to check out the rest of your channel.

[@theSSHITT]

There is a book called, "The red tent" about when women were exiled once a month during the time of their menstruation to the outskirts of the city walls. The red lighting might be referencing that belief set and practice.

[@nuclearlo0ve]

Ahhhh yes!

[@elongatedmanforever1252]

Smh I don't believe that, that just Sounds like victimhood.

[@cashmonwy8058]

@@elongatedmanforever1252 well its a book xD

[@elongatedmanforever1252]

@@cashmonwy8058 Probably made by a feminist.

[@elongatedmanforever1252]

@@cashmonwy8058 Sounds like feminists made it.

[@James-tv7kt]

I just saw this review and, I gotta say, I think you're a real one. A "grotesque nightmare worth having" puts it so perfectly well. Tyvm!

[@thefakecritic1377]

Thank you!

[@pegacorn13]

Finally someone who appreciated this film as much as I did! What an excellent analysis and review! "Men" has received so many negative reviews that I was starting to get incredibly irritated. It's difficult to convey how much I loved this movie and everything it had to offer. One of the foremost critiques is that it was too "obvious" and that we don't need to see any more commentary about the Patriarchy and its continued rebirth from generation to generation but that is one of the reasons I found it so powerful. This film may be "obvious" but as you have discussed, it's so incredibly rich in symbolism and metaphor and more importantly "entirely necessary". Plus, where else can you find a gorgeously filmed arthouse movie mixed with Cronenberg-esque body horror? One of the things that struck me is how repetitive the ending became. As every birth becomes more and more grotesque, Harper's reaction to it becomes less and less reactionary. It almost becomes boring to her by the end and I thought that this was absolutely brilliant. The sheer disgust becomes less shocking as she works through her trauma and guilt to realize that she is not the cause of her husband's death and she is not the cause of her own abuse. For those who found the ending disappointing or uncathartic, I say that this is exactly the point and if one can't see how clever this was, I say watch it again! I don't need to see Harper becoming more and more frantic. I don't need to see her chopping her husband to bits at the end. I saw exactly what I needed to see. I'd dare say that tis is my favorite Alex Garland film to date and that's in no way dismissing his previous work because I pretty much love all of it. "Men" works so well on a personal level as well as a historical, societal and religious exploration and I loved every single second of it.....

[@lebonheur10100]

BRAVO

[@ghostinthegraveyard]

right?? to have that deep inherited ennui captured and cast onto an audience who wants More as much as women do, and to have to dwell in the familiar (or foreign, pending your perspective) feeling of boring and predictable inevitability that wears endless visages to glamour its vacuous blandness is a fitting finale.

[@neburarieiv]

it was so fucking boring

[@alittlebitofjessica]

I’ve been lukewarm about this film, as it felt like it was too artsy for its own sake without having anything new to say in any exciting ways. Movies like Promising Young Woman was far more effective. But after reading your comment, I will give it another viewing, maybe I missed something crucial.

[@miked4309]

its like garland made a movie of a nightmare. the sequences were very dream like. not making sense, fantastic places you've never been, running away from things, prevailing but still running and being chased.

[@mirelaelisabetamihai1007]

The stigmata detail!You earned a subscriber!This is sooo well done.

[@thegoblonoid]

The last part of this movie is pure nightmarish art. Few films make me feel something like this. It was like a car crash that I couldn't look away from, and I also laughed at the absurdity. Incredible!

[@ironsoul80]

This is doodoo the film is the message of the antichrist you don't need god revolt against order but there is another message in reverse stop chasing lust and gratification through women it leads to destruction they don't love you seek out Christ and salvation the end is near

[@stevenlyon9081]

You are so good at what you do. This is exactly what I was looking for. The metaphor is in plain sight the whole time, but you pointed out all the things that weren’t as obvious. Great job thank you for this😍

[@Fyctiongal]

I couldn’t agree more that in this age of production line product this film is a memorable and rich work of art.

[@wombat989]

So glad I found your channel. Your dissections and analyses are a cut above a lot of others on KZbin. Keep up the good work, I'll be sure to keep watching.

[@youshmoob]

Fantastic analysis. Thank you for taking the time to do this. Loved this film and your analysis just broadened my appreciation for it.

[@CulainRuledByVenus]

8:52 The best Green Man and Sheela na gig explanations are given with broad historical context in Fulcanelli's "The Mystery of the Cathedrals". 10:17 Yeats was involved with a few occult societies of his day, and I think Garland knew this, choosing the reference for this reason as well as that you mentioned. Thank you for this. It's a breath of fresh air. Edit: I meant to also mention the recent film The Green Knight, which deals with the same figure in a way that also understands the source material.

[@jmurr1924]

You might be the GOAT. You sound like a fella we could talk and unpack film for hours. Well done!

[@MimejrRuiz]

This video is so refreshing! All people have had to say about this movie is that it’s a failure and it’s down right embarrassing. I’m glad you actually took the time to break down metaphor and took a nuanced approach to analyzing the film

[@ultimadei7604]

This channel is criminally underappreciated. Great thematic analysis :)

[@lowhyphenkey]

Absolutely loved this analysis. Watched "Men" last night and LOVED it. Alex Garland is easily my favorite director, and was again amazed at this work. Again, loved your video, and thank you for making it.

[@jasmink7231]

i really appreciate your analysis, this is a quality video essay. the symbolism in the film truly is extensive, very interesting. you perfectly articulated the thoughts i had while watching and also provided the needed background information i didn’t have, thanks :)

[@thefakecritic1377]

Thank you so much!

[@SpacePig-u3m]

I passed on this many many times due to the negativity but I finally picked the bluray up and have just finished watching it and was absolutely blown away. A hidden gem if ever their was one. An excellent film, top tier art.

[@asalane20]

Thank you for taking this film seriously. It has so much to offer, though a large portion of the viewing audience would swiftly dismiss it simply because of the boldness of its title and social/ religious critiques.

[@rosehein7207]

This is an incredibly thoughtful analysis of the film. Thank you for providing your perspective. It added to our experience!

[@pattybatters2816]

I don't know if you're still active but I really love the efficiency of your writing and the purposeful editing you were doing here. You're well researched, deep thinking and really digging into stuff here and I am starving for content as high quality as yours.

[@wilhelmpaulm]

This movie was good and traumatic. As a man myself, I know so many men who can't take it when they're called out, this was so refreshing. Her being scared to being over it at the end is so good.

[@alalmalal]

Tbf i don’t know anyone male or female who can take being “called out” but men more often take it to physical extremes. The threatening suicide thing is more of a human toxicity thing than masculine toxicity. Happens a LOT with jilted girlfriends. But men are more likely to actually go through with it and cause infinite trauma while blaming others for their actions.

[@11oang]

This is by far the best review and analysis of this film that ive seen. Furthermore, this is one of the best analysis of any film ive ever seen period. Subscribed cause it was sick, will slowly check out your other videos. Good stuff 👏

[@christiananderson4909]

It really shocked me how many of my liberal male friends were instantly triggered by the trailer for this film when it came out. I don't get it. It's not like the subject of patriarchy is a dead issue, especially in the states.

[@WobblesandBean]

I'm not shocked at all. If anything, it's the response I expected from that demographic.

[@christiananderson4909]

@@WobblesandBean I expected the pushback to come from more of a politically conservative contingent of men.

[@christiananderson4909]

@@brucewaite3733 Most people, men and women are all for legal, term limited abortion. All polls have borne that out for literally decades, now. There's no way you could possibly be simply ignorant of the fact that this issue has always been front and center in the laundry list of ultra right wing conservative campaign talking points. Also, the SCOTUS was famously stacked with conservative justices under Trump's administration. These aren't coincidences, Bruce. Not to mention, the issue at the heart of this is the loss of bodily autonomy for women, the smothering of which has *always* been a patriarchal issue. Always. Period.

[@lloydtxw]

Read some more comments. There are soooo many that are in fully triggered denial after seeing it. I read one guy giving an eight paragraph explanation of why the female character is schizophrenic. It almost feels like the movie was an attempt to spoon feed misogyny to cis men but it failed spectacularly. Most of them are entirely too fragile. Which I guess just reinforces many of the themes in the film.

[@mistressofstones]

@@lloydtxw I saw some comments like that. It was too much for them to take, poor babies. But this movie isn't for them I don't think, I think it is for us. And I feel seen by a man who is one of my favorite writer/ directors and that is amazing in itself. It's a weird grotesque gift :)

[@moshimoshii377]

thank you for sharing your vision! I heard about this movie only once and now after watching your video I'll definitely give it a watch 🌼

[@thefakecritic1377]

Thanks for watching! I really appreciate it 😊

[@rageagainstmyhairline5574]

The knowledge you have has allowed you to enjoy this film on a level I could not, and I enjoyed this video. In my ignorance of religious scripture, I simply saw this film as an allegory that even the most seemingly benevolent masculinity can eventually give birth to the most malevolent kind; and specifically that the man that James was didn't just come out of the womb that way, that the different levels of toxic masculinity prevalent everywhere, and found at different levels in every man, eventually influenced him to the point that he was who he was because of those influences, and had little control over them. Then, along with the abuse she has to suffer at his hands, the horrendous, ambiguous act enacted upon the woman at the centre of it, affects and torments her deeply and wholly, forever, causing men in general to be 'all the same', identifiable only by the level of grotesqueness they exhibit. My take, I suppose, is not a hopeful one. That the perversion of happiness can be so omnipresent due to one isolatable factor is disquieting to say the least, but I am a pessimist and I accept that my outlook can skew objectivity into subjectivity imperceptibly, to me, at least. I am, at least, open-minded enough to accept that I am hardly ever right, and taking in the differing views of as many people as I can handle often leads to a more acceptable and satisfying resolution. I value yours, and I'll remember it.

[@MohamedRamadan-qi4hl]

The guy that wrote this doesn't know anything about Abrahamic theology the willingness to die for something greater is VERY DIFFERENT from the desire to die. Jesus wasn't being suicidal. Else you might as well say that all the soldiers who were willing to die {and did die} for their countries and suicidal

[@thefakecritic1377]

Congratulations, you've missed the entire point of my religious critique. It's actually impressive to miss everything about a point, but you did it. Cheers!

[@rageagainstmyhairline5574]

@@thefakecritic1377 Wow. I honestly didn't expect such an incredibly arrogant and rude reply. I'm surprised, for such an apparently intellectual guy, that you're this crass. Good bye.

[@AnthonyAvon]

The last line really made the movie clear for me. "Your love." James is God, the top of the patriarchy. Threatens hell and violence, sacrifices himself to himself to forgive you for wanting freedom, and at the end of it all, God wants you to love him.

[@Chronischer_Innenbahn-Laeufer]

Makes sense, especially since in his earlier Film Ex Machina one of the Main characters was also clearly a representation of god

[@Blargle42069]

Yea I can see this. Call me sacrilegious if you’d like, but the idea of god being cruel and abusive but still wanting you to love him feels well…..accurate.

[@lilchaos4792]

Correct

[@poisonedlava]

Excellent analysis! Really seems like you did your research. I had thoughts about the movie, but I wanted to watch an explanation to help me crystalize them and your video was the first I found that really dived in without making superficial claims. Can't wait to see what you do next!

[@dilznick101]

Great analysis! So much is open to interpretation in the film. I found your take to be very thought provoking. Best comment section as well for me

[@Mindyzzzzz]

Tbh I felt the main character on a personal level. I love the use of color and her swap from pants to a pink dress.

[@jahipalmer8782]

I am simply jealous of your ability to get something from this movie. I watched it and spent days trying to find an analysis that felt like I wasn't just making stuff up and the best I came up with was the most literal reading possible.

[@roarickshu]

Man, I love your videos and hope you do more soon.

[@victory_jade]

Fantastic analysis, you touched on a number of things I hadn't even considered. The connection between red, the name James and the KJV was particularly enlightening. Thanks for the video!

[@saskiar.7395]

Finally a sensible, intellectual review of this brilliant movie and not just a pick-me or toxic dudebro going on about how the movie was "toO wOkE"

[@bencarlson4300]

The visual and auditory beauty of this film is phenomenal, I just honestly wish I got what everyone here seems to have gotten from this. The second she picked the apple in the garden I just thought “oh, I feel like I’ve seen everything I need to see to understand this movie”, and that still hasn’t changed for me. Looking forward to whatever Garland makes next, though, this film was nothing if not original.

[@williamjones9787]

I just saw the movie last night and after the movie I was thinking back to the tunnel scene with her singing/echoes. I wondered if that tunnel symbolized the Sheela na gig's oversized vulva possibly? I also thought singing could have been a "celebration" of women's fertility. Harper was going to be there for two weeks so possibly her cycle was beginning, thus attracting the men even further? The shot of the tunnel reflecting on the water in the tunnel formed a circular shape looked like an egg (to me). Also added to that the foyer is red with a door that the men don't want her to have closed and are always trying to force their way into... I'm probably just over thinking things🤣

[@ghostinthegraveyard]

I think you’re probably not wrong in certain respects - I definitely read the tunnel scene as being a vibe of “ugh of course there’s some guy lurking at the threshold of a woman’s private moment and personal space, bashing his way into it without invitation” - it went from natural wonder to rapey dank space in a breath.. and yeah, I think a lot of people probably missed the beat during the house tour where he presses the “don’t flush feminine products - the septic system” note in almost an inquiring tone that complements your observations about the foyer and it’s implied/expected hospitality. the tenseness of knowing the mail slot was where it was when she was leaned up full bodied on the door to lock it shut was a visceral threat that gratifyingly compounded itself when that filthy jagged hand thrust itself shamelessly through like an Access Hollywood quotable

[@Chronischer_Innenbahn-Laeufer]

You are definitely not overthinking, Alex Garland has been proven to be genius with symbolism, plausible observations on your side

[@noodlepoodlegirl]

Brilliant. The more I read, the more symbolism there is AND I LOVE IT.

[@tablescissors]

@@ghostinthegraveyard AGPs

[@tarman245]

I just don't feel like her husband killed himself. I say this because they way he fell was inconsistent with how someone would jump to their death. Now I do see him forcing his way into the apartment above and try to climb down from their balcony to his and fall. The way he fell was like he was climbing down

[@broonbreed7193]

Bloody hell mate, great review. I haven't seen this yet but a lot of much bigger channels have dismissed it. Your breakdown and analysis is really considered and balanced, subbed!

[@kitspics526]

Truly appreciate your commentary and insights.

[@whiskeycreammedia]

Great channel and fantastic video. Well done!

[@falilaquie3383]

I think the Green-man & Sheela na gig are carved into a baptism bath - reinforcing the 'original sin' message. The Madonna is always depicted in red and blue in religious paintings, and those colours are so striking in the scene where she's in the kitchen set agains the red walls and blue crockery and curtains, even though she isn't dressed in these colours (suggesting she isn't the one set to birth or mother all the 'men'), the colours are so oppressive while the green scenes are intoxicating, euphoric and light. Besides all the religious connotations - it's an extraordinary film and is perhaps simply a story about escaping guilt, even if you know it's not yours to bear in the first place. Thank you The Fake Critic for your insight into this one!

[@Nirax3]

Nice video essay, you earned a sub! :) For me personally, Men was absolutely terrifying and though the symbolism helped to get a little bit of intellectualized distance, the emotional impact it had on me was a lot. Some, especially women, have criticized the movie for being too shallow and clichéd in its characterization of both the female protagonist and the male characters and I guess that's a problem that arises when you write characters that need to be abstract enough to work on a symbolic level in the cultural contexts you explained in your essay but still believable enough to make for an emotional experience. In that aspect, Men reminded me of Aronofsky's Mother!. A movie like this is not gonna work for everyone. Clearly it did for me (frankly much better than Mother!). I'd be very interested to see a woman's perspective on these themes, and I hope we're gonna get a similar film from a female writer director at some point. Still, I'm happy Garland made Men. I too prefer the intimate style over that of his other movies, although I really liked the blend of the 'digital alien sci-fi look' with the whimsical prismatic visions of nature in Annihilation. Anyway, looking forward to see what Garland is gonna do in the future and I really hope female filmmakers will get a chance to offer their vision of an artsy symbolic horror movie about patriarchy. If I missed something obvious, please feel free to make recommendations!

[@savannahp.9363]

Yes please do a video analysis of “Mother!” I’m obsessed with your succinct takes and need more! Thank you!

[@erinesplen3207]

I just watched the film last night and I needed time to let the experience wash over me. As a women I found this film deeply unsettling because so many experiences are familiar. I have not been through Harper's initial trauma, but what she experiences afterwards is all too familiar. After watching this analysis I want to watch the film again. Some of the symbolism was lost on me initially because frankly I was so terrified. I went to bed with a deep sense of unease.

[@Chronischer_Innenbahn-Laeufer]

The critics wanted to see another fleshed out predatory character and another fleshed out abused traumatized charakter, but Garland goes beyond. For what we see are No charakters at all, but representations of certain aspects of something greater - the predatory male nature. It is only by confronting them (as a ghost/mirroring of Her past, Her husband ending up beaten and powerless next to her on the coach) that harper overcomes them, and lets go of Her trauma. This Way the film ends up a lot less terrifying and realistic than it could have been, but for the benefit of an intellectuall treasure.

[@earthmeetsmoon]

Phenomenal writing / analysis.

[@maclunkeynut]

Nice analysis thanks for giving me greater insight... The letterbox scene and the symbolism.... I may be overthinking it.. He reaches out for her,...she hesitantly takes his hand... he then holds on to tight... she tries to Break Free.. he won't let go... she is forced to have to seriously hurt him to make him release... stab him... grudgingly he retracts in the most painful way... later he then takes the position to blame her for all the pain grotesque and what she has done...

[@jerryjanski551]

It was Elton who covered Leslie's song. She wrote it and recorded it first.

[@craibinator5]

It was interesting to hear you dig into the mythological and religious traditions this film is drawing on and informing the narrative. Men is definitely one that I will revisit soon to get more out of it. Personally on first watch, I found it engrossing and full of challenging ideas - it makes some BOLD choices - but ultimately at the end it seemed to arrive at the simplest, most obvious answer. Nonetheless, great work!

[@wintergirll]

Damn I could listen to you talk about this film for hours. Thanks so much!!

[@AwakeInNaptown]

Thank you for this! I'll admit it, I was lost by the end of the movie. Your breakdown of the themes was exactly what I needed to better appreciate this movie.

[@melyssa528]

Wow 😯 Just..Thank you! I’m a little late to the party but had to thank. I just watched the movie last night and today watched 5 other videos about this movie (some way longer than this) and yours was by far the best. I get it all now, any questions I had or things I missed..you nailed it. You def have another subscriber to your channel.

[@Kuyjac258]

Fantastic analysis. Just watched the film (at long last) and I think it’s going to stay with me for a very long time.

[@elichilton7031]

Outstanding analysis. Clear and thorough. Two thumbs up.

[@____GoMeZ____]

TY for this review. Just finished it over the weekend, actually an amazing film.

[@joelalex8087]

This is a great analysis. I sought this film out because I was a big fan of Garland. I also thinks there is great value in the subversion of the horror film expectations. It was terrifying and grotesque but not in a way that we typically experience horror (or at least large market horror). I think Garland does something amazing in this film and I deeply appreciated the ride, and this video great work. You just got a new subscriber!

[@Grace-vf4yw]

I love the structure of your video! It's beautiful and very well done. Thank you, for taking your time to analyse the film and showcase your research. Very enjoyable! I'll be looking out for more :)

[@thefakecritic1377]

Thank you so much!

[@ohthatdemoness6]

i love this take so much, please make more content!

[@GuamoKun]

Side note the scene where Harper is walking down the road and the starry night sky “melts” into the road is one of the most powerful shots I’ve ever seen in a theatre

[@GoryBMovie]

I really enjoyed your analysis. It helped me to appreciate to appreciate and understand the movie better!

[@thefakecritic1377]

Thank you for watching!

[@Papalovesmango]

Just watched this today, thought it was brilliant. Love your analysis 👌

[@NessNayii]

Hi Lee. I've just subscribed after watching this and a couple of your other analyses - very interesting content. I think you'd perhaps enjoy Luca Guadagnino's reinterpretation of Suspiria. It's one of the most under appreciated, misunderstood, and unjustly maligned pieces of work out there...and my favourite film! It's truly a subtextual onion with layer after layer of meaning, and for my money at least, also creates an intoxicating and immersive world that lingers inside me to this day.

[@basedrocky_2317]

Really loved this analysis of the film; where I did understand and was glad to see other videos gleaning the same meaning about the cyclical nature of toxic masculinity and patriarchy, I feel you articulated how this is /rooted/ and perpetuated by Christianity very well. Specifically that part about Lilith/Eve and how Harper comes to embody that, as well as the red lighting in the flashback with James, I completely didn't think about that at all! Very well done ! 🙏🏾

[@evalinez]

This is an amazing analysis. Thank you!

[@katecalloway5750]

Thank you for this review, I think this is an incredible film and I was really disappointed with the reactions to it, it’s a relief to read such an insightful reading.

[@Theoderich11]

The Ford Focus in the Movie had a very nice colour.

[@fmwoodcock]

You did a really great job here. Thanks for helping me understand what I saw.

[@vidsantoro]

Boy, you was cooking in this review

[@auntiecreeps1414]

This is the most interesting and intelligent review for this film I’ve seen. You’re the only one who seems to understand it and get all the crazy symbolism. I was totally bewildered by it myself but loved the imagery and performances.

[@royce25november]

This kind of makes me wanna watch it again. I thought it was so anticlimactic but maybe it is a masterful film

[@glitcharcing]

you have a really poetic way of speaking ☺️

[@hassanulbhuyan5471]

This movie makes you think and many people can interpret in so many ways. I loved it. The imagery.

[@nikkilately]

Happy I found this channel

[@bennygerow]

Just watched it and thoroughly enjoyed it! Thanks for the in depth review.

[@ghostinthegraveyard]

agree with a lot of your insights, and enjoyed finding a few layers I missed - thanks for taking the time to elevate others’ experience. oh also: strongly ended (endings can be a challenge and are often abdicated from or lazily abandoned; thanks for neither!)

[@R.GAFFNEY-k6n]

Love your work, Fake Critic. A beautifully felt and executed review and analysis of Alex Garland's film Men. Just wanted to point out - Leslie Duncan WROTE Love Song and Elton John covered it - not the other way round. One of those unconscious 'guy things' I guess.

[@DanteStyles]

Your analysis opened a new interpretation for me. I read this movie as more of a healing journey, Harper recognizing that she’s been attracting situations with men who are wounded in the same way because she’s been ‘singing’ (as you illuminated) consciously and unconsciously about her own unhealed wounds. These broken men hear the cry of a broken woman and hope to validate themselves by helping the ‘damsel in distress.’ Neither parties the wiser that their own wounds are what need be addressed. I see the shots being fired at ‘Christianity’, which is fair considering the mixing with paganism and general corruption that people give in to regularly, but in the same note I can dismiss it because that’s not in line with the character of Christ by any measure. Rather of the men who claim to be followers but instead follow their own lust. I mean that may well be the intent of the director to poke holes in Christianity with the layers of names, colors and symbolism etc, but as the title suggests, the real issue is men, that is to say humans, who seek someone to blame for their brokenness, rather than to own it and confront it within themselves.

[@jedlee2194]

Really good comment. You have some good thinking skills and I think it bridged the gaps in my own feelings about the film.

[@DanteStyles]

@@jedlee2194 I’m happy to hear that! Discussing a challenging film is part of the fun of watching it for me. It’s almost like interpreting a dream.

[@Sam_T2000]

this is a more interesting and thoughtful interpretation than the one I think was probably intended. sorry to say it, but I guess I’m one of _those men…_ the themes of “patriarchy bad” just make me want to roll my eyes. Rory Kinnear was great, but the choice to make all the characters the same kills any nuance it might have for me (unless they were all played by the actor who played the husband… that would’ve been interesting indeed). everything about this movie was great, especially the cinematography, but aside from the plot itself, sadly. I’d have liked for the main character to go on more of a journey, rather than just experience all the “micro-aggressions” or whatever, and take it all in-stride. better yet, I’d like a movie from Alex Garland where the broken man himself is the protagonist, and watch him fix himself, in some sci-fi/fantasy kind of way. also, what did Geoffrey do wrong, until his final appearance? he seemed like a really nice guy to me!

[@niamhcroneka8798]

I absolutely didn't see Harper singing about her wounds or "attracting situations with men" . Her singing in the tunnel was joyful and powerful and looked like an extremely healing experience for her. She didn't attract the man with her song, the man heard the sound and beauty of her freedom and wanted to destroy it . Harper didn't appear broken at any stage. Her husband tried to break her, going so far as to sacrifice himself to that end , but though she was certainly rattled by that trauma, she was very much taking control of her own healing when she tried to get away to nature and some peace, alone in the countryside . She remains self possessed and resolute throughout, despite her husband and a representative of the power of the church trying to drag her down, this besides all the other violence enacted upon her. The repetitive trauma was wholly on the side of the men, who's attempt to have full control results in the same grotesque wounds reproducing themselves. Also, the men's violence against her had nothing to do with "lust" . This is not what this kind of violence is about. Its about control and spiritual cowardice. Fascinating and depressing to that you could watch that film and see those things.

[@DanteStyles]

@@niamhcroneka8798 most broken people don’t ‘appear broken’ they put on a face do they best they can to move forward. She was on a healing journey as I stated, and this movie is highly metaphorical so all the events can be taken as literal or symbolic. I was presenting the symbolism I saw. I didn’t say the violence against her was lust, I said the perversion of the church is. Maybe it wasn’t clear in what I wrote, but I believe part of her healing was recognizing the role she plays in her suffering. The same guy played every man in the town, is that because she stumbled into a magical town where everyone was that guy or is it a metaphor to show that the men around her have the same spirit, the same wound, the same brokenness as her late husband? It’s open to interpretation which is why we make these videos and discuss them together. When I say attract I’m not saying that she deliberately tried to get their attention, I’m saying you attract what you are. She was not yet healed, so it stands to reason that she would attract men who are similarly unhealed. Does that make more sense?

[@CelestialDung]

Watched the movie a few days ago and I'm still playing the soundtrack to sleep at night. I've heard and read some analysis of this movie but yours was the only one that gave the right amount of interpretation and the right amount of audience wonder. For instance, you gave us your thoughts on red but were wise enough to leave green to our own devices.

[@Jester123ish]

Personally i didn't see a single patriarchy in this movie, the men are not men, they represent aspects of men, not as archetypes, but in terms of how they interact with her.

[@Travis_Tt]

absolutely fantastic review

[@MetalGearsOfThought]

Nice breakdown. It was refreshing to see a review that wasn't childishly dismissive or defensive, and I wish (other) KZbin reviewers wouldn't review movies when they have zero insight or maturity, and are clearly confused by anything that's longer and deeper than a TooTurntTony TikTok. Enjoyed your perspective. I found this movie confronting and challenging to watch from every gender perspective, and I'm glad I finally watched it.

[@domepiece11]

Just FYI, in the church, that is a baptismal font. And I think that was a very definite choice, so there is meaning behind it.

[@killerbites6501]

I love this breakdown, really insightful.

[@theworldneedsmorehippies]

This analysis is very well done!

[@MadamCuteToot]

This review was thoughtful and has brought forth further revelations of my own. Hands down it is my favorite Garland movie. Thank you for sharing your insight.

[@johnr5269]

Looking at your profile, looks like you haven't been active for about a year. Still, on the off chance, great video and great stuff. I will definitely check out your vids on the other movies I've seen.

[@samurisunrise]

Yes, exactly. Thank you. Happy I found this.

[@watamatafoyu]

The green man depictions make me think that they originated from someone seeing plants growing up through a man's corpse.

[@marinaalexandra6045]

Amazing thematic exploration. ❤

[@shaulcajas7376]

What a beautifully eloquent review. I just finished watching the movie. I think it’s in genius.

[@abominablemusic]

great review, great film. I watched this last night, so looking for other folks opinions of this film.

[@lawrencemakoare-z7p]

Excellent analysis!

[@degelle]

This man is no Fake Critic. His analysis seems pretty Real to me.

[@tomscf]

Excellent, insightful commentary and very much in line with how I viewed the film. As you alluded to, the ones who don’t get it or who expect it to work on it’s more literal and superficial level, are probably more like the male characters in the film than they would be capable of admitting to.