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Sci-fi horror film

Men (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Men (2022) movie poster

Men is a 2022 sci-fi horror film directed by Alex Garland, starring Jessie Buckley as Harper, Paapa Essiedu and Rory Kinnear. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes and earned $11.2 million worldwide on a $6.5 million budget. Critics gave it 69% on Rotten Tomatoes and 65 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10.

IMDb rating
6.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
69%
worldwide gross
$11.2M
Echo Score
63
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Men (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 40m (100 min)
Director
Alex Garland
Genres
Sci-Fi , Drama , Horror
Original language
English
Studio
A24
Budget
$6.5M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Men About?

The premise of Men without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Seeking refuge in the serene English countryside following a personal tragedy, Harper hopes to find peace. However, her respite is shattered as a sinister presence emerges from the surrounding woods. The unsettling force manifests in increasingly disturbing forms, confronting her with deeply buried fears and twisting her perception of reality into a terrifying and unforgettable experience.

Men Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • folk horror
  • green man
  • man gives birth
  • male nudity
  • house rental
  • home invasion
  • symbolism
  • pregnancy
  • spousal abuse
  • vicar
  • rural setting
  • countryside
+38 more
  • anglican priest
  • male frontal nudity
  • male full frontal nudity
  • woman in a bathtub
  • covered in blood
  • pub
  • apple tree
  • attempted rape
  • one word title
  • female protagonist
  • falling from height
  • apple
  • eating an apple
  • playing piano
  • nudity
  • outdoor nudity
  • country house
  • interracial marriage
  • threat to commit suicide
  • teenage boy
  • anger
  • kitchen knife
  • vagina
  • consecutive birthing
  • misogyny
  • male pubic hair
  • dandelion seed
  • hatchet
  • police officer
  • crying woman
  • dead body
  • written by director
  • cell phone
  • video call
  • flashback
  • echo
  • woods
  • 999 call
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Cast & crew

Men Cast & Characters

Jessie Buckley leads the cast as Harper, with Paapa Essiedu as James and Rory Kinnear as Geoffrey. Directed by Alex Garland; 4 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Alex Garland

More films directed by Alex Garland, best-rated first: Ex Machina, Civil War, Annihilation and Warfare.

Full filmography
Ratings

Men Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Men 69% on Rotten Tomatoes and 65 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 63/100, strongest in character & emotion (75) and weakest in story & flow (50).

63 /100

Men Echo Score Breakdown

Men presents a divisive viewing experience that swings between compelling visual ambition and uneven narrative execution. Critics and audiences alike acknowledge Alex Garland's striking direction and Jessie Buckley's powerful performance, yet many note a lack of cohesive storytelling and a final act that unsettles more than resolves. The film's atmospheric strengths are offset by perceived pretentiousness, resulting in a mixed but engaged response that rewards discussion despite its flaws.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 60

    In terms of art and craft, the film showcases a distinctive visual palette and hallucinatory atmosphere that many reviewers find striking. Critics highlight the verbose cinematography, while users note the beautifully shot, creepy aesthetic of the first half. However, the second half’s perceived pretentiousness and editing choices dilute the earlier impact, leading to a moderately positive appraisal of the technical execution.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to character and emotion, Jessie Buckley's performance anchors the film, earning consistent praise from both critics and users. Reviewers commend her nuanced portrayal of Harper, noting her emotional range and ability to sustain audience interest. Supporting actors receive mixed comments, yet the overall acting quality is viewed as the film's strongest element, resulting in a high character score.

  • Story & Flow 50

    Regarding story and flow, the narrative is described as fragmented and overly symbolic by many critics. The lack of a unifying central idea and a confusing final act are recurring criticisms. Users echo these concerns, citing the climax as disjointed and the pacing uneven. While the premise offers originality, the execution falls short of delivering a cohesive and engaging plot.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    In the sensory domain, the film's sound design and visual style receive appreciable remarks. Reviewers point to its unsettling soundscape and vivid, horror‑infused imagery that enhance tension. Although some users find the latter half’s sensory overload pretentious, the overall sensory experience is deemed effective and contributes positively to the film’s atmospheric goals.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    The rewatch factor is mixed, with critics noting the film's provocative themes that may invite repeat viewings, while others see limited replay value due to its divisive tone. Users who appreciate the discussion it provokes express interest in revisiting, yet many cite the confusing conclusion as a deterrent. Consequently, the film holds moderate lasting appeal.

Plot

Men Plot Summary

What happens in Men from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Following the tragic and seemingly suicidal death of her husband, James, Harper Marlowe decides to take a much-needed break in the serene village of Cotson, Herefordshire. Memories reveal that Harper had long been weary of James’s emotional torment, leading her to contemplate divorce. As tensions escalated, James made desperate threats of self-harm, culminating in an incident where he struck Harper in anger. Following this confrontation, she locked him out, only to witness his fatal plunge from their balcony, a gruesome fall leaving him partially impaled.

Full summary

The whole story of Men, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Men Box Office & Budget

Men grossed $11.2 million worldwide on a $6.5 million budget, 1.7 times what it cost. $7.6 million came from the US and Canada and $3.6 million (32%) from the rest of the world.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$11.2M

1.7× its budget

US & Canada
$7.6M
International
$3.6M
Budget
$6.5M
US & Canada 68% Rest of the world 32%
Videos

Men Trailers & Videos

11 videos: 2 trailers, 3 teasers, 3 clips and 3 featurettes.

All 11 videos
Official Teaser Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Teaser TV Spot
  • Teaser TV Spot
  • Teaser TV Spot
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Men?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the protagonist in 'Men'?

Cars

Cars in Men

2 cars on screen: the 2011 Ford Fiesta MkVI and the 2007 Nissan Qashqai.

  • 2011 Ford Fiesta MkVI in Men 2011 Ford Fiesta MkVI Important role
  • 2007 Nissan Qashqai in Men 2007 Nissan Qashqai Minor role

Seen Men?

FAQ

Men FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Men, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Men?

Men runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).

When was Men released?

Men was released on May 20, 2022.

Who directed Men?

Men was directed by Alex Garland.

More films by Alex Garland

Who is in the cast of Men?

Men stars Jessie Buckley as Harper, Paapa Essiedu as James and Rory Kinnear as Geoffrey, among 4 credited actors.

How much did Men make at the box office?

Men grossed $11.2 million worldwide ($7.6 million domestic, $3.6 million international) on a budget of $6.5 million.

How is Men rated?

Men has 6.0/10 on IMDb, 69% on Rotten Tomatoes, 65 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.

Does Men have a post-credit scene?

No. Men has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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