Alexander Korzuchowski

No spoiler review: Despite what the one star reviews say, you don't need to be a film analytic or be knowledgeable in mythology to understand and appreciate this film. The horror genre has never promised straightforward narratives, simple spooks or palatable content. I read several one star reviews emphasizing that the film was 'gross' rather than scary and that they regret bringing romantic partners or parents to the movie... Okay, and? It's horror, not a hallmark movie. You are most often intended to be left unsettled, be it a little or a lot. The takeaway should be that you do not respond well to body horror and move on, not that the movie was bad. Horror remains a contentious and divisive genre because it is a space for writers to challenge our comforts, expose our fears, and question our own humanity and morality. Some (many) people don't like that. Men (2022) checks off all three of the aforementioned elements. Whether you are a man or a woman, if you've endured relationship trauma or abuse (physical or emotional), you may find yourself relating to the protagonist, Harper, as she copes with her past trauma and navigates the present, where that trauma continues to haunt and taunt her (which is where the horror and supernatural elements come into play). Since trauma and abuse are major drivers for the plot, a warning should be given to people who still cope with these themselves. It can be a difficult watch, especially if your experience has been minimized by others (predominantly men). The blissful irony in reading many of the one star reviews is that the reviewers state that they did not understand the film and therefore it is worthy of being deemed bad or lacking validity. This exactly parallels Harper's experience, and that of many women I know. When their experiences are not understood, it is still intrinsic in society to then downplay those experiences and any resulting trauma, either treating their reactions as lacking validity, or placing blame on the trauma they endure onto them.