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Men (2022 film)

Men is a 2022 British surrealist folk horror film written and directed by Alex Garland.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Men is a 2022 British surrealist folk horror film written and directed by Alex Garland. The film stars Jessie Buckley as a woman who travels alone to the English countryside after a personal tragedy and becomes disturbed by the men in the village, all portrayed by Rory Kinnear. It was released in the United States on 20 May 2022 and in the United Kingdom on 1 June 2022.

Plot

The story centres on Harper, who takes a solo holiday in the English countryside after a traumatic loss. Her stay becomes increasingly unsettling as she encounters disturbing behaviour from the local men and experiences mounting psychological dread.

Production

Men was written and directed by Alex Garland and produced in the United Kingdom. The film’s cast includes Jessie Buckley, Rory Kinnear, and Paapa Essiedu.

Release

The film premiered theatrically in the United States on 20 May 2022 through A24 and in the United Kingdom on 1 June 2022 through Entertainment Film Distributors. It later received streaming availability in some markets.

Reception

The film received generally positive reviews, with praise for its performances and atmosphere. Some critics, however, found its narrative approach divisive or challenging.

Key facts

  • Men is a 2022 British surrealist folk horror film directed by Alex Garland.
  • Jessie Buckley stars as Harper, a grieving woman who retreats to the English countryside.
  • Rory Kinnear portrays multiple male characters in the village.
  • The film was released in the US on 20 May 2022 and in the UK on 1 June 2022.
  • It received generally positive reviews, with some critics finding its narrative divisive.
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Canadian context

Men had a commercial release in Canada, with reported box office earnings in the United States and Canada combined, and it was available on Canadian streaming services in some periods.

Frequently asked questions

What is Men (2022 film) about?
It follows Harper, a grieving woman who visits the English countryside and becomes increasingly disturbed by the men in the village and by surreal, threatening events.
Who directed Men?
Alex Garland wrote and directed Men.
Who stars in Men?
The film stars Jessie Buckley and Rory Kinnear, with Paapa Essiedu also appearing in a supporting role.
When was Men released?
It was released in the United States on 20 May 2022 and in the United Kingdom on 1 June 2022.
What genre is Men?
It is generally described as a folk horror film, with elements of drama, fantasy, horror, and thriller.

References

  1. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13841850/
    Supports: Runtime, director, writer, cast, release date, country of origin, box office, genre.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Men_(2022_film)
    Supports: Film description, genre, plot overview, release dates, and British origin.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/men_2022
    Supports: Synopsis, director, distributor, producer, runtime, genre, release date, and rating.
  4. A24 — https://a24films.com/films/men
    Supports: Official synopsis and release framing.
  5. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/81588361
    Supports: Streaming synopsis and cast listing in available regions.