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First teaser for new A24/Alex Garland [Ex Machina, Annihilation, DEVS] movie: Men

SJRB

Gold Member



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Easily one of, if not my favorite writer/director of all time returns with a curious teaser.
 
There isn't much to comment on, but I'm glad to see him going back to feature films. His TV show (Devs) was bloated with so much unnecessary crap that should have been left on the editing room floor.
 

SJRB

Gold Member
There isn't much to comment on, but I'm glad to see him going back to feature films. His TV show (Devs) was bloated with so much unnecessary crap that should have been left on the editing room floor.

On a philosophical level Devs is by far the best show I've ever seen. It introduced me to a lot of new concepts like quantum mechanics on which I've read a ton since I saw the show, and made me ponder a lot about existentialism, causality, determinism.

It asks a lot of mindbending questions and I still think about the show and its concepts very frequently.

However, the flipside of the show is arguably some of the worst tv has to offer. There are a lot of either unlikeable or straight up terribly acted characters in this show. Cringe inducing high school level drama that very much devaluates the high concepts that lie at the core of the show.

tl;dr Just watch everything involving Forest, Katie and the machine. Skip everything involving Lily and Jamie.
 

Ballthyrm

Member
There isn't much to comment on, but I'm glad to see him going back to feature films. His TV show (Devs) was bloated with so much unnecessary crap that should have been left on the editing room floor.

At least they tried something. I agree that it could have been edited better but the depth was there.
I rather see 10 more attempts like this than your run-of-the-mill TV serie.

This new movie looks promising, I'll probably give it a watch.
 

EruditeHobo

Member
I never saw Devs, but Annihilation & Ex Machina have given him a free pass for quite awhile as far as I'm concerned.
 

Men_in_Boxes

Snake Oil Salesman
Praise be to directors who don't put well known celebrities in their movies. Makes it easier to see the characters rather than the actors.
 

12Goblins

Lil’ Gobbie
did people like annihilation? I don't remember it being well received... I remember a trippy ending and good music, but everything leading up to it was intriguing but not great. regardless, looking forward to this
 
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did people like annihilation? I don't remember it being well received... I remember a trippy ending and good music, but everything leading up to it was intriguing but not great. regardless, looking forward to this
Dude it's my favourite movie in like... 5 years lmao. It's great. MEN looks awesome too.
 

O-N-E

Member
All the men in this movie being creepy assholes is a bit worrying given the current social environment. All the apples obviously symbolize Eve's sin (it's pretty much spelled out in the trailer). All the men in the trailer are gaslighting assholes. This is... perilous territory. Hopefully, it's not gonna end up being what it looks like on the surface.
did people like annihilation? I don't remember it being well received... I remember a trippy ending and good music, but everything leading up to it was intriguing but not great. regardless, looking forward to this

The ending sequence is definitely the standout. A strong climax / ending is so rare, and that one is as memorable as they come. The more time passes the more I like it.
 

SJRB

Gold Member
did people like annihilation? I don't remember it being well received... I remember a trippy ending and good music, but everything leading up to it was intriguing but not great. regardless, looking forward to this

Annihilation is easily in my top 5 all-time favorite movies. Amazing sci-fi that flirts with Lovecraftian horror throughout.

Incredible twist on the source material, amazing visuals and music, insane atmosphere. The cast is easily the weakest part of the movie, unfortunately.

But man, that third act. What the fuck. So crazy.


Normally I would say she shoved the black dude off the roof, Rory Kinnear saw her and now she's paranoid.

I had the exact same thought watching that trailer. "Please let there be more to it than a paranoid lady"
 
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All the men in this movie being creepy assholes is a bit worrying given the current social environment. All the apples obviously symbolize Eve's sin (it's pretty much spelled out in the trailer). All the men in the trailer are gaslighting assholes. This is... perilous territory. Hopefully, it's not gonna end up being what it looks like on the surface.


The ending sequence is definitely the standout. A strong climax / ending is so rare, and that one is as memorable as they come. The more time passes the more I like it.
Definitely need to see where it’s going before I get too interested. If it’s ultimately some ham fisted attempt to shove “all men are bad” politics down our throats, I’ll pass. Hopefully there is something more going on.

Like I said, A24 makes great trailers. They do a good job of giving you just enough to get your interested while remaining mysterious. But I’ve been burned by them before. I found Midsommar and It Comes at Night were big time letdowns for me. But A24 is also responsible for a lot more hits than misses. So I’ll remain cautiously optimistic.
 

Doom85

Member
Okay, are we ignoring all the creepy religious/cult imagery in the trailer (and teaser)? Considering one of the prominent men in the trailer is a priest, and the guy she rents the house from refers to the Bible, I figured it was pretty obvious a likely reveal of the movie would be the locals she specifically encounters are all in the same cult. Which isn’t an anti-men move, unless I missed the part where the 4 billion men on Earth were suddenly reduced to a dozen or two. And big shock, a cult that could be sexist, man you’d think a CULT would be more progressive, right?

Ryan Reynolds Reaction GIF


It’s the same shit I heard against Get Out that it’s “anti-white”. A specific group of people doing fucked up things does not mean that everyone of that race is guilty of doing it as well, and no I don’t need the movie to pause to randomly insert some innocent white person* who has nothing to do with the plot just so certain white people in the audience can feel good about themselves. As a white person, I really wish certain other white people would grow a spine already. Should we stop showing our kids Bambi? I mean, the only human in the movie kills Bambi’s mother, and kids are human, so clearly Bambi is a film designed to make kids feel like murderers. CLEARLY.

(also, nobody claim this film will be specifically anti-white men as the priest said she didn’t forgive her husband for something, so clearly he did something wrong whether it was cheating or something on that level)

Look, it’s entirely possible Men might go insanely extreme and claim all men are evil or some shit. I highly doubt it but anything is possible. But if it’s revealed that just this specific group of men are crazy assholes, that shouldn’t be a problem for the non-sensitive people in the audience. Granted, I remember people claiming Annihilation was about female empowerment because the team we were following were all women. Yeeeeaaaah, nothing screams “female empowerment” like all the horrific fates that awaited every single one of those team members…..


*fun detail about Get Out, the cop (who is white) at the beginning is visibly painted in a negative light due to coming off as at least slightly racist for insisting to see the MC’s ID when the cop has no reason to need to see it as the MC wasn’t driving, but paying attention to the plot one will realize the girlfriend actually tells the cop off because she doesn’t want the MC having any sort of record proving he was present when his family/friends point out he was supposed to be at her parents’ place if he had been taken like the girlfriend and her family intended. So the cop is ultimately presented as a possible help to him and is only prevented due to the girlfriend making sure no one has proof her boyfriend was actually in the area when he “disappears”. The whole movie has fun details and foreshadowing one can pick up on on a rewatch.
 
Okay, are we ignoring all the creepy religious/cult imagery in the trailer (and teaser)? Considering one of the prominent men in the trailer is a priest, and the guy she rents the house from refers to the Bible, I figured it was pretty obvious a likely reveal of the movie would be the locals she specifically encounters are all in the same cult. Which isn’t an anti-men move, unless I missed the part where the 4 billion men on Earth were suddenly reduced to a dozen or two. And big shock, a cult that could be sexist, man you’d think a CULT would be more progressive, right?

Ryan Reynolds Reaction GIF


It’s the same shit I heard against Get Out that it’s “anti-white”. A specific group of people doing fucked up things does not mean that everyone of that race is guilty of doing it as well, and no I don’t need the movie to pause to randomly insert some innocent white person* who has nothing to do with the plot just so certain white people in the audience can feel good about themselves. As a white person, I really wish certain other white people would grow a spine already. Should we stop showing our kids Bambi? I mean, the only human in the movie kills Bambi’s mother, and kids are human, so clearly Bambi is a film designed to make kids feel like murderers. CLEARLY.

(also, nobody claim this film will be specifically anti-white men as the priest said she didn’t forgive her husband for something, so clearly he did something wrong whether it was cheating or something on that level)

Look, it’s entirely possible Men might go insanely extreme and claim all men are evil or some shit. I highly doubt it but anything is possible. But if it’s revealed that just this specific group of men are crazy assholes, that shouldn’t be a problem for the non-sensitive people in the audience. Granted, I remember people claiming Annihilation was about female empowerment because the team we were following were all women. Yeeeeaaaah, nothing screams “female empowerment” like all the horrific fates that awaited every single one of those team members…..


*fun detail about Get Out, the cop (who is white) at the beginning is visibly painted in a negative light due to coming off as at least slightly racist for insisting to see the MC’s ID when the cop has no reason to need to see it as the MC wasn’t driving, but paying attention to the plot one will realize the girlfriend actually tells the cop off because she doesn’t want the MC having any sort of record proving he was present when his family/friends point out he was supposed to be at her parents’ place if he had been taken like the girlfriend and her family intended. So the cop is ultimately presented as a possible help to him and is only prevented due to the girlfriend making sure no one has proof her boyfriend was actually in the area when he “disappears”. The whole movie has fun details and foreshadowing one can pick up on on a rewatch.
Movies have themes, my guy. The whole point is to reduce a big idea down into something you can digest in an hour and a half. The point people are making is that, based on the trailer, this could be a movie that tries to imply that men are bad. People are actively hoping that isn’t the case because that isn’t a movie they want to watch and this movie seems like it could be more interesting than something that reductive and dumb.

Get Out’s themes were stupid, btw. It was a well shot movie, and we don’t need to dissect it here. But just because people don’t like the themes of a movie doesn’t mean they’re all fragile. It just means they didn’t like a movie.
 
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Doom85

Member
Movies have themes, my guy. The whole point is to reduce a big idea down into something you can digest in an hour and a half. The point people are making is that, based on the trailer, this could be a movie that tries to imply that men are bad. People are actively hoping that isn’t the case because that isn’t a movie they want to watch and this movie seems like it could be more interesting than something that reductive and dumb.

Get Out’s themes were stupid, btw. It was a well shot movie, and we don’t need to dissect it here. But just because people don’t like the themes of a movie doesn’t mean they’re all fragile. It just means they didn’t like a movie.

I was just hoping we could discuss the movie‘s previews without the conversation devolving into the usual “I see SJW boogeyman everywhere” shtick that infects so much of Gaf. Horror is meant to scare the viewer, and shocker a bunch of dudes seemingly teaming up to stalk and scare the shit out of some woman is a frightening scenario. There was nothing in the trailer to imply the movie is saying all men are this way (beyond the obvious reason that saying that is a ridiculous stance even in the company of other ridiculous stances) and again what WAS shown was some creepy religious imagery and allusions. So if it is a cult, shocker, they could be sexist. How is a cult’s actions and beliefs reflective of society as a whole? For example, I don’t think Once Upon a Time in Hollywood was using its portrayal of semi-altered real events to try to claim all hippies secretly want to murder celebrities, because no, it was the actions of a specific group.

Also, not sure why you thought Get Out‘s themes were stupid. Do you not comprehend the concept of positive discrimination? Because it is a real thing, and it is something that minorities (rightfully) find obnoxious when it’s done to them. Fuck, someone who barely knew me at work once assumed I was really skilled with computers, and when I asked why they thought that (and no, I’m actually competent at best), they said it was because I wore glasses. That pissed me off somewhat and I can’t even imagine how even more infuriating it must be for people to talk to you like that because of your race and such. But, whatever, you do you.
 

Hugare

Member
The "anti-men" fear posts are hilarious

This is the begining of the end, guys. Society sure as hell will change after this indie, surreal horror movie gets released.

The irony is that you are probably the ones who call others by "snowflakes"

Anyway, movie looks awesome, I'm intrigued. Didnt like Annihilation, but Ex Machina was great.
 
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O-N-E

Member
The "anti-men" fear posts are hilarious

This is the begining of the end, guys. Society sure as hell will change after this indie, surreal horror movie gets released.

The irony is that you are probably the ones who call others by "snowflakes"

Anyway, movie looks awesome, I'm intrigued. Didnt like Annihilation, but Ex Machina was great.

Snowflakes try to actively suppress. I'm just commenting on the potential for this movie to be grossly simplistic in its themes and therefore less enjoyable to me.

I liked Annihilation quite a lot unlike you, so I don't have to have a movie focusing on exemplary men.
 

Hugare

Member
Snowflakes try to actively suppress. I'm just commenting on the potential for this movie to be grossly simplistic in its themes and therefore less enjoyable to me.

I liked Annihilation quite a lot unlike you, so I don't have to have a movie focusing on exemplary men.
What I meant is: saying that the theme of "men are evil" being "perilous territory" is kinda overreacting, imo, and it's not only commenting about it being simplistic, but whatever

And not every movie gotta have layers and layers. Some of the best horror movies out there are very simplistic.

We are jumping to a lot of conclusions here, let's just wait and see when it comes out
 
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What I meant is: saying that the theme of "men are evil" being "perilous territory" is kinda overreacting, imo, and it's not only commenting about it being simplistic, but whatever

And not every movie gotta have layers and layers. Some of the best horror movies out there are very simplistic.

We are jumping to a lot of conclusions here, let's just wait and see when it comes out
I’m ok with that. I don’t think people are crazy with saying they hope the movie has more depth than some heavy-handed social commentary. I don’t think the concern is entirely unfounded based on that trailer. But hopefully it’s much ado about nothing.
 
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O-N-E

Member
What I meant is: saying that the theme of "men are evil" being "perilous territory" is kinda overreacting, imo, and it's not only commenting about it being simplistic, but whatever

"Perilous" as in if that's what the movie boils down to in the end, I won't enjoy it.

Not saying that will be the case, just that the potential is heavily there and present in the trailer. Hoping to be pleasantly surprised.
 

NahaNago

Member
I'll probably pass on this one. I only watched those two films mentioned from this guy because they were sci-fi but I thought they were simply okay films.
 

taizuke

Member
Good trailer, I'm just waiting for Twitter to call this woke for making men out to be the boogey(men).

On the surface that's what the trailer implies but it also alludes to the idea that it could also be in the woman's head. If that turns out to be the twist (highly doubtful) then I pray for twitter's sanity.
 

Outlier

Member
If you pay attention a few of the "men" look eerily similar in some shots. The "kid"s face changes from older to younger.

I think she's dealing with a shape shifter. I dunno, but the fact that she's the only woman present in the trailer is telling.
 

DeafTourette

Perpetually Offended
If you pay attention a few of the "men" look eerily similar in some shots. The "kid"s face changes from older to younger.

I think she's dealing with a shape shifter. I dunno, but the fact that she's the only woman present in the trailer is telling.

I was about to mention that all the men, apart from the house guy, all have the same face, just slightly altered on each body. Glad I'm not the only one who noticed!
 

DeafTourette

Perpetually Offended
I was just hoping we could discuss the movie‘s previews without the conversation devolving into the usual “I see SJW boogeyman everywhere” shtick that infects so much of Gaf. Horror is meant to scare the viewer, and shocker a bunch of dudes seemingly teaming up to stalk and scare the shit out of some woman is a frightening scenario. There was nothing in the trailer to imply the movie is saying all men are this way (beyond the obvious reason that saying that is a ridiculous stance even in the company of other ridiculous stances) and again what WAS shown was some creepy religious imagery and allusions. So if it is a cult, shocker, they could be sexist. How is a cult’s actions and beliefs reflective of society as a whole? For example, I don’t think Once Upon a Time in Hollywood was using its portrayal of semi-altered real events to try to claim all hippies secretly want to murder celebrities, because no, it was the actions of a specific group.

Also, not sure why you thought Get Out‘s themes were stupid. Do you not comprehend the concept of positive discrimination? Because it is a real thing, and it is something that minorities (rightfully) find obnoxious when it’s done to them. Fuck, someone who barely knew me at work once assumed I was really skilled with computers, and when I asked why they thought that (and no, I’m actually competent at best), they said it was because I wore glasses. That pissed me off somewhat and I can’t even imagine how even more infuriating it must be for people to talk to you like that because of your race and such. But, whatever, you do you.

Positive discrimination like Asians are great at math and always successful and smarter than everyone else!

Like black people are so good at sports!

Like Native Americans are so spiritual and connected to nature!

Like Latinos are such spicy lovers!

Like Black women are so sensual and sexually free!
 
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jason10mm

Gold Member
If you pay attention a few of the "men" look eerily similar in some shots. The "kid"s face changes from older to younger.

I think she's dealing with a shape shifter. I dunno, but the fact that she's the only woman present in the trailer is telling.
Aren't ALL the men the same actor? I thought that was the point, she is seeing the same person superimposed on every man she meets, including kids.

I wonder if she has face blindness, thus she can not distinguish people she doesn't know from other physical tells. So she is being stalked but is unable to pick the bad guy out from all the others.

Probably repressed guilt as it seems to tie into an "original sin" idea (all men are Adam?) but I guess we'll. I suspect it will have an ambiguous ending at best.
 

EviLore

Expansive Ellipses
Staff Member
did people like annihilation? I don't remember it being well received... I remember a trippy ending and good music, but everything leading up to it was intriguing but not great. regardless, looking forward to this
Yes, it's a great movie other than the use of framing device.
 

BigBooper

Member
The trailer is weird. Not in a psychedelic or mysterious way, but in a "use an AI to develop a psychedelic and mysterious movie" way.

It's like someone without a great grasp of filmmaking and English language tried to make a movie like other movies.
 

SJRB

Gold Member




Cinemascore:
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In fairness everything I've read about this movie's premise fucking sucks. First time I'm gonna pass on an Alex Garland project.
 
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I loved Ex Machina for its great performances, amazing visuals and thought provoking dialogues, but this...

And the people who would get the most out of internalizing its message about the destructive nature of toxic masculinity are the ones completely dumbfounded by what it has to say. Few are in a place to really benefit from it.
By now, you probably know where this is going. Men, it seems, would like to show the impact of microaggressions toward women by making them just a little more macro...

The Addams Family Eye Roll GIF by absurdnoise
 

John Bilbo

Member
Ugh men amiright

If it comes to Netflix or HBO, I'll give it a try. I remember Annihilation being a visually stunning film with some impactful scenes.
 
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