Entertainment
4 Years Later, ‘Ex Machina’ Director’s Most Divisive Film Fights for a Second Chance on Streaming
Ex Machina is without a doubt one of the best sci-movies of the 2010s, as not only was it a critical success upon its 2014 premiere, but it also received major awards recognition, including for its director, Alex Garland. You may recognize Garland from his work on Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later and its 2025 sequel, 28 Years Later, both of which he received praise for writing. Meanwhile, the screenwriter made his directorial debut with Ex Machina, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay and winning three British Independent Film Awards.
Since then, the notable filmmaker has directed several more gripping works, some of which couldn’t beat the success of his first sci-fi thriller. Among these is his most divisive movie, which is about to be easier to stream, four years after its release. Starring Hamnet’s Jessie Buckley, Men has been added to HBO Max’s March 1, 2026, lineup, joining a boatload of addictive titles of all genres. The surrealist movie was released in the U.S. on May 20, 2022, by A24 and later in the U.K. on June 1 of that year by Entertainment Film Distributors.
How Well Do You Know Alex Garland’s Most Divisive Movie?
Buckley portrays a terrorized widow, Harper Marlowe, in Men, who, in the aftermath of her husband’s suicide, retreats alone to the beautiful English countryside, hoping to have found a place to heal. However, someone or something from the surrounding woods appears to be stalking her, and soon what begins as simmering dread becomes a fully-formed nightmare, inhabited by her darkest memories and fears. Also starring in the film are Rory Kinnear, who portrays every strange man in the village, and Paapa Essiedu as James Marlowe, Harper’s late husband.
Upon Men’s release, it received generally positive reviews, but its narrative approach was heavily criticized. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 69% critics’ rating, while the audience has given it a disappointing 40%. As for its financial status, the folk horror movie, released alongside Downton Abbey: A New Era, made $3.3 million in its opening weekend, finishing fifth at the box office. Ultimately, it grossed $7.6 million in North America and $3.6 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $11.2 million.
Men will be available to watch on HBO Max in March. Follow Collider for further streaming news.
- Release Date
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May 20, 2022
- Runtime
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100 minutes
- Director
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Alex Garland
- Writers
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Alex Garland