My last double feature, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 & Choose or Die, was very loose in relevance considering one film was about an animated speedy hedgehog and the other about a retro video game that’ll kill you if you don’t play (lovely). And maybe the relevance between the two films in this double feature is just as bizarre: Everything Everywhere All at Once (a multiverse film like no other) and MEN (a horror about, well, men) – need I say more? Both of these films are under the name of one of my favourite film studios, A24 (creating films such as X and Hereditary). One film is a horror, and one is a genre mashup – simple enough to follow? Let’s get to it!
Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
It’s no surprise that with this year’s current theme of getting out multiverse-centred films, that many studios would hop onto the trend that Marvel has set. But seeing a studio like A24 make a film about the multiverse raises a lot of brows. And I have to say this is one of, if not the best, multiverse film of this year (sorry Doctor Strange).
The multiverse is explored very well in this movie without any infringement of copyright issues (aside from a parody of Ratatouille – Racoonie). I love the idea of being able to tap into a different version of you from a different universe and gaining their abilities; from kung fu to hot dog fingers (you read that right), the fight scenes are a mesh between silly and straight to the point. When the comedy comes into play it’s down right hysterical and timed just right. Even in it’s quietest moments you can’t help but peep and giggle.
There’s no glaring messages or bigger pictures; it’s a story about a mother and her daughter, and their infinite possibilities in infinite universes. Everything Everywhere All at Once is hands down one of my new favourite A24 films for so many reasons listed and many many more that I wish I had time to list. If you have the time during the week to watch it, I suggest you do!
Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
MEN (2022)
This film seems like it’s a piss take considering the title and it’s main ploy, but it’s exactly about what it says it’s about: men. A24 is known for its politics and most of the time it works, but with Men it’s just boring and plain.
The main character isn’t that interesting and doesn’t really learn much throughout this. Not a heroine nor a villain, just a wasted potential of a character that could have had more development. I will give props to Rory Kinnear for his acting range throughout this movie, and as much as the characters he portrays are unnerving and creepy, they fall flat to be actually memorable villains. It seems to be that they are only used for the exploitation of toxic masculinity and misogyny and nothing else.
Normally I’m okay with slow burn horrors, but the only scary thing in the first half being a naked man, it’s a bit disappointing. About an hour into this film and it takes a creepy, uncomfortable turn in direction that ramps up the horror elements.. It’s the 2nd half that’s more exciting, disgusting and spine chilling. That is, until its final moments that really are something. Something unnerving. Like, seeing men give birth to each other… What starts as a promising film ends up being a not-so-thought-out horror that doesn’t live up to other A24 horror films.
MEN (2022)
Read some of my other articles!
Fancy more double features? Lucky for you I have quite a few! Read some past articles like my feature for Last Night in Soho & Antlers! Or how about The Rocky Horror Show & The Runner!
