Enys Men is a slow burn horror movie that will divide audiences. The plot follows a wildlife volunteer who is studying a rare flower. After days pass with no change (for the character and those watching), a sudden discovery makes it impossible to distinguish reality from nightmares.
The plot is not as straightforward as it sounds. Time is an elusive construct that is never addressed. Some events on the island seem to be from the future while others are clearly from the past. Meanwhile, the Volunteer (Mary Woodvine) goes through the same routine everyday.
The horror of Enys Men is not in visceral scares or outright gore. The terror here is meant to be experienced. It is not so much about frightening the audience as it is creeping them out. The story leans into the monotony and strangeness in order to instill fear in its audience.
This will be where most of the disconnect occurs. Writer-director Mark Jenkin is never in any rush to explain his film. Enys Men is a series of events that those watching are meant to piece together. This will take away the enjoyment for those expecting an all out horror movie and are instead greeted with something much more abstract.
One thing few will dispute is how well put together Enys Men is. Woodvine does an excellent job in what is essentially a one person show. The setting is beautiful and the whole film has a dreamlike quality to it, adding to the uncertainty of everything that is happening.The randomness of some of the images also adds to the gloomy atmosphere and surprising injections of wit will keep anyone watching on their toes.
Enys Men opens in select theaters March 31
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