Directed by
Alex Garland
Made by
A24
Following the tragic and seemingly suicidal death of her husband, James, Harper Marlowe decides to take a much-needed break in the serene village of Cotson, Herefordshire. Memories reveal that Harper had long been weary of James’s emotional torment, leading her to contemplate divorce. As tensions escalated, James made desperate threats of self-harm, culminating in an incident where he struck Harper in anger. Following this confrontation, she locked him out, only to witness his fatal plunge from their balcony, a gruesome fall leaving him partially impaled.
Upon her arrival at the quaint country house she has rented, Harper is welcomed by the house’s quirky yet well-intentioned owner, Geoffrey, who enthusiastically shows her around the property. Venturing into the nearby woods, Harper discovers an old railway tunnel, where she is suddenly startled by a distant figure screaming and rushing towards her. Panicking, she retreats through the forest to an open field, only to catch sight of a naked man staring at her from afar, adding to her sense of unease.
The following day, during a video call with her friend Riley, Harper is horrified to spot the same naked man lurking in her front garden, his visage marred with blood. In a panic, she locks the door, but the man inexplicably thrusts his hand through the letterbox. Terrified, Harper contacts the police, and the man is apprehended, only for her to realize that one of the arresting officers bears an uncanny resemblance to Geoffrey.
Seeking solace, Harper visits a local church, where she encounters carvings of the Green Man and Sheela na gig. There, she meets a young boy and a vicar who both eerily resemble Geoffrey. In a confounding conversation, the vicar suggests that Harper might share some blame for James’s death due to her refusal to let him apologize, prompting her to storm out. Later, at a nearby pub, she runs into Geoffrey again, where she notices that the few patrons and even the bartender all mirror his appearance. Her agitation spikes upon learning from a policeman that the naked man has been released, as no legal grounds exist to hold him.
In a bid to feel safe, Harper reaches out to Riley, who promises to drive over the next day to support her through the remainder of her vacation. However, attempts to share her location are thwarted by persistent phone service disruptions. The situation spirals when she spots the policeman outside, only for him to vanish as the lights flicker ominously. A male patron from the pub then aggressively pursues her, forcing Harper to retreat to the safety of her house. She prepares to defend herself by arming herself with a knife just as a window shatters in the kitchen. Geoffrey arrives, explaining that the broken window was an accident caused by a crow, which he promptly euthanizes.
The atmosphere grows increasingly sinister when the lights flicker again, and the naked man reappears, compelling Harper to flee back inside as he lunges toward her. In the chaos, he grabs her hand through the letterbox, resulting in a violent struggle in which she stabs him. In a horrific twist of fate, the injury he sustains mirrors the one James suffered from his fall. Soon after, the boy and the vicar appear within the house, both bearing similar wounds. When the vicar attempts to attack her, Harper defends herself, stabbing him before managing to escape.
In a desperate bid for freedom, Harper attempts to flee in her vehicle but inadvertently runs into Geoffrey, who savagely drags her from the car before commandeering it for a chaotic chase, ultimately crashing into a stone wall. As she regains her composure, the naked man reemerges, now transformed into the full embodiment of the Green Man, sharing a grotesque bond with the injuries sustained by James. In an unbelievable sequence, this nightmarish figure gives birth to the boy, who then births the vicar, followed by Geoffrey, and ultimately James—all in a grisly display of violence and death.
In a haunting moment, Harper finds herself sitting next to James in the house, and when she inquires about his desires, he chillingly replies that all he wants is her love. The next day, Riley, who is revealed to be pregnant, arrives, trailing a blood-stained path leading her to Harper, who offers a strange smile upon their reunion.
James's Death
Following years of emotional turmoil in their marriage, James tragically takes his own life, leaving Harper devastated. This grim event occurs after a heated argument where he strikes her in anger, leading to a fatal fall from their balcony.
Harper's Arrival in Cotson
Seeking solace, Harper travels to the picturesque village of Cotson, Herefordshire, to escape the painful memories of her husband's death. She rents a quaint country house and is greeted by the quirky owner, Geoffrey, who introduces her to the property.
Unease in the Woods
While exploring the nearby woods, Harper stumbles upon an old railway tunnel and is startled by a distant figure's screams. This encounter intensifies her feelings of dread and paranoia.
The Naked Man's Appearance
The following day, during a video call with her friend Riley, Harper spots a bloodied naked man in her garden, heightening her sense of fear. In her frantic attempt to secure her safety, she locks the door just as he reaches through the letterbox.
Police Intervention
Terrified by the naked man's intrusion, Harper calls the police, and he is apprehended. However, she is shocked to see that one of the officers closely resembles Geoffrey, blurring the lines of her reality.
Encounter at the Church
In search of peace, Harper visits a local church and encounters carvings that leave her feeling unsettled. There, she meets a vicar and a young boy, both of whom stunningly resemble Geoffrey, prompting a troubling conversation about blame in James's death.
The Pub Revelation
Later, Harper visits a nearby pub and is disturbed to find that the patrons and the bartender mirror Geoffrey's appearance. Her discomfort increases when she learns that the naked man has been released due to lack of evidence.
Disturbances and Fear
Harper's sense of safety continues to erode as she encounters numerous disruptions, including flickering lights and the sudden disappearance of the policeman. Her panic escalates, prompting her to prepare for self-defense as she senses imminent danger.
Confrontation with Geoffrey
After an intense moment with a male patron from the pub, Harper finds herself face-to-face with Geoffrey again. He explains that a broken window was an accident, adding to the surreal atmosphere that surrounds her.
Struggle with the Naked Man
The terrifying reappearance of the naked man prompts a chaotic struggle between him and Harper. In a moment of self-defense, she stabs him, finding the incident horrific as his injury mirrors that of James's fall.
Visions of the Past
Soon after the violent encounter, Harper is confronted by the boy and the vicar, who have similar injuries to the naked man. In a frantic bid to escape, she stabs the vicar, battling against the twisted reality closing in around her.
The Desperate Escape
Harper attempts to flee the chaos in her vehicle but collides violently with Geoffrey, who takes control of the car, leading to a terrifying chase that ends in a crash. Her struggle to escape grows dire as she faces the embodiment of her nightmares.
Transformation of the Naked Man
After the chaos, the naked man, now transformed into a grotesque version of the Green Man, emerges, embodying the pain of James. In a horrific display, he gives birth to the boy, who births the vicar, Geoffrey, and ultimately James, showcasing the cycle of violence.
Meeting with James
In a surreal moment, Harper finds herself sitting next to James in their home, prompting a chilling exchange regarding his desires. His haunting response reveals the depth of their emotional connection, even in the afterlife.
Riley's Arrival
The next day, Riley arrives to support Harper, revealing a blood-stained path behind her. This unsettling reunion is marked by Harper’s strange smile, hinting at the psychological trauma that has unfolded during her stay.
Harper Marlowe (Jessie Buckley)
Harper Marlowe is a deeply affected woman dealing with the trauma of her husband's death. She embodies a complex mix of vulnerability and resilience as she seeks solace in nature while battling her burgeoning fears and guilt. Her journey represents a profound emotional and psychological struggle.
Geoffrey (Rory Kinnear)
Geoffrey is the eccentric owner of the country house Harper rents, characterized by a warm but unsettling demeanor. As the story progresses, his duality becomes evident, revealing a symbolic representation of Harper's fears and the manifestations of her guilt.
Riley (Gayle Rankin)
Riley serves as Harper's supportive friend, providing emotional grounding and connection despite her own impending motherhood. Her arrival underscores the themes of friendship and the cyclical nature of life and loss, emphasizing support in times of crisis.
James (Paapa Essiedu)
James, Harper's late husband, is portrayed as a troubled individual whose emotional struggles lead to devastating consequences. His character's presence remains felt throughout the narrative, serving as a haunting reminder of unresolved conflicts and the burden of guilt.
Time period
The film presents a contemporary setting, reflecting modern societal issues surrounding mental health, relationships, and emotional trauma. The events unfold against a backdrop of personal and communal struggles, emphasizing the universality of grief and its manifestations.
Location
Cotson, Herefordshire
Cotson is a serene village in Herefordshire, known for its picturesque landscapes and peaceful atmosphere. It provides an ideal retreat for those seeking solitude and escape from urban life, which is particularly appealing to Harper after her traumatic experiences.
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Loss and Grief
The theme of loss permeates the film, with Harper grappling with the suicide of her husband. This emotional turmoil is further exacerbated by her feelings of guilt and regret, exploring the complexities of grief and its lasting impact on an individual's psyche.
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Identity and Reflection
Identity plays a crucial role, as Harper encounters various male figures who mirror her deceased husband, leading her to confront her past and the connections between them. This theme raises questions about self-perception and the manifestation of grief in different forms.
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Surrealism and Horror
The film blends surreal elements with horror, creating a nightmarish atmosphere that distorts reality. This theme reflects the psychological horror accompanying trauma and how it can warp one's environment and perceptions.
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