Here Are the Young Men – Film Review

The characters themselves are disappointingly one-dimensional, failing to evolve beyond their initial stereotypes. Matthew (played by Dean-Charles Chapman) is the archetypal troubled teenager, grappling with his emotions after witnessing a traumatic event. His friends, Kearney (Finn Cole) and Rez (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo), add little to the narrative beyond embodying various degrees of recklessness and immaturity. Anya Taylor-Joy‘s character, Jen, is the obligatory love interest who is given little agency beyond serving as a catalyst for the male characters’ actions.

What’s particularly frustrating is the film’s treatment of women. Jen is objectified and reduced to a passive plot device, while other female characters are either sexualized or sidelined. The film’s attempt to explore masculinity and its toxic manifestations falls short, as it fails to critically engage with its own portrayal of women. This lack of nuance perpetuates harmful stereotypes rather than interrogating them.

The film’s attempts at shock value often come across as gratuitous rather than thought-provoking. Scenes of substance abuse, violence, and sexual exploitation are depicted with an almost voyeuristic lens, exploiting the very issues the film ostensibly aims to critique. Shock tactics can be effective tools for storytelling when used with purpose, but here they feel cheap and sensationalist, undermining any semblance of social commentary.

In terms of visual style, Here Are the Young Men boasts a dark and moody aesthetic that reflects the characters’ inner turmoil. However, the cinematography and editing choices sometimes veer into self-indulgence, with jarring jump cuts and erratic camera movements that only add to the film’s lack of coherence. The soundtrack, a mix of contemporary tracks and moody instrumentals, attempts to set the tone but often feels incongruous with the on-screen action, further contributing to the overall disjointed experience.

One of the film’s most glaring weaknesses is its inability to convey a clear message or theme. While it flirts with themes of youth disillusionment, toxic masculinity, and societal decay, it never commits to a deep exploration of any of these issues. The lack of character development prevents viewers from truly empathizing with or understanding the characters’ motivations, leaving their actions feeling arbitrary and devoid of meaning.

In its attempts to be provocative, Here Are the Young Men forgets the importance of subtlety and thematic depth. The film seems more interested in shocking its audience than in fostering genuine introspection or discussion. As a result, it ultimately fails to provide a satisfying or meaningful cinematic experience.

Here Are the Young Men falls short of its potential on multiple fronts. Its disjointed storytelling, underdeveloped characters, and problematic treatment of sensitive subjects prevent it from making a meaningful impact. While the film may aim to offer a glimpse into the tumultuous world of its young protagonists, it ultimately leaves audiences bewildered and unsatisfied. Instead of a thoughtful exploration of youth and its complexities, viewers are presented with a shallow and disconnected descent into darkness that offers little insight and even less entertainment value.