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Men...

198599 minMidcredits score: 67th percentile of all films
Director
Doris Dörrie
Starring
Heiner Lauterbach, Uwe Ochsenknecht, Ulrike Kriener, Edith Volkmann

A successful, womanizing middle-aged man decides to move out of the house he shares with his wife after she confesses to having an affair. He looks for a new place to live and ends up moving into his wife's lover's apartment as a roommate. The husband begins to take an interest in the artistic work of the lover and coaches him for a big job interview. Little does he know that the job he's helping the lover to get is within his own company... A story about strange circumstances and the limits of friendship.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Men...?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove does not list Men... on any major US streaming service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Men...?

Men... earns 2 badges, led by Crowd Pleaser and Award Winner.

  • Reception
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Men... worth watching?

Men...'s Midcredits score is the 67th percentile of all films, from 2.2K ratings across 4 sources. 64% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

67th percentile

Better received than 67% of films

75th percentile among Comedy68th percentile among 1980s
Acclaim (how much people like it)60th
Approval (how many liked it)71st

64 /100

60th percentile of all films

68th percentile among Comedy63rd percentile among 1980s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.8 — solid but not unanimous.

64% liked it

71st percentile of all films

78th percentile among Comedy72nd percentile among 1980s
64% rated it 7–1036% rated it 1–6

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 7 wins / 7 noms overall

Reach

How many have seen it

64th percentile

2.2K ratings across platforms

58th percentile among Comedy59th percentile among 1980s
TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Down 23% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

A German comedy about a cuckolded husband who moves in with his wife's lover explores male rivalry and friendship.

Fans praised

  • clever comedic premise of husband befriendin wife's lover
  • sharp commentary on male immaturity and sexual politics
  • chemistry between the two lead actors

Detractors panned

  • unconvincing character arcs and lack of subtlety
  • mediocre acting range from leads
  • dubbed dialogue sounds stilted and unnatural

What stands out

OriginalityDivisive72

fresh gender-role satire for its era

HumorDivisive70

understated German comedy with few big laughs

Plot and storyDivisive68

brilliant ironic premise but execution uneven

ActingDivisive60

lead charisma praised, range criticized

EndingDivisive58

absurd and silly finale polarizes

CharactersDivisive55

relatable archetypes but lacking depth

Pacing55

moments drag, few peaks

DialogueDivisive50

smart but damaged by dubbing

Watch experience

What is Men... like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Feel-good: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something warm that leaves you smiling.

It is funny and leaves you entertained. Skip it when you want something with weight.

Setting

  • Contemporary
  • Realistic
  • Domestic
  • Institutional
  • Urban

Style

  • Wry: Amused and slightly dry about it.
  • Satirical

Feelings

  • Warm

What it asks of you

  • Even-paced
  • Casual
  • Easy watch
  • Resolved

The answer rests on this: How it leaves you

  • Fun
  • Hopeful

Themes

  • Marriage
  • Friendship

Story

  • Comedy: Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.
what the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Very little.

What it feels like

Feel-good.

Heaviest: middleWry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its absurd premise with understated, wry humor and a neutral but sympathetic stance toward its characters.
The rideLight-hearted and comedic throughout, with a touching middle scene where the husband hugs his wife while wearing a gorilla mask.
StructureConventional linear progression from the affair's discovery through the scheme and its comedic consequences.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Entertained.

Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves you amused and with a warm feeling about the characters' growth and renewed possibilities.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11% (this title): Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% (this title) · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Comedy: Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony. · Comedy of errors: Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.

11% of films fit this archetype

with Rebirth underneath

Why this archetypeThe husband hides his true identity to move in with his wife's lover, leading to mistaken identity and a competitive friendship that transforms both men.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% (this title) · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% (this title) · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Marriage · 2% of filmsFriendship · 9% of films
Observes its theme: Presents its theme neutrally, declining to judge.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Dual lead
How it treats its themeA marriage in crisis after an affair leads to an unexpected friendship between the husband and the lover, exploring loyalty and transformation.
StanceThe film neutrally observes its male characters' foibles and the dynamics of marriage, friendship, and masculinity.

The world

Orchestral modernSupportive music · original score · Claus Bantzer
Setting1980s West Germany, a businessman lives with his wife's bohemian lover in a shared apartment.

Content guide

Is Men... okay for kids?

Ratings in 2 other countries
  • UK15
  • Germany12

No detailed content scores for this title yet.

What content warnings does Men... have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Men...?

Cast

Heiner Lauterbach
as Julius Armbrust
Uwe Ochsenknecht
as Stefan Lachner
Ulrike Kriener
as Paula Armbrust
Edith Volkmann
as Frau Lennart
Janna Marangosoff
as Angelika
Dietmar Bär
as Lothar
Marie-Charlott Schüler
as Marita Strass
Monika Schwarz
as Frau in der Bar
Lois Kelz
as Florian
Cornelia Schneider
as Caro

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Men...?

Movies like Men... include The Van (1996), Not My Day (2014) and Dinner for Schmucks (2010). All three are buddy comedies; two are films about friendship.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

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What else shares a premise, people or place with Men...?

1.1K other films share the rarest tag below, follows: tycoon. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.