Movie Review: The Menu (2022)
Synopsis
Set in a secluded high-end restaurant on a remote island, The Menu unfolds as a darkly comedic thriller that critiques the world of fine dining. Diners are treated to an extravagant tasting menu crafted by the enigmatic and celebrated Chef Julian Slowik, portrayed with chilling presence by Ralph Fiennes. Among the guests are Margot (Anya Taylor-Joy) and her wealthy partner Tyler (Nicholas Hoult), a couple whose contrasting approaches to the dining experience set the stage for the unfolding tension. The evening quickly shifts from an elegant culinary event into a harrowing nightmare, as the guests discover that each course reveals dark secrets and sinister intentions.
As the night progresses, it becomes apparent that the chef has a twisted plan for his guests, drawing their attention away from the lavish artistry of the food to the true horror of their situation. Margot, positioned as an outsider, is forced to confront not just her place among the elite but also the lengths to which one will go for art, fame, and personal gratification.
With every course, the tension escalates as the guests grapple with their choices, moral failings, and the consequences of their privileged lifestyles. Ultimately, The Menu serves as a biting commentary on culinary elitism, privilege, and the aesthetics of suffering.
Main Cast
- Ralph Fiennes as Chef Julian Slowik
- Anya Taylor-Joy as Margot
- Nicholas Hoult as Tyler
- Hong Chau as Elsa
- Janet McTeer as Anne
- John Leguizamo as a movie star
- Judith Light as a wealthy patron
- Paul Adelstein as a food critic
Review
The Menu is a film that delicately weaves together themes of class struggle, existential dread, and the art of gastronomy. It is both a satire and a horror film, a blend that could easily falter. However, director Mark Mylod masterfully manages the tone, ensuring that each moment feels both indulgent and excruciating, reflecting the dual nature of fine dining itself.
At the heart of the film is Ralph Fiennes’s chilling performance as Chef Julian Slowik. Fiennes brings an unsettling charisma to the role, embodying a character that vacillates between a figure of reverence and an agent of stark terror. His portrayal encapsulates the obsession and mania behind culinary perfection, revealing the misplaced reverence often bestowed upon chefs in modern dining culture. Fiennes is able to convey so much with minimal words in certain moments, using his expressions to evoke both admiration and fear.
Anya Taylor-Joy’s Margot serves as both the audience’s surrogate and a complex character in her own right. A clear contrast to the other guests, Margot’s discerning eye allows viewers to engage with the unsettling atmosphere as she recognises the absurdity of the luxurious farce that is unfolding. The dynamic between Margot and Tyler, played by Nicholas Hoult, is pivotal to the narrative. Tyler’s blind admiration for the chef, likened almost to a cult-like obsession, contrasts sharply with Margot’s grounded pragmatism. This thematic dichotomy brings a depth to the film, probing questions of value in both culinary expertise and personal integrity.
The supporting cast also excels in their roles, each character embodying different facets of the wealthy elite that inhabit the culinary world. Hong Chau shines as Elsa, the restaurant’s devoted and fiercely protective hostess, representing the zeal with which the high-end dining industry is often packaged. John Leguizamo’s character, a washed-up movie star, is a pointed satirical jab at celebrity culture and its relationships with cuisine, deftly captured through razor-sharp dialogue and observant glances.
The cinematography by Peter Menzies Jr. is strikingly beautiful, with each shot meticulously crafted to evoke the intricacies of fine dining. This aesthetic pleasure, however, is laced with a sense of dread that permeates the frame, a juxtaposition that cleverly mirrors the experience of haute cuisine—where presentation can mask the darker undercurrents of intention.
The film’s social commentary is acute, exposing the disconnect between privilege and empathy. The guests, each ostensibly successful individuals in their own right, are stripped bare as the night wears on, revealing self-indulgence that lurks beneath their carefully curated facades. The cuisine that they worship so fervently becomes the very instrument of their torment, forcing them to confront the consequences of their actions and lifestyles.
The writing, credited to Seth Reese and Will Tracy, is sharp and laden with dark humour, with deliciously ironic twists that deepen its resonance. Each course of the meal cleverly aligns with thematic revelations, further subverting expectations and keeping the audience on edge. As the evening unfolds, the tension builds tactfully, culminating in an explosive finale that invokes both terror and satisfaction. The film’s climax is as visually arresting as it is conceptually rich, tying together the characters’ arcs while leaving them—and the audience—questioning the meaning and cost of artistic ambition.
One of the film’s most striking features is its ability to invoke laughter and horror in equal measure. The absurdity of the extreme scenarios portrayed provides a biting humour that does not diminish the stakes the characters face. This duality can leave the viewer with a sense of discomfort, forcing contemplation long after the credits roll.
While the film operates on multiple levels, it does occasionally stumble in maintaining its brisk pacing. Some moments are deliberately prolonged, perhaps to enhance the tension, but they can also lead to slight sagging in urgency. Nevertheless, this is a minor flaw in a largely well-executed narrative that keeps the audience engaged and invested.
Conclusion
In a world that often idolises the culinary elite, The Menu serves as a sharp reminder of the darker side of this glorified lifestyle. With its grotesque humour, striking performances, and incisive commentary, the film embodies the precarious balance between art and monstrosity. It challenges viewers to reflect on their own relationships with art, privilege, and the human experience.
Ultimately, The Menu is a cinematic feast that should not be missed—delivering not only a captivating storyline, exquisite visuals, and strong performances but also posing profound questions about identity, value, and the cost of ambition.
Score: 8.5/10
