A couple travels to a remote restaurant for a dinner hosted by a renowned chef whose menu turns out to be a fusion of dark spectacle and raw terror.
The Menu (2022) answers this question with a sharp blend of dark comedy, horror, and social satire. Directed by Mark Mylod (Succession), the film follows Margot (Anya Taylor Joy) and Tyler (Nicholas Hoult), a couple who visit an exclusive restaurant on a remote island. Chef Slowik (Ralph Fiennes) promises a culinary masterpiece, but his menu soon reveals twisted intentions. Clocking in at 107 minutes, the movie serves tension, laughs, and a scathing critique of elitism all plated to perfection.
A Feast of Fear and Dark Humor
The story begins as Margot and Tyler join wealthy guests at Hawthorne, Chef Slowik secluded restaurant. Each course from “breadless bread plate” to shockingly violent surprises escalates the evening’s dread. The chef targets his patrons, including a narcissistic food critic and a washed-up actor, exposing their moral rot through grotesque culinary theater. Margot, an outsider, becomes the wild card in Slowik orchestrated chaos. The script by Seth Reiss and Will Tracy (Succession writers) balances horror and humor, skewering foodie culture and privilege without losing its thriller edge.
Ralph Fiennes Delivers a Career High Performance
Ralph Fiennes mesmerizes as Chef Slowik, blending menace and melancholy. His calm demeanor cracks to reveal simmering rage, making every line delivery chilling. Anya Taylor Joy’s Margot contrasts perfectly street smart, skeptical, and the only guest questioning the madness. Their tense exchanges crackle with unpredictability. Nicholas Hoult leans into dark comedy as Tyler, a fanboy obsessed with Slowik genius, oblivious to the danger. The supporting cast, including Hong Chau as the chef’s stern right hand, adds layers to the film’s eerie atmosphere.
Mark Mylod Crafts Tension with Precision
Mylod uses Hawthorne’s sterile, minimalist setting to amplify claustrophobia. Wide shots of the island’s bleak landscape contrast with tight close ups of dishes that disgust and disturb. The pacing mirrors a tasting menu: courses arrive methodically, each escalating stakes while revealing character flaws. Darkly funny moments like a sous chef’s tragic backstory told through tweezer-plated garnishes highlight the absurdity of haute cuisine. The score, mixing classical strings and unsettling silence, keeps viewers on edge.
Themes That Leave a Bitter Aftertaste
The Menu critiques obsession with status, art, and validation. Chef Slowik, once passionate about cooking, now despises his wealthy patrons’ hollow appreciation. The guests, meanwhile, represent greed, pretension, and moral decay. The film asks: Can art (or food) retain meaning in a world ruled by excess? Margot’s practicality she just wants a burger becomes the story’s moral compass, championing simplicity over spectacle.
The film thrives on contrasts:
Elegance meets brutality, satire meets suspense. Its 107 minutes runtime ensures no scene overstays, while shocking twists (avoiding spoilers here!) keep audiences hooked. The script’s witty dialogue (“Do you like tortillas?” becomes a haunting refrain) and Fiennes’ layered performance earned it 61 award nominations, including Golden Globes.
Final Verdict
The Menu is a bold, genre blending ride. It shocks and amuses, serving existential dread with a side of laughs. Fans of Get Out’s social commentary or Ready or Not horror comedy balance will savor this thriller. Ralph Fiennes and Anya Taylor Joy shine, anchoring the chaos in emotional truth. By the credits, you’ll rethink that next $200 tasting menu and maybe crave a cheeseburger.