Nom Nom- 'The Menu'

This review is long overdue, but so was me seeing Mark Mylod's The Menu. I’d wanted to see it for a while, mainly because it was described as a dark, comedic thriller centered around food. Really not sure why I wouldn’t want to see it. When I did finally watch it, I went in blind—no trailer, no plot details, just the cast list, some gorgeous stills, and that dynamic film poster.

The Menu follows Erin, played by Anya Taylor-Joy, and Tyler, played by Nicholas Hoult, along with other lucky guests, as they travel to a remote island to experience the finest cuisine from renowned chef Julian Slowik, portrayed by Ralph Fiennes. It opens with Erin and Tyler waiting on a dock for their boat to the restaurant. From the first glance between the dining guests, you know the film is going to offer a fun mix of characters and, potentially, intertwining backstories. Once the first meal is served, the structured style of the film kicks off, with each course introduced by a witty (and often dark) description, breaking up the deliciously sinister intentions of Chef Slowik as they unravel. These menu titles were by far the funniest part of the film—perfectly timed to fit the ‘humour to cope with trauma’ vibe.

While the isolated, eerie setting was effective, what really made this film was, hands down, the cast. The characters were the key ingredients. All performances were solid, but Taylor-Joy and Fiennes undeniably carried the film. Taylor-Joy brings a 'relatable' character to the table, reacting to the madness with a grounded, likable presence. This can’t be said for Hoult’s character, who immediately comes off as a pretentious, condescending dick. The two bounce off each other perfectly. Meanwhile, Fiennes’s portrayal of Chef Slowik demands attention in every scene. He doesn’t just command his restaurant staff (YES CHEF) but also the entire cinema. Slowik’s character is what makes this film a thriller—he’s intense, commanding, and truly thrilling.

What first drew me to The Menu was the genre. It’s comedically dark—not laugh-out-loud funny, but it balances its humour well enough. There are thrilling elements too, as I mentioned with the isolated setting and Fiennes as the 'antagonist'. However, I don’t think the film fully nailed the ‘thriller’ aspect. The twists and turns might be hard to swallow for some, with a lot more blood than my usual restaurant outings, but none of them completely caught me off guard. From the moment it starts, you know something’s off—you’re just waiting to see what. Erin is instantly likable and smart, so you’re rooting for her survival. And as soon as Chef Slowik enters the scene, you can tell something bad is going to happen to the guests. Shocking, right?

The Menu is only 1 hour and 47 minutes long, and for that pleasantly short runtime, I do recommend it. Anyone paying attention (and who’s okay with a little blood) won’t be completely shocked, but the film is fun and worth watching—though maybe I’m just a wannabe film snob who assumes endings as they unfold and rants about them on a blog only two people read!

I’ll finish up this review with the same thought I left the cinema with: I’d really fucking love a cheeseburger right now.

Evie 20 December 2022