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Higher education professional by day, writer and pop culture enthusiast by night. When he isn't writing for The Cinema Spot, Tristian can be found creating content for his YouTube and TikTok pages, or working on the young adult novel he has been trying to finish for the last three years.
The phrase “eat the rich” takes on a horrific new meaning in the dark comedy horror thriller film, The Menu, directed by Mark Mylod (Ali G Indahouse, Shameless, Entourage, Succession).
Discussion
Written by Seth Reiss and Will Tracy, The Menu opens with several members of the rich and elite being invited to the private island of the famous Chef Julian Slowik (Ralph Fiennes). Dining at Hawthorne is an experience few ever receive, even if they can afford the expensive $1,250 USD per person fee. Tyler Ledford (Nicholas Holt) can barely contain his excitement as he explains all of this to his plus one, Margot Mills (Anya Taylor-Joy), who is a last-minute replacement for Tyler’s former girlfriend. Margot, who grew up poor, cannot fathom what all the pomp and pageantry with Chef Slowik is about.
The pleasant evening turns deadly when Slowik becomes disillusioned with his status and those he serves. As he exposes the corrupt and wicked deeds of each of his guests, he reveals this will truly be the last supper for all of them. Margot finds herself in a horrific situation that will take all her wits to escape.
Performances and Character Developments
I never thought I would see Ralph Fiennes play a character that creeped me out more than Lord Voldemort from the Harry Potter film franchise, but Chef Slowik does. He is cold, calculated, and commands absolute devotion from his followers (i.e., staff). In all actuality, he and Voldemort have a lot in common. Both are men who come from humble beginnings and have grown disgusted with who they have become. Slowik’s humble beginnings and the twisted longing he has for that time in his life are how Margot is able to relate to him. This is also what allows the character to sympathize with her.
Watching Anya Taylor-Joy and Ralph Fiennes verbally and mentally spar is one of the major highlights of the film. The chemistry is palpable between the two performers, and their interactions are both interesting and terrifying.
I would be remiss if I did not mention the other characters in the film, as they’re just as colorful and horrible as you could imagine. By the end of the movie, viewers will completely understand why Chef Slowik feels the need to wipe these jerks off the face of the planet. You have a pompous and aging actor, George Díaz (John Leguizamo); a snooty food critic, Lillian Bloom (Janet McTeer), and her companion and editor, Ted (Paul Adelstein); a dysfunctional married couple Anne and Richard Liebbrandt (Judith Light and Reed Birney, respectively); an insanely annoying trio of bros, Bryce, Soren, and Dave (Rob Yang, Arturo Castro, and Mark St. Cyr, respectively); and Slowik’s stoic assistant and right-hand woman, Elsa (Hong Chau).
Final Thoughts on The Menu
The Menu is an insanely entertaining and delicious satire that pokes fun at the ridiculousness of the rich and elite, while also layering in serious commentary and thriller aspects.
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Higher education professional by day, writer and pop culture enthusiast by night. When he isn't writing for The Cinema Spot, Tristian can be found creating content for his YouTube and TikTok pages, or working on the young adult novel he has been trying to finish for the last three years.
This article was edited by John Tangalin.