The Menu

Overview

A young couple travels to a remote island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises.

Rating

14 Reviews

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  GenerationofSwine

  1 Jan 14, 2023

  This was my actual last straw with IMDb... I guess you have to like this one or else. And by that I mean they are purging all the bad reviews. So, this is a movie about pretentious people, for pretentious people, that are killed by pretentious people so they can walk away feeling deep. From the start you know what is going to happen, because it's basically the same thing that always happens on ominous deserted islands... and the "they eat the diners" thing was removed because one of the couples were regular diners there. It sort of gives you only one plot direction made clear by the fanaticism of the cult of cooks. So there wasn't any guess work that needed to be done, and from the start you knew which character was going to live because the broadcast that with a giant arrow pointing down at them. But, hey, it's the modern audiance, nothing can be subtle today.

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  tensharpe

  8 Jan 26, 2023

  “The Menu” takes anti capitalism and serves it up with a sprinkle or two of violence delivered on a plate by a perfectionist, cult leading chef. Mark Mylod produces a horror comedy that takes shots at culinary snobbery as well as performance art.  Margot ( Anya Taylor-Joy ) and her supposed boyfriend Tyler (Nicholas Hoult ) take a boat, along with a number of other diners, to a remote Restaurant called Hawthorn situated on a private Island. The restaurant’s avant garde head chef ( Ralph Fines ) sells both art and home grown, self produced food to a select group of high earning customers with quality and presentation far above any other culinary experience. As the guests arrive they are first subjected to a tour of the Island to see the produce used in Hawthorn being grown and sea food being gathered. Once seated in the restaurant the food begins to be served along with a story from head chef outlining the dish and its significance to the overall experience.  Before the final course is served the stories become darker and more extreme culminating in the diners becoming fearful for their own lives.   Before we reach the final course one sous chef announces that the menu requires “ an ending that ties everything together conceptually”. At this point in the proceedings it becomes clear that the restaurant staff are very much following the direction of their head chef without question, much in the way followers of any cult leader react.  “The Menu” is very unsettling and produces some uneasy, grimacing moments but balances them out well with enough humour and satire to make for a rather enjoyable experience.

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  Aaaidan

  3 Apr 12, 2023

  This movie is not nearly as clever as it thinks it is. Without giving anything away, the plot is a unique one and the main villain's motivation is original, but the movie spoils everything by treating the audience like idiots. One example (and this _is_ a spoiler, albeit a small one, so skip this paragraph if you still want to watch the movie) is when one character gets his finger chopped off. This was because he told his wife he was going to 'handle' the situation, and one of the baddies responded by asking 'with which hand?' When he didn't reply, she said 'left hand, ring finger' and one of the other baddies proceeded to chop said finger off. Now that all sounds very clever (handle/hand - what a pun!) if you don't think about it too much, but if you _do_, you'll realize that the baddies had no way of knowing that that character was going to use the word 'handle', and yet removing his finger seemed to have been pre-planned. Were they going to do it anyway, and his use of the word was a lucky coincidence that allowed them to make a pun while doing it? Or in their meeting earlier, did they say "at some point someone might use the word 'handle', at which point we're going to remove part of their hand"? I don't know, and some of you might say I'm being pedantic, but this movie was _full_ of things like this. It really took me out of it. 3/10, wouldn't recommend.

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  r96sk

  8 Aug 15, 2024

  Late to the party with this one! Probably a party to avoid anyway... 'The Menu' is a film deserving of hype. It's very good, with some strong storytelling and excellent cast showings. Anya Taylor-Joy continues to be a very reliable actress, yet to dislike a performance from her. Ralph Fiennes, meanwhile, feels perfect for the role of Chef. Hong Chau sticks out too, while it was good to see Paul Adelstein act again - not seen him in anything since 'Prison Break', well aside from a bit part in his (underrated) 'Imposters' show. The movie sets an nice tone, it isn't all that unpredictable (though is in a few moments, tbf) but still manages to build good tension throughout. As someone who hadn't seen either but has now at least seen one of them, up until recently I thought this and 'The Bear' were the same thing; based on a few glimpses I got of each poster. How interesting that they released so close to each other, even the (great) 'Boiling Point' feature film with Stephen Graham basically came out in 2022 too. Year of the kitchen.

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  griggs79

  5 Oct 1, 2024

  The Menu starts with an intriguing idea, but don't get your hopes up—it becomes painfully predictable almost right out of the gate. You can see the ending coming from a mile away, and those so-called "twists"? Yeah, they land with all the excitement of a damp napkin. The only saving grace is the fantastic cast—Anna Taylor-Joy, Ralph Fiennes, and Nicholas Hoult—though even they seem to be phoning it in. It's honestly tragic how little they're given to work with. The film's popularity must be riding entirely on their star power, because of the plot? Let's just say it doesn't bring anything fresh to the table. Overall, it's a real letdown, especially with wasted talent like that, leaving a disappointing impact.

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  RalphRahal

  7 Feb 16, 2025

  The Menu is a sharp, darkly satirical thriller that blends psychological tension with biting humor. The story follows a group of privileged diners who visit an exclusive restaurant on a secluded island, only to find that the experience is far more intense than they anticipated. The plot is well-paced, keeping the mystery alive while gradually increasing the unease. It balances its social commentary with an engaging, almost theatrical structure that makes every course feel like a performance in itself. The direction by Mark Mylod is precise, with every scene meticulously crafted to build tension. He knows exactly when to hold back and when to push the intensity, making the film feel controlled yet unpredictable. The cinematography is stunning, with an almost clinical beauty that enhances the eerie atmosphere. The way the food is presented is almost too perfect, mirroring the precision of the restaurant itself. Every frame feels intentional, elevating the film beyond a simple horror-thriller setup. The acting is one of the strongest aspects, with Ralph Fiennes delivering a chilling, captivating performance that demands attention. Anya Taylor-Joy is fantastic as always, bringing both vulnerability and resilience to her role, making her one of the most compelling characters on screen. The supporting cast does a great job of embodying different aspects of elitism and entitlement, making the ensemble feel dynamic without any weak links. The script is sharp, filled with clever dialogue that keeps the tension high while delivering dry, dark humor that lands well. The score adds another layer to the experience, subtly enhancing the unease without overpowering the scenes. It blends well with the sound design, making every little detail, from the clink of silverware to the deliberate movements of the staff, feel heightened. The film does a great job of making you feel like you're sitting at the table, absorbing every moment of the experience. Overall, The Menu is a well-executed, visually striking thriller that knows exactly what it's serving, and it does so with precision and purpose.