The Menu is probably one the strangest and yet extremely absurd thrillers that I’ve ever seen of all time.
The Menu, penned by Will Tracy and Seth Reiss, focuses on a young couple who visits an exclusive destination restaurant on a remote island where the acclaimed chef has prepared a lavish tasting menu, along with some shocking surprises.
The atmosphere is truly the elevated piece of the film and is all about establishing both horror and character qualities that take the screen. It’s refined and elitist and feels like satire against the cooking shows that are on television these days. Pretty much all the guests have the same culture that mixes well with the themes of the movie. Between the looks, cinematography, and music with more silence, interluding adds to the uncomfortable disturbance of the movie and lingers quite well.
The storytelling is smart with layers added into a pace that works for the theme of the movie. The Menu contains elements that are one part character focus, one part political commentary, and one part horror that aligns into something that is very engaging to watch. It’s not as one-dimensional or simplified which gives you an elevated character that smashes the ceiling creating a character for us to work against. Even the “heroes” of the story have their own layers which elude the stereotypical horror genre who are idiots to an extent. The horror element is still there, just not in the way you might expect which gives it a more realistic feel. All of these elements create a very artistic story.
I will say for those expecting the shock factor to be gory and disturbing can breathe a sigh of relief. While the film is definitely not something for the weaker constitution, it isn’t the most vivid imagery of people dying that the trailers presented. Sure, there are moments that going to be difficult to watch, but the writers and director have managed to create a movie with a more refined filter than others might have done.
The powerful acting in this film really brings together the writing and the atmosphere of this movie. Every performance is a master chef and the chemistry works brilliantly to bring light to the movie. Anya Taylor-Joy is extraordinary in what she is able to do. She does things so naturally that there is very little acting seen in the movie to be cheesy. Ralph Fiennes does so much for an antagonist in a way that actually makes me like him more than other villains because of the complexity he brings to the character.
Overall, The Menu is indeed an impressive film in terms of the unique approach to the horror genre and how elegant the movie is. It’s a very smart film, that plays well with the topics it sets out to cover while also delivering a great quality of acting that dies everything together. Originality is showcased in the storytelling and that artistic approach is a nice break from the usual elements that these films tend to use. The Menu is a must-see experience that is garnished with quality but may not be as shocking as you might think.
The Menu is now playing in theaters and begins streaming January 3 on HBO Max.
What did you think of the film? Let us know in the comments below.
