The Menu is a 2022 dark comedy directed by Mark Mylod, from a screenplay by Seth Reiss and Will Tracy. Mylod is best known for his directorial work in television, having worked behind the camera on hit shows like Game of Thrones, Shameless, and Succession.

A couple (Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult) travel to a coastal island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef (Ralph Fiennes) has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises.

The cast includes Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicholas Hoult, Ralph Fiennes, John Leguizamo, Judith Light, Hong Chau, Janet McTeer, Paul Adelstein, Rob Yang, Mark St. Cyr, Arturo Castro, and Peter Grosz.

The Menu made its debut in theaters on November 18th, courtesy of Searchlight Pictures.

THE GOOD

When the first trailer for The Menu dropped I was floored, simple as that. I mean first and foremost, the cast was just insane. Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Nicholas Hoult, I mean that is a recipe for success. Plus a supporting cast full of familiar faces just to round things out. Add in the ridiculous production value and a seemingly creative premise, and it was clear this was destined to be something special. I was beyond excited and I knew that nothing was stopping me from seeing The Menu on opening night. So, did it live up to my expectations? Keep reading to find out!

I knew I was going to love this movie, but somehow it was even better than I could have anticipated. I’m not even sure how to explain it, but as strange as it is to say The Menu just hit home for me in some way. Maybe it is the fact that I have worked in several restaurants in my life so I could relate to it, or more specifically that I have worked in a Five Star restaurant where the Chef was as mysterious as he was intimidating. High-end restaurants are no joke, and as insane as this movie is at times, so much of it is rooted in the reality of that world. The mystique that is created around this unique dining experience the characters in the film embark on is equally fascinating and exhilarating, and had me on the edge of my seat from the start. The cast was amazing, and The Menu is one of those rare films that sort of gives you bits and pieces of perspective from all of the characters, allowing the film to feel a bit more well-rounded compared to the traditional leads with a supporting cast. Everyone in the film matters to the story and how things play out, and let me just say the tension that builds always feels like it could boil over at any moment.

I touched on the quality of the cast briefly but I have to dig a bit deeper. First, Ralph Fiennes is undoubtedly the star of the show. Even though he has a ridiculous filmography dating back to the iconic 1993 drama Schindler’s List, I feel like as an actor he is still somehow underrated. He is easily one of the most versatile actors working today, but he seems to really shine when he plays serious characters with a certain amount of mystery surrounding them. I don’t know if The Menu will get the awards recognition it deserves, but Fiennes should absolutely be in the conversation for best actor in my opinion. He becomes his character, and is the primary reason why this film works so well. Outside of Fiennes the primary cast consists of Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult. Taylor-Joy and Hoult are amazing in this movie, and part of the intrigue is the questions surrounding their relationship. Viewers are given breadcrumbs as the film progresses, but the chemistry between the two talented actors helps to get viewers invested in the story. I’m a big fan of both actors, and I would have to say that I was equally impressed by their performances here.

Now I mentioned how the supporting cast plays a pivotal role in the story, and we are treated to a great mix of talented actors and actresses in these roles. I won’t be able to talk about each individually because we would be here all day, but the core of the supporting cast that impressed me the most was my guy John Leguizamo whos character I really enjoyed, Hong Chau who was terrifyingly good in her role, along with Janet McTeer and Paul Adelstein. Rounding out the terrific supporting cast is Rob Yang, Mark St. Cyr, Arturo Castro, and Peter Grosz, just to name drop a few more. Just trust me when I say each and every person who played a role in this film, no matter how small, deserves a round of applause.

Who is director Mark Mylod you ask? I was asking the same question. Interestingly enough, Mylod is best known for his work in television, directing several episodes for hit shows like Game of Thrones, Shameless, and Succession. Now needless to say those three titles alone are enough to make for quite a resume, but the last film he directed was the 2005 dark comedy The Big White, which starred the late Robin Williams, along with Gioavanni Ribisi and Holly Hunter. A unique and quirky film that is actually better than critics will lead you to believe, it gives you an idea of the psyche of Mylod and the fact that he seems to gravitate towards the dark comedy genre. If you are curious, The Big White is currently streaming on Peacock.

As far as his work on The Menu, he was so damn good. His camera work matched the intimate feel of the film perfectly, and it was clear that he was in the zone. It honestly felt like a film that was helmed by a big name director, so good on him. I have to talk about the screenplay which was as delicious as a juicy and perfectly marinated piece of prime rib. A collaboration between Emmy-winning writer Will Tracy and Emmy-nominated writer Seth Reiss, the creativity and relevance to the draining, emotionally and physically, and often thankless service industry is spot on. I didn’t quite expect the story to have such tremendous depth, but it really makes you think and even touches on class and social hierarchy. Plus as dark as it can be at times, The Menu had me laughing out loud more times than I could count.

THE BAD

The Menu is amazing, simple as that. As far as the films identity and what it set out to accomplish, I personally believe it is damn near perfect. With that being said it is a dark comedy and requires viewers to fully invest themselves in the overall tone of the film. Perhaps I enjoyed it even more because of my experience in the restaurant industry, but I am hard pressed to think anyone could criticize what was accomplished here.

THE VERDICT

A thought provoking and immersive dark comedy with a heavy dose of satire brought to life by a superbly talented cast, The Menu is an absolute delicacy of a film and easily one of my favorite movies of the year. I am honestly still in shock, and I can’t remember the last time an hour and 45 minutes flew by so fast. When the screen went black I actually had to look at my phone to confirm that it was in fact over. From the opening scene to the final act, The Menu is never boring and makes for an experience you won’t soon forget. I was also pleasantly surprised by how funny the film was. I actually learned a lot believe it or not and found myself wanting to up the ante as far as my own culinary skills, but I won’t be boarding any boats destined for a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience anytime soon. Bottom line this movie is so damn good, and just bonkers in all the best ways. I cannot wait to see it again.

As Ralph Fiennes says several times throughout the film, it’s all part of The Menu. So on that note, get out to the theater as soon as possible because you do not want to miss this.