THE MENU

DIRECTED BY MARK MYLOD

The Menu finds a group of interesting characters traveling to one of the world's most exclusive restaurants. Tyler and Margo are among the guests, and we shortly find out that Tyler brought Margo as a replacement for another date that stood him up. The island has an unnerving atmosphere to it, and the staff of the restaurant, led by the intimidating Chef Slowik, add to this feeling. As the evening unfolds the various courses start including increasingly sinister elements, and it becomes abundantly clear that the guests have a far more eventful night in store than they bargained for.

The acting performances in this movie are outstanding. Ralph Fiennes perfectly embodies the menacing Chef Slowik, while still letting there be enough glimpses into the humanity of the character, so as to not fully lose sympathy for his motivations. Anya Taylor Joy, playing Margo, is tasked with acting up against Fiennes, and despite the tall order of matching an actor of his stature, Anya proves more than worthy of the task. Nicholas Hoult should also be mentioned as his rendition of Tyler is well acted, and a couple of the scenes featuring him and Anya playing off each other are highlights of the movie. The rest of the cast also turn in compelling performances.

The cinematography and set design are two of the best aspects of The Menu. The majority of the movie is set inside the restaurant which is a completely open area – all the tables are in the same room and the kitchen is not fully separated from the dining room. The setting makes for some interesting shots that have great depth to them. The amount of time spent in this one room also gives the viewer a nearly claustrophobic feeling as the night starts to spiral out of control. When other settings are used, they also feel well thought out and appropriate. The lighting and camera work are both very well done.

The writing is for the most part very good. The amount of time given to each table and character is particularly impressively distributed, as all the characters feel flushed out to the necessary degree. This is done stylishly, so there is no sense of it being forced or it just being something the audience is rushed through. The best writing is however featured in the intricate back and forth between Margo and Slowik, as well as occasionally between Margo and Tyler.

I do have a few noteworthy critiques of The Menu. You can get the feeling that the movie believes that its commentary is quite deep, but in reality, the overall message of the movie isn’t all that profound. Furthermore, some of the minor characters in the film do sometimes feel a bit flat.

All in all, you should watch The Menu expecting a thrilling movie that will have you on the edge of your seat and leave a strong impression. The movie will not change your outlook on life or tell you something you had never thought of, but it will certainly give you a great and entertaining time.

DAVID THOMASSEN