Synopsis
The Menu is a 2022 American black comedy horror film, it’s directed by Mark Mylod and written by Seth Reiss and Will Tracy. It is based on an original story created by Tracy and produced by Adam McKay, Betsy Koch, and Will Ferrell. The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Ralph Fiennes as a renowned celebrity chef, Hong Chau as his assistant, and Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicholas Hoult, Janet McTeer, Reed Birney, Judith Light, and John Leguizamo as diners at his exclusive restaurant.
The focus of the movie is on a group of affluent diners who travel to a private island to dine at Julian Slowik’s upscale restaurant, Hawthorne. However, nobody is aware of the brilliant chef’s intentions for tonight. After all, the arrogant chef has spent years pushing the frontiers of exquisite dining and taste. The host can now finally present his masterpiece.
Interpretation
The Menu talks about the never-ending need for the upper class to satisfy themselves, the difference between givers and takers of the world, and the loss of passion for one’s craft. It was an amazing performance by Ralph Fiennes. The movie brought up very interesting themes from the writers Seth Reis and Will Tracy.
From the start, we hear about how exclusive this event is, (it being on it’s own island and all) which immediately puts those those who are able to attend in an elite category. Chef Slowik’s view of the elites is stated in the movie and it paints a picture of the society we live in now. Slowik explains that he’s a victim of his own success. Buy cooking for the elites. He has lost the passion that he once had. Those that have many don’t appreciate the details and it was the love of the details that made him enjoy serving people.
Margot was an unexpected guest for this exclusive island experience. Her being the anomaly causes Slowik to decide which side she is on. Either she is a giver or a taker. It is only through getting to know Margot more that they decide which side she belongs to.
The movie shares similar elements to another film that was released in 2022, Knives Out: Glass Onion. From having a private island to the ensemble cast. However, this film was very fresh in terms of the message that it’s attempting to relay. Overall I found watching the film to be a refreshing experience and most certainly a film I would recommend.
