The Menu (2022)

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

I just went and saw this movie after checking the mostly positive reviews here. Now I believe most of the reviews to likely be fake. This is not a good movie at all. It’s not funny, it’s not scary, and it’s not exciting in any way shape or form. And the acting is really very bad. I appreciate opinions differ, but come on people, this movie definitely does not deserve a 7.5. After seeing it, I wouldn’t even recommend to watch it if it were free. Such a big disappointment. All this nonsense about satire of the elite and it having some kind of deep meaning. I wish! It’s simply not a good movie in any way shape or form.

This movie was a good surprise. And not to break the effect I will try to be as evasive as possible. What you need to know is that foodies, critics, stars, etc. Are going to diner on an island, where they will be served a menu that will be revealed to them by the intriguing chef. You meet Margot and Tyler, as what looks like a couple unhappy with each other, waiting for the boat to the island. Tyler is as pretentious as it is possible to be, and Margot just wants to enjoy life how she wants. You then meet the rest of the cast, up to the chef and his brigade. And I will stop any description of the movie from then. All you need to know is that you will see a thriller, that is encompassing a few wrongs of the western society. Anya Taylor-Joy is amazing as always, and holds the whole cast on her shoulders. The movie is beautiful, and well made. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.

Strikingly original – at least this didn’t just rely on the cheap cannibalism storyline that was so ripe for the taking. At the halfway point, the story goes for the juggler (depressed chef), which was shockingly bold and had me wondering where it could go from there. The fallen angel scene was great too, but shouldn’t have had any music. Hearing the screams fade would have been more powerful.

Where the film loses me is with the coastguard. I hated the twist. Instead of somewhat rooting for the chef or at least understanding his frustrations, this scene revealed him to be a vengeful and cruel jerk. And the s’mores ending was just boring and anticlimactic. Movies like this have to stick the landing, and this didn’t.

Still it was often hilarious. Especially the scene when Nicholas Hohlt’s character tried to cook.

Yes – check it out, but no it’s not brilliant. It thinks it is.