The Menu(2022)(Review)[Weirdo Wednesday]

There is a fine line between perfection and madness – especially when it comes it art. Some of my favorite movies usually involve an artist who is attempting to transcend through their products, often at the cost of everything they hold dear. Back in November, a new movie hit theaters in a big way and creeated a lot of buzz.

‘The Menu’ is a biting satirical comedy about a masterclass chef named Chef Slowik (Ralph Fiennes) who invites the rich out to his private island for an evening of absolute culinary perfection. The plates range in courses and variety and usually involve a sort of dinner theater-esque wrap around. Seats usually cost about $1,250 a piece and it’s a massively long wait list. Here, we follow Margot (Anya Taylor Joy) & Tyler (Nicholas Hoult) who have the chance of a lifetime to get the experience. Tyler is an absolute food crazy fan, while Margot seems to just be there as company – she has absolutely no idea what the hubbub is all about. Everyone they share the restaurant with are different forms of high class snobbery – from actors who lie about their connections, to meta food critics who can’t seem to enjoy the passion behind food, to repeat customers, and many other archetypes. What they don’t know is that there is something very special about tonight’s event, something that will go down in history.

It’s a very fascinating movie that combines a large multitude of things – food porn, tension & mystery, the artist trying to achieve a level of unattainable, and a few slews of interesting violence. It’s not exactly a horror film, it’s definitely more of just a thriller, but it’s extremely enjoyable. The characters all work well together, the chef is an absolute loveable maniac, and the entire island and staff itself are fascinating and continue to set up further mystery and tension.

There’s been a lot of positive talk about this film since it’s release, and I absolutely tip my hat in their favors. It’s a blast of a good time that certainly didn’t go in a direction I was expecting. Each course is painstakingly planned and they all accrue into a finely tuned gourmet of giving these people more than they bargained for.

It’s mean spirited, it reveals it’s ultimate goal before the halfway point, and I absolutely loved it. Do yourself a favor and check this one out if you already haven’t.

4.5/5
“The Menu” is currently streaming on HBO Max & in theaters.

‘Til Next Time,
Mike Cleopatra