Director: Mark Mylod
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult
‘A Captivating Satire’
Not many actors in Hollywood are as beloved as Nicholas Hoult. Since his rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Hoult has turned into a celebrated icon. Whether it’s mad road warriors, jurors or favourite political figures, Hoult has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Hoult’s best strength as an actor has always been his bold commitment. He’s one of those actors that has often poured his heart and soul into each role. An actor that’s underrated, Hoult has created several unforgettable movies which definitely deserve to be appreciated. An entertainment icon, Hoult has always played each and every role in his career through strong commitment. An actor with an uncanny ability to transform into every character, Hoult has become a star that audiences treasure. Through his abilities to play characters that prove to be compelling, Hoult has made a strong legacy that’s lasting. Throughout a legendary career, the actor has made several unforgettable movies which are worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Hoult and adore all the films he has produced in his career. However, “The Menu” is definitely my favourite. Ever since its release in 2022, Nicholas Hoult’s iconic movie has stood the test of time as a classic. Packed with breathtaking production-design, riveting storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s a bold classic about chefs. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Nicholas Hoult, who embodies a luxurious man embarking upon a journey toward a restaurant. Ultimately, what makes “The Menu” a captivating classic is its strong message. The film delivers a profound message about capitalism which will resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with the culinary industry to recognize it. Although “The Menu” is undeniably riveting, it isn’t a flawless film. It builds to an over the top ending that lacks subtlety. Nevertheless, it offers exhilarating entertainment that fans of Nicholas Hoult definitely would not be able to resist.
“The Menu” tells the story of a couple going on a journey to a restaurant located in a remote island. Nicholas Hoult embodies Tyler, a high class businessman that has a love for cooking. Assisted by his girlfriend Margot (Anya Taylor-Joy), Tyler embarks on a journey to a luxurious restaurant located on a remote island. Facing excitement, Tyler is excited by the prospect of going to a restaurant where he can consume tasty food. However, Tyler’s hopes are ruined when he discovers the restaurant is a source of disaster. Chef Slowik (Ralph Fiennes) who is responsible for running the lush restaurant is a psychopath. As Tyler experiences a dilemma, he begins questioning whether it’s possible to achieve goals he is chasing. Discovering that the restaurant isn’t what he thought it would be, Tyler questions whether it’s truly possible to achieve prosperity.
Mark Mylod is a newcomer towards themes of chefs. Before he directed “The Menu”, Mylod had never directed a movie about the culinary industry before. It was the director’s first ever attempt to capture the lives of chefs enduring barriers but he succeeded immensely. Using spellbinding cinematography, Mylod captures a couple embarking on a journey to a strange restaurant. Visually, the movie is a feast for the eyes which is as stunning as dishes which chef Slowik seeks to organize. Mylod successfully uses montages that capture a chef organizing dishes that are delicious in a restaurant that’s terrifying. For instance, montages enhance the restaurant scene. During this enjoyable scene, Chef Slowik designs dishes of food in his local restaurant which are appetizing. One admires montages capturing chefs constructing dishes that are appetizing. Montages are complicated techniques to use in movies. As George Miller’s “Mad Max: Fury Road” suggested, montages elevate action blockbusters. Nevertheless, it works tremendously in this movie. Through engaging visuals, Mylod captures restaurants that are terrifying.
Another admirable aspect of “The Menu” that merits appreciation is the production-design. From a technical perspective, the movie is very well made. Mylod effectively uses production-design to capture restaurants facing a decline. Throughout the film, the production-design of the restaurant plays a crucial role in the film. Whether it’s ominous bathrooms or luxurious tables, the set-design plays a crucial role in the movie. For instance, the production-design enhances the fourth course scene. During this dazzling scene, Chef Slowik delivers a strong monologue about the mess that chefs make in their lives. One appreciates production design capturing the lives of chefs in restaurants that face a decline. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Colin Stetson’s music gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden which chefs in local restaurants bear. Through strong production, Mylod captures the lives of chefs which craft delicious dishes with dedication.
Storytelling is one of the key reasons why “The Menu” is a classic that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses strong symbolism capturing the lives of chefs which face a decline. Mylod’s screenwriting strength is capturing the tensions faced by chefs that design dishes through symbolism. Throughout the movie, Mylod effectively uses symbolism of the restaurant to capture the struggles faced by chefs facing class disparity. For instance, the symbolism of the restaurant enhances the angel scene. During this disturbing scene, chef Slowik surprises the audience in the luxurious restaurant by the death of a fallen Angel. One admires symbolism capturing the struggles of chefs seeking prosperity. Symbolism is a tricky technique to use in films. As Yorgos Lanthimos’ “The Favourite” claimed, symbolism enhances period pieces about majesty queens. Jonathan Levine’s “Warm Bodies” suggested symbolism elevates zombie movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through an engaging screenplay, Mylok captures chefs experiencing a price to pay.
One admires amazing performances.
Nicholas Hoult delivers one of his best career performances as Tyler. Hoult achieved praise for playing boys seeking to discover identities. With “The Menu”, however, he took on his most dark role. It isn’t easy to embody the persona of a man that embarks on a journey towards a luxurious restaurant, but he succeeded. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: charming, funny and frightening in his most emotional role. Hoult has spent most of his career playing intense men in serious dramas. With “The Menu”, however, he took upon his most hilarious role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, desperation and strong charisma of a man embarking on a journey to a luxurious restaurant. It’s a bold performance from one of the most talented actors working today.
Ralph Fiennes is fantastic as a psychotic chef that designs a menu with consequences that are catastrophic. Fiennes has often been one of those actors with an aptitude for portraying psychopathic villains, and “The Menu” found him at his best. As Chef Slowik, Fiennes used his engaging body language to create a bold chef. Whether he’s intimidating guests in his restaurant through his presence or designing a dish that’s delicious, Fiennes effectively uses his body language to create a chef which is frightening. It’s a phenomenal performance by one of the most talented actors working in the film industry today.
Finally, “The Menu” will earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing the hardships which chefs go through. Unlike most films about the culinary industry, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. The film tackles bold themes including identity, mental health and trauma which would resonate with everyone. The film delivers a profound message about trauma which would definitely strike a chord with everyone. Therefore, “The Menu” is one of those rare movies about the culinary industry everyone would value.
Despite its universal appeal, however, “The Menu” can’t quite capture delicious dishes which audiences value. If there’s a minor drawback to the movie, it suffers from an uneven ending. It’s an ambiguous ending without a strong resolution which fails to create a satisfying conclusion. Assisted by Colin Stetson’s engaging score, Mylod keeps the movie moving at an engaging pace during its first hour. However, once the film enters its finale it starts to lose steam and test the viewer’s patience. Whereas this ending elevated Clint Eastwood’s “Juror #2”, it feels out of place in this movie. At worst, it perpetuates the harmful message that chefs can easily get away with committing crimes without facing a price to pay. Therefore, “The Menu” falls short.
Nevertheless, fans of Nicholas Hoult would enjoy “The Menu” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A bold classic about the culinary industry, it honours an actor that has built a legacy which is iconic,
A captivating portrait of psychotic chefs designing a menu that’s too good to be true with negative consequences that come through, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge fan following for his ability to portray characters that are compelling whose engaging movies that have always managed to seize the attention of audiences are definitely worthy of value.
4.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 