It’s not often I find myself pleasantly surprised when watching a film. I often go in with expectations, and as I watch these expectations shift as I amend them with predictions. In fact, I can’t remember the last film I watched where I didn’t try to guess what would happen next or how it would end. The Menu, however, was unlike any film-viewing experience I have had in recent memory. I went in thinking, this is going to be one of those comedic dinner mysteries in the line of Glass Onion or a comedic thriller/horror like Red State. I was off by a bit, but more importantly, I had (for once) simply enjoyed the film without predicting the ending. I want to be clear that this was not by choice. The film kept me on the edge of my seat and ensnared my focus with such fortitude that I hadn’t been able to take a moment to predict anything.
It is hard for me to analyze or describe exactly what it was about this film I enjoyed so much. The premise of guests on a remote island being tormented and killed is not unfamiliar. “Eat the rich” and “servants’ revolt” tropes are not new concepts. Even the deaths were not anything innovative. But, somehow, it was an amazing film. If anything The Menu proves that we don’t need to shake the originality faery until her wings give out to come out with a masterful piece of art. I would not describe this movie as original, but I will advocate for it being well done. This movie has impressed me so much that I felt compelled to look up the director as I did not recognize his name. His name is Mark Mylod, and he seems to have directed a few TV favourites of mine (Game of Thrones, Shameless, and Entourage), but this is his first film I’ve watched, and my only wish is that he makes more.
One example of how this was a well-made thriller was the comedic aspects. Typically in thriller comedies, there are build-ups of tension, and then something funny will happen to shift the mood. Surprisingly, this film had a few moments of dark humour that tickled me, but not once did these chuckles threaten the integrity of the suspense felt throughout the film. The balance between tension and comedy equated to a harmonic thriller/satire.
Ultimately, the acting was the sauce that really brought the dish together. Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult were the perfect choices to play the mysterious young couple, and John Leguizamo was clearly having fun playing the role of the diva movie star. In fact, all the characters felt natural in their role; my personal favorite was Ralph Fiennes as the oh-so-serious culinary genius.
On all fronts, I would have to say that this movie delivers. The script was clever and engaging, the cinematography was breathtakingly beautiful, the casting was on point, the acting felt natural and believable, the soundtrack was essential to the experience, and once more for good measure, the directing was masterful. From start to finish, this was true, for me, a movie well done, and perfectly seasoned.
