At the SCAD Savannah Film Festival, Contributor, Claire Lefort had the opportunity to review The Menu, which was not publicly out, now out and no longer under review embargo we are able to share their thoughts on the film
Written by Claire Lefort
When it comes to setting the table of a Michelin Star restaurant, every piece has a purpose- an
intention destined to them by the cook. Every silver fork, every crystal glass, and as Chef Slowik
has it, every unbearable person too. In this gritty satirical thriller, The Menu provides a
seat-gripping storyline heightened through the superb work of a tenacious cast, reminding us of
the most delectable taste of all: revenge.
The film starts with Margot (Anya Taylor-Joy) and Tyler (Nicholas Hoult), a couple preparing
to enjoy one of the most exquisite dining experiences in their lives. Right off the bat, the
audience is put on edge through the subtlety of character dynamics and actions, despite nothing
inherently raising any red flags. This credit directly goes to the chef’s professional and stoic
staff, in particular his right-hand woman, Elsa (Hong Chau). Her duties entail hosting the guests
and providing nothing but the best customer service, within reason. As the night proceeds,
tensions not only rise but shoot through the roof as Chef Slowik (Ralph Fiennes) reveals his true
purpose for tonight’s meal. Everyone will die.
Each person cast in this film undoubtedly brought a distinct level of commitment, specificity, and
truth to their roles. Ensemble-heavy films can be a challenge, but a clear understanding of tone
and intention is visible in every performance. The comedy is achieved honestly, revealing a
certain charm to deadpan delivery mixed with unimaginable circumstances. There’s no dipping
into this piece- you’re either all in or all out. Beginning with our leading lady, Anya Taylor-Joy is cynical, smart, and cunning.
Her character acts as a vessel for the audience, the only seemingly normal one in the room. Margot is one of us, one of the service workers of the world, so we follow her through thick and thin every step of the
way. Her boldness, intelligence, and strength make her an impactful protagonist and someone
you want to root for to the very end.
Funnily enough, despite Ralph Fiennes’ character being the supposed villain of the story, he’s also someone you want to see succeed. The brilliance behind Feinnes is his ability to reveal humanity in twisted character motives, making them real, genuine needs. There wasn’t a single moment in this film where I felt like he was undeserving, especially in his scenes with Taylor-Joy. Their performance together was utterly captivating and vulnerable. Slowik’s remorse for Margot is clear- his dealings are not with those who live in struggle, who work in service, and who do what they can to survive. Instead, his hatred lies within the top class and the privilege they live in. The overconsumers. The overindulges. Most of all, the ruiners of passion and craft.
Fiennes is intimidating, powerful, and entirely in control. His presence on film is nothing short of harrowing and riveting all tied up in one. Nicholas Hoult and Hong Chau also provide performances worth noting. To be frank, Hoult’s character is frustrating. He acts selfishly throughout the entire film, but to an extent, there is a payoff. Hoult’s ability to slowly peel back the layers of Tyler was fascinating to watch and difficult to digest. Chau’s command is more than a little satisfying. Her nonchalant demands and expectations are sometimes met with haste, yet she never loses. It’s thrilling to watch a character in service stand up for themselves without the fear of punishment, as she is simply carrying out her duties. The roles are reversed for once and the audience is left to relish in Elsa’s condescending nature.
Will Tracy and Seth Reiss created a complex story filled with complex characters, leaving the audience stunned, somewhat victorious, and hungry. This film not only provides commentary on the overconsumption of content but points a direct arrow at the ones who are the problem. My hope from this film is that more material is made about the terrifying truth of income inequality- enough so that some sort of change and major conversation can be sparked. It’s a difficult pill to swallow, but the issue will only get worse. Keep in mind that there’s strength in numbers, and The Menu has left me famished. Eat the Rich.
