Review: 'The Menu' is a bland dish flavored by spicy performances
SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — The Menu
3.5 out of 5 Stars
Director: Mark Mylod
Writers: Seth Riess, Will Tracy
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicholas Hoult
Genre: Horror, Comedy
Rated: R
Studio Synopsis: A young couple travels to a remote island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises.
Review: “The Menu” is the sort of film that finds a group of strangers participating in a traditionally mundane activity where they’d never really interact if it wasn’t for the crisis they are faced with. In this case, the event is a ridiculously over-priced meal that goes in an unexpected direction. The audience is an uninformed observer along for the ride.
We are first introduced to Margot (Anya Taylor-Joy) and Tyler (Nicholas Hoult), a seemingly normal couple. There’s a bit of tension between them. Tyler wants to control the situation. Margot isn’t interested in letting that happen.
The duo are joined by a variety of people who appear to only be connected by wealth. Tyler and Margot don’t quite fit the mold.
Soon we will learn that Margot isn’t supposed to be there at all.
The group travels to an island just remote enough to be exclusive.
Ralph Fiennes stars as Chef Slowik, a legendary and revered figure in the food world. He is equal parts arrogant and dissatisfied. His students/staff are entirely dedicated to him.
Slower’s disdain for his guests is readily apparent. It is echoed throughout the evening and its dishes.
“The Menu” isn’t particularly frightening and the tension isn’t quite as intense as it should be. None of the characters are particularly likable. Even Margot is so rough around the edges that it isn’t guaranteed that you’ll warm to her. Still, there’s just enough intrigue to keep things interesting and the cast, despite their prickly characters, is quite good.
If you’re looking for something caught between a character drama and a gruesome horror you’ll find it in “The Menu.”