Aptly named hit bombards the senses
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A true Hell’s Kitchen, The Menu is a twisted treat from British director Mark Mylod.
In an Agatha Christie-eqsue set-up, 12 guests are invited to a remote island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef has prepared a lavish menu – with some shocking surprises.
Warning signs kick in right from the off as the island is no Glass Onion-like lavish paradise; fallen trees on arrival, a surrounding forest, army barracks-style living quarters for the staff.
To say much more about plot developments would be a disservice to Seth Reiss and Will Tracy’s superlative script.
Ruining palates is seen as a crime, there are stories behind each course served and a lot of whispering into ears as secrets slowly spill out.
And warning, you will be very hungry after watching The Menu as Mylod shoots close-ups of the mouth-watering food and its preparation and tantalises us with ever more hilariously depraved title cards for the courses and their ingredients.
As the sun sets events turn more and more pitch black as Mylod, Reiss and Tracy take you on a journey to unimaginable territory.
It’s all led by a gripping turn by Ralph Fiennes (Chef Slowik) that’s as good as any work he’s delivered – and that’s saying something.
At times calmly talking like a guru as he shares stories including a terrifying Taco Tuesday tale, Fiennes is so chilling he makes Gordon Ramsay look like Taylor Swift.
Just him clapping is like a jump scare and when he says “I know what a bad customer is” it sends more chills down your spine than a line like that has any right to.
The whole cast are glorious, from Nicholas Hoult’s desperate to impress Tyler and Anya Taylor-joy’s perceptive and determined Margot to a clinging on to fame John Leguizamo (Movie Star) and hauntingly loyal Hong Chau (Elsa).
Quite unlike any film I’ve ever seen, The Menu is Masterchef mixed with madness as it not only tantalises your tastebuds, but gets under your skin in all the best ways possible.
●What are your thoughts on The Menu? Should Fiennes be in line for major awards recognition?
Pop me an email at ian.bunting@ reachplc.com and I will pass on your comments – and any movie or TV show recommendations you have – to your fellow readers.
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Rarely has a movie been as aptly named as it bombards the senses for nearly two hours.
This tribute to the classic British portmanteau horrors began life on the stage.
Its creators, Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman, adapt the multi-story tale for the screen, with the latter also starring as sceptic professor Phillip Goodman. Goodman investigates three inexplicable “hauntings”that serve up tension and dread.
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