The Menu is, in my opinion, suffering from an identity crisis. Is this a horror movie? A social satire? A thriller? It tries to do a lot and doesn't do anything particularly well.
Ralph Finnnes does well in his role as a disturbing executive chef, I enjoyed how he set the tone and the overall feel throughout the movie. Nicholas Holt did well portraying an egotistical, self-absorbed, individual, I look forward to seeing him in a Tom Cruise/Scientology biopic someday. Anya Taylor Joy was underwhelming and played a character that didn't really play to her strengths as an actress.
SPOILERS AHEAD
The movie and tone was great for about the first half. The suicide of the Sous Chef was alarming and had me intrigued, Tyler's test in cooking was stressful and tragic. Other points after that rung rather dull. The "fight scene" between ATJ's character and the Maitre D felt incredibly forced, and looked the same as any heroine vs killer fight in a horror movie.
The satire of rich food culture was muddled, at times it seemed like they were for it, at times against. Ultimately the ultra rich pay crazy amounts of money for the "food experience" but actually just want the sweet embrace of death because money can't buy happiness unless it's a $9.95 cheeseburger made by Ralph Finnes.
Which wasn't really the message I thought we'd arrive at in the end but, here we are.
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