Spoilers for The Menu ahead.
The Menu is a dark comedy-horror about the perils of wealth and frivolity – and it’s taking the world by storm. Written by Glass Onion’s Seth Reiss and Will Tracy, and produced by none other than Will Ferrell, the film was bound to be a hit and has been shocking and confusing British cinema-goers since its release in late November.
The ensemble cast is chock-full of big names, but of course, Anya Taylor-Joy steals the show with the spirit she brings to her character, Margot Mills. Though it starts slow and takes a minute to warm up, the film takes audiences on a twisty-turny journey ending in a crescendo of flames (literally), with everyone asking, ‘What just happened?’
Even if you don’t fully get it, it’s incredible just to watch Anya Taylor-Joy in her element, serving looks with her Queen’s Gambit signature red hair. Here's everything you need to know about The Menu, including major plot points, who else is in the cast, and how fans have reacted to the most unhinged moments.
What is The Menu about?
The Menu follows a young couple, Tyler and his date Margot Mills, as they travel to the remote Hawthorne Island for an exclusive restaurant experience organised by celebrity chef Julian Slowik who also owns the private island. They are joined by posh food critic Lillian and her editor Ted; loaded regulars Richard and Anne; legacy movie star George and his assistant Felicity; venture capitalist business bros Soren, Dave and Bryce, and Julian’s unnamed alcoholic mother.
Upon arrival at the Island, the group is given a tour where it becomes clear that Margot is not supposed to be on the trip, and she’s also completely unmoved by the pomp and circumstance of the five-star dining world, much to the annoyance of her date. Chef Julian begins the meal with an ominous speech and introduces a series of tiny-plate courses, each accompanied by an unsettling monologue.
As the night goes on, it’s revealed that Chef Julian’s plans go far beyond just feeding his patrons, and he begins to expose each of their sordid secrets while perturbed by uninvited and uninterested guest Margot who seems to be throwing him off his game and making complaints about the food and peculiarly personalised service.
After starring in the second most-watched English speaking show on Netflix, Joy discusses how the show arrived at a tough point in her career.
What are the best fan reactions to The Menu?
Viewers have been going crazy in the aftermath of The Menu, especially since the ending and overall significance of the plot is kind of unclear. The jury is still out as to whether or not people actually liked the film, but they at least seem interested enough to want to keep talking about it.
One Twitter user said the film is “a lot sharper than folks give it credit for…” while others say it falls just short of really digging into the many complex themes it explores.
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Mostly the Twittersphere has been enjoying creating content out of the movie’s many memeable moments.
Like Margot’s nonchalance:
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Tyler’s simultaneous obsession with and cluelessness about luxury cuisine:
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And the film’s hilariously dark revelations:
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Who stars in The Menu?
Other than Anya Taylor Joy who plays Margot, the cast of the Menu is star-studded with some of Hollywood’s comedy faves. British actor Nicholas Hoult (of Skins and About a Boy fame) plays Margot’s escort Tyler. He’s joined by fellow Brits Ralph Fiennes, who is best known for playing Voldemort in the Harry Potter series, and Janet Mcteer who stars in Ozark and The Woman in Black amongst other things.
You might recognise Hong Chau from HBO shows such as The Watchmen and Big Little Lies, she plays Elsa in the Menu, the restaurant’s Maître d'hôtel with a massive chip on her shoulder. Dominican-American actress Aimee Carrero plays PA Felicity and has starred most recently in Apple Christmas film Spirited and Netflix’s Maid.
Hollywood veteran’s Judith Light (from Lady Killer, Ugly Betty and The Politician), Paul Adelstein (Prison Break, Memoirs of a Geisha and Scrubs), Reed Birney (House of Cards) and John Leguizamo (Ice Age, John Wick and Moulin Rouge) round off the cast nicely and are supported by Broad City’s Arturo Castro and Rob Yang from succession.
Where is The Menu streaming?
You can still catch The Menu in selected cinemas like the Picturehouse, Odeon, Vue and Everyman for the full big screen experience.If you’re too cosy to leave the couch however, don’t worry because The Menu is now streaming on HBO Max (for VPN owners only) and Disney+ which you can subscribe to on a rolling contract for £7.99 a month.
