HCA Gradebook: “The Menu”

Movie: The Menu
Plot: 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.
Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicholas Hoult, Hong Chau, John Leguizamo, Judith Light, and Janet McTeer
Director: Mark Mylod
Release Date: November 18, 2022
Studio: Searchlight Pictures
Number of Graders: 30
HCA Overall Grade: A-

Rama Tampubolon says, “The Menu was a brilliant, wickedly funny, anti-capitalist dark comedy that took eat-the-rich to heart. A movie with a devilish sense of humor. Anya Taylor-Joy mesmerized and Ralph Fiennes scared the shit out of me.”

Grade: A+

Jami Philbrick says, “The Menu serves up a wickedly delicious comedy. Director Mark Mylod delivers a dark but juicy comedy featuring excellent performances from Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Fiennes and the entire cast.”

Grade: A

Chauncey K. Robinson says, “The standout performance goes to Ralph Fiennes as the mysterious Slowik. Is he a sinister figure whom the audience should hate and root against, or is he the anti-hero society has been waiting for? The Menu gives no clear answers, as all of the characters function in a gray area when it comes to their wants and actions. Fiennes shows us multiple sides of his character in subtle yet effective ways. While Anya Taylor-Joy gives a solid performance as Margot, it really is Fiennes’ movie. Lovers of dark comedies with social bite will enjoy the film. There are many genuinely funny moments. Those who consider themselves “foodies” may either love the self-own The Menu implements, or feel attacked. Either way, it’s a wild ride with interesting twists and turns that luckily maintains its edge all the way through to the very end. Bon appétit!”

Grade: A

Ricky Valero says, “The Menu has one of the years best scripts. It’s a breathe of fresh air in a world that sees plenty of sequels or rehashes of old stories. The ensemble cast from top to bottom deliver including a career-best out of Anya Taylor-Joy.”

Grade: A

Sara Clements says, “From amuse-bouche to perhaps the most epic dessert scene ever captured on film, Mark Mylod’s The Menu delivers a feast that increases in both heat and flavor as the film descends into chaos. Seth Reiss and Will Tracy’s script is immensely flavourful in its comedy as well as in its themes. It’s both a savory ode to the culinary world and the art of cooking and a spicy takedown of those who disrespect service workers. The film’s titular menu is crafted like a play. Painstakingly planned by its chef playwright and whose dinner guests have been selected just as carefully. The guests are the chef’s ingredients, and the audience is in for a culinary treat.”

Grade: A

Matthew Creith says, “The story of The Menu isn’t entirely on display through the dramatic turn the film takes after the guests begin to eat. The madness is slowly presented with offbeat ludicrous tones to the point that you keep trying to guess who the true villains of this movie are. It is wildly entertaining, deranged as all get out, and true to form as one of the best satires in recent memory.”

Grade: A

Ema Sasic says, “A deliciously diabolical feast that kept me on the edge of my seat and wanting s’more (if you know you know). Ralph Fiennes and Anya Taylor-Joy are an absolute treat to watch go head-to-head, and Hong Chau is incredibly wicked. The less you know the better. Bon appetit!”

Grade: A

David Gonzalez says, “The Menu offers a multi-course savory meal that scathes the elite, current social dynamics, and consumerism. A satirical feast that delivers on laughs, gore & twists that makes this culinary experience a fulfilling & satisfying delight. Anya Taylor-Joy & Ralph Fiennes are *chefs kiss.*”

Grade: A

Scott Menzel says, “The Menu is a deliciously dark comedy that will not appeal to everyone’s tastebuds. The story pokes fun at food snobs and entitled rich people, while celebrating a good cheeseburger. The ensemble cast is fantastic but Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Fiennes & Hong Chau are the ones who earn the Michelin star. One of the most original films 2022 has to offer.”

Grade: A

Rasha Goel says, “The Menu is entertaining but may not appeal to everyone’s taste buds. An artistically captured film tackling on what may be seen as the complexities or simplicities of life. It is a dark and twisted social satire about the consumer driven culture we live in, which no one is spared from. The actors are fun and the film will hold your attention making you wonder what’s next?”

Grade: A-

Alex Billington says, “The satisfaction one can get from watching a film that carefully and intelligently tears down, tears open, and skewers rich people is incomparable. Mark Mylod’s The Menu is a sly, extra sharp satire that isn’t afraid of offering us some dry-aged humor in addition to all the commentary on haute cuisine and wealthy idiocy. It won’t change the world, of course, but it isn’t trying to – it just wants us to walk away feeling satisfied that a film dared to tell a story like this.”

Grade: A-

Ashley Menzel says, “The Menu reminded me of a Yorgos Lanthimos film; weird and violent yet wholly original. It is a film that will stick with you and the more that I think about it, the more I like it.”

Grade: A-

Landon Johnson says, “The Menu is diabolically scrumptious. A tasteful, delicious script that’s beaming with originality and shot with chic style as only Mark Mylod could execute. Anya Taylor-Joy Ralph Fiennes are devilish delights in one of the darkest yet most intriguing films of the year.”

Grade: A-

Abbie Bernstein says, “The Menu ends up being potent both because of the expertise of its makers on both sides of the camera, and because it’s ultimately about things that almost everyone will relate to, both intellectually and viscerally.”

Grade: A-

Jana N. Nagase says, “The Menu was entertaining and deliciously fun to watch. I loved how much the use of the dark comedy to king of attack on elitism in the world of luxury dining and life style. Amazing cast, one the best cast ensemble this year, and great twists. Ralph Fiennes is very good.”

Grade: A-

Dan Murrell says, “There are lots of cliche, well-trodden ways this movie could have gone and it successfully avoids all of them, instead delivering a mix of mystery and social satire, packed with perfectly cast actors. Ralph Fiennes, Nicholas Hoult and Anya Taylor-Joy get the spotlight, but Hong Chau is a standout, sneakily stealing every scene she’s in. Delicious down to the final shot.”

Grade: A-

Fico Cangiano says, “Ralph Fiennes delivers one of the most memorable characters of the year in this solid culinary dark comedy. Funny, flashy and tense, fans surely will be satisfied with this meal.”

Grade: B+

Miriam Spritzer says, “I enjoyed The Menu a lot, but one must embrace the weirdness to really appreciate it. The tension throughout the story is so wonderfully put together that it can keep the audience on edge the whole time. The cast was simply superb. And while the script could be a bit silly at times, it somehow worked if you bought into the long-form joke.”

Grade: B+

Cole Jaeger says, “A dark, funny, juicy roller coaster of a film that relishes in messing with audience expectations. Each performance is a treat, and there’s surprising depth to the dynamic between Fiennes’ Chef Slowik and Taylor-Joy’s Margot. Colin Stetson’s score is fantastic. The script is sharp, witty, and takes us in unexpected directions, making The Menu a highly original and worthwhile moviegoing experience.”

Grade: B+

Daniel Howat says, “The Menu is exactly what I was craving: a clever, sharp thriller, darkly funny and deliciously twisted. It aims its knives at modern art and elitism, crafting a perfectly entertaining black comedy. A movie that knows exactly what it wants to be, and serves just the right bite.”

Grade: B+

Maggie Lovitt says, “The Menu is a delectable dish of revenge, which contrary to Lillian Bloom, is a dish best served cold. With this ensemble cast, Mark Mylod has all the right ingredients to create a memorable experience, and audiences will leave the cinema perfectly satisfied with all its twists and turns. Once you’ve had your fill, there’s no chance that you’ll be asking for s’more.”

Grade: B+

Abe Friedtanzer says, “The Menu sharply skewers those who perceive themselves as elite is a genre-bending horror comedy about diners preparing for the fanciest meal of their lives that will also be their last. The ensemble, led by Ralph Fiennes and Anya Taylor-Joy, features many standouts, and the style of the film complements its enthralling journey to make a perfectly-structured full-course meal of a movie.”

Grade: B+

Zoë Rose Bryant says, “The Menu is a vibrantly vicious, gloriously gripping, and absurdly amusing evisceration of the elite from start to finish, but its satire is far sharper than most “eat the rich” movies thanks to a stunningly layered script that subverts your expectations at every turn, instead of going for the easy targets. The entire ensemble excels, though Fiennes is first-rate, and Anya Taylor-Joy makes for a plucky and personable protagonist.”

Grade: B+

Nicholas Spake says, “The clever script by Seth Reiss and Will Tracy could’ve functioned as a play given the limited setting. However, director Mark Mylod brings a cinematic touch that makes a single dining room feel simultaneously vast and claustrophobic. Each course keeps you guessing with the best saved for dessert. The resolution serves as a hilarious punch line and a testament to one character’s street smarts. If there’s a phrase that gets tossed around far too much in film criticism, it’s “chef’s kiss.” Usually, I’ll avoid it, but in The Menu’s case, it’s too appetizing to pass up.”

Grade: B+

Federica Volpe says, “Brilliant idea and very well executed. A dark satire where some moments spark more than others, but overall it is pleasing to watch. No dull moment and visually it’s very enjoyable. Good performances and very interesting interactions between the characters.”

Grade: B

Aaron Neuwirth says, “A fine dark comedy. Fiennes sneakily delivers one of the best comedic performances of the year without resorting to one-liners and big energy.”

Grade: B

Rodrigo Salem says, “A movie that talks about art, human relations, and food without being obvious. But it promises more than it can and delivers less than it should. A fine course that lacks a powerful dessert.”

Grade: B

Mike Manalo says, “The Menu is a crazy, disturbing, and witty horror comedy with a terrifically biting message at the center of it, that ultimately reminds us about the dangers of entitlement, arrogance, and elitism. It’s a movie that shakes you and brings you back down to the reality of how and why elitism is such a danger to the human condition, and reminds us that as people we should probably try to be better. It’s definitely not a movie that’s going to make you feel good about humanity, and it doesn’t always make full use of its cast’s potential. But overall it’s an interesting, tense, and darkly funny good time. In short, this is one meal you won’t be prepared for!”

Grade: B

Nancy Tapia says, “The Menu has rich and exquisite dialogue. Ralph Fiennes and Anya Taylor -Joy make a great duo in their scenes together. The film could have been 15-20 minutes shorter.”

Grade: B

Clarence Moye says, “The Menu has all the ingredients of a great film: strong acting, well written screenplay, fantastic crafts, and solid direction. However, the ingredients don’t really come together into a fully satisfying whole. After everything we’ve been presented, there doesn’t seem to be much subtext/point to the enterprise. It’s yet another satire of the soulless wealthy, but the elite characters aren’t given much backstory to define them. It’s very entertaining and often very funny, but at the end of the day, it still feels like an empty exercise in cinematic calories.”

Grade: B-

The Menu is now playing exclusively in theaters.