The Menu

Directed by Mark Mylod, The Menu follows an assortment of wealthy characters, including Nicholas Hoult’s Tyler, Janet McTeer’s Lillian, and Anya Taylor-Joy’s Margot, as they arrive at a remote, highly-regarded restaurant run by an eccentric, feared figure named Julian Slowik (Ralph Fiennes). Filmmaker Mylod, working from Seth Reiss and Will Tracy’s screenplay, delivers a slow-burn endeavor that admittedly (and effectively) captures the viewer’s interest right from the get-go, as the movie boasts an almost inherently compelling premise that’s heightened by an irresistibly mysterious atmosphere and plethora of first-class performances – with, in terms of the latter, Fiennes’ commanding turn as the intimidating Slowik, which is matched by his various costars, certainly perpetuating the exceedingly engaging vibe. And although the less-than-subtle bent of Reiss and Tracy’s script is sometimes a little tough to stomach, particularly in the eye-rollingly unconvincing climactic stretch, The Menu‘s impossible-to-predict narrative, coupled with its smattering of electrifying sequences, ensures that it remains compulsively watchable for the duration of its appropriately brisk running time.

*** out of ****