This movie is honestly executed to absolute perfection. Everyone should go into it completely blind and let it slowly build the tension while feeling like you’re with them in the room until that lightning fast moment where Jeremy pulls the gun out, puts it in his mouth and pulls the trigger. That moment is just such a damn shock to the system that ironically gives life to the movie
It actually annoyed me more than anything, just the thought of having to put up with some bullshit chef like that. That said I'll likely buy it when it comes out on 4K lol
Yeah i just watched it and I’m obsessed!! I went in not really knowing what was going to happen because i missed the moment that this movie was hyped but it shocked me to my core and genuinely made me laugh 😭
After digesting “The Menu”, it's clear it wasn't just a light snack of a film - it was a full-course meal, leaving me completely "stuffed" with dread. Talk about "food for thought!"
i went to culinary school and the chef in this movie i have met this chef the executive chef is god and all the staff and the customer's are there to serve his ego i have no ego so i was never comfortable in that world I learned to be a chef but i decided i'd rather be a be a good cook.
As a retired chef accredited from the CIA (culinary institute of America) I identify with this movie so much. i would cook for Shan for the rest of my life. But we can't get married because she doesn't want to kiss in front of her parents. Lol also she is gorgeous and penguin sized and I look like melted ice cream right now.
The Menu is definitely an Eat-The-Rich film but it also takes shots at foodie culture (ie people who take pics of their food). The director, Mark Mylod, is a producer/writer on the show, Succession. He's well versed in satire and eating the rich. A similar movie that came out around the same time is Triangle of Sadness, which is a bit nastier and it's also a longer film. I prefer The Menu, some prefer Triangle.
I like how you can map the archetypes in this movie onto pretty much any artform, especially filmmaking. All the usual types are here: the obsequious fanboy, the critic, the dull financiers, the blasé consumer, etc. All of them represent some component of the world of creative pursuits that in one way or another sully or defile the work of the artist.
I loved this when it finally came to streaming. I didn't think much from the previews I saw, but was bored one night and figured I'd give it a chance. It became my surprise film of 2022. It was so much better than I expected and I love how it gives off a horror movie vibe at times, but also a lot funnier than I expected. It isn't really a "scary" movie, but by the end the characters have accepted their fate, so it really gives off the initial cult vibe from early on. I just think this is a damn solid movie and Ralph Fiennes is great in it.
Some of you are welcome to think that Chef killed Margot by using over-aged beef in the cheeseburger if you want, but that misses the entire point of that part of the movie. He found such simple joy in making a cheeseburger for her (and she knew that he would-it was her *gambit* if you will). He was able to get in touch with what originally turned him on about preparing food in the first place, making it his only not-devious act in the entire film. He aimed to thoroughly satisfy a guest who never kissed his ass, and did.
So excited you watched this! ❤🍔 Just to clear something up: The older couple with the guy that gets his finger cut off -- you know how the wife asks him at one point, "Doesn't that girl look like Claire?" She's referring to Margo and how she looks like their daughter. When Slowik is talking to Margo about the client who asked her to act like his daughter, they were talking about the guy from that couple. And thats why when the wife asks Margo if she knows her husband, she says yes. Margo had previously escorted for him. I really hope that doesnt sound too condescending or obvious, it just seemed like you missed that part a bit! I wanted to help it make more sense! 💚
Yes, I paused the video to see if someone would make the point that it isn't Tyler she's talking about: within the scope of things, as you point out, it's an important character and plot item.
Love your reviews and trivia. Blew my mind with the 7 deadly sins, it makes the movie even better for me now. I'd love to rewatch it knowing this. I also think the alt ending would be great to see. Keep up the amazing reviews.
The Menu is honestly one of the biggest surprises I've had upon seeing a movie, when my friend first showed it to me, it managed to subvert expectations very well and it kept me hooked as well
I love the implication that Tyler genuinely believes he can just get away with shit. It’s why he went despite knowing they would die - he thought he would be treated differently.
As someone who works in the service industry I loved the fact that this film is a giant F U to bad, spoiled, entitled customers and I enjoyed every uncomfortable moment.
When I watched The Menu I felt it was creepy and unsettling but also cinematic and intriguing. It's quite the movie. Definitely made me resolve to never insult the chefs ever
I have worked many years in a restaurant, and this really reminded me of a lot of my inner dialogue while doing so. "You will eat less than you desire and more than you deserve." No joke intended, but Chef's Kiss.
I sorta feel like this is one we bullied you into reacting to over a few different LIVEs, but I'm so happy you actually liked it. Tyler was one of the most hateable people I've seen in a movie since Percy in The Green Mile.
I think it's important to note that these are actually not all bad people. Asking for substitutions, acting in a bad movie, not remembering meals you've eaten at a fancy restaurant, and not having student loans aren't evils worth being killed over. I think it misses an important aspect of the movie if you gloss over the fact that plenty of the people dying (some of the guests and likely all of the staff who seem brainwashed) aren't justified. It's one man venting with extreme violence and yes, he's lashing out at a couple of deserving targets but also hitting many who aren't.
The restaurant that put Slowik on the map was similar in name to the Greek myth Tantalus. Another RU-vidr, “doctorcanonVO” has an interesting take on the film from their experience being a chef, and more insight to the dishes. The Menu is a good film, I really enjoyed it. Time to make a cheeseburger… Just a well made cheeseburger.
Obviously a lot of the praise for the acting tends to go towards Anya Taylor-Joy and Ralph Fiennes, and they're both excellent no doubt about it (I think Fiennes in particular gives one of the best performances of his career). However, I feel like Hong Chau should get a lot of praise for her work here, Elsa's kind of a small role yet she makes the most out of every scene, threading the line between quietly sinister and a mastery of deadpan comedy (her delivery of "Tortillas delicosas!" is a particular highlight), before showing a surprisingly vulnerable and desperate side to the character in her final scenes. This was the first time I'd seen her in anything (aside from her vocal role in Bojack Horseman), and I'm glad to see she's showing up in more stuff now.
One of the things I love about the movie is that it's a "cheap" movie. This is a movie that could have been a lot cheaper than it was if they decided to go with all (good but) unknown actors. It's all in the script.
I was constantly waiting for the punchline with the food and I have to say I’m very satisfied with how it related to the story instead of some fake shock factor bs like we’ve already seen before.
When I saw the poster, I thought it was a comedy drama film about a food critic and his girlfriend try to oust a world class Chef for being a fraud, then I learned it's a dark comedy horror film. Thanks for this video reaction. My family and I are going through a tough time right now, as my sister's boyfriend, Marvin, passed away Saturday night at the hospital following a motorcycle accident. He was 29 years old.
Super stoked because you’re one of my fav RU-vidrs and I’ve watched a bazillion of Menu reactions. And your reaction to 8:49 (“give us our daily bread”) is all I could ever really ask for in a reactor. Perfection. 😂
All of the reactors I’ve seen don’t catch on to the fact that the older gentleman had hired Margo as a sex worker in the past. Margo was on his tortillas
At the very beginning his wife mentions that Margo/Erin looks like their daughter and when he and Margo see each other, they look away quickly. He wanted her to pretend to be his daughter and watch him jerking off. She explained that part to Slowik. The implications are so much worse than that he just hired an escort.
35:30 no they didn’t lol. Because even as Margot told chef she literally was an escort and that she knew Judith light’s husband because he hired her and told her to tell him he was good and he was her father while he jerked off, you had no idea what was being said
9:58 - Huh, interesting. I recently saw the 1957 version of 12 Angry Men and noticed that Sidney Lumet used that same technique (though mixed in with other types of shots). That's what made it stand out from other films of that era. That intrigues me, I'll see if I can get a copy of this movie.
This was one of the few movie trailers I've ever seen, and thought how crazy it all looked, and once I saw it, turned out to be exactly what I thought it would be. That almost never happens, as most movies are either way worse than the trailer, or way better, but this one turned out right on my expectation line. Solid movie, everyone turned in amazing performances, and while it had it's underlying points to it all, it was done in a way that felt fresh. And Anya is just a pleasure to watch more often than not, so even if someone doesn't like the film, she was worth the watch for me.
3:10 - I know what you mean. It's not so much the "spoil" effect, it's that it gets in the way of the movie *ACTUALLY* starting. You think Hollywood would've taken a cue from George Lucas when he put credits at the end of the movie...WHERE THEY BELONG...and then tore-up his DGA card when they sanctioned him for continuing to do that. 🙄
Eh.. I happen to see the choice of either having opening credits or not as being an artistic choice itself. It depends on the movie whether it's intrusive or not
Oh man, I loved this movie. I love satire and horror but I'm also a foodie - this movie was the perfect mix and it got me to laugh at myself lol. I also love the actors particularly Anya Taylor-Joy and Ralph Fiennes.
If you haven't seen it, you might really like the Nic Cage movie "Pig" from a few years ago. Also the movie "Ready or Not" reminded me a lot of this movie.
Watching You flip when Jeremy ended it and when Dale revealed himself were easily the highlights of this already great review. You being unsure made this an even more fun ride learning as you went. Fantastic review!
Mcdonald's is a food crime, it's not food. I would eat that burger in the movie any day, greasy as it was, over the nonsense fast-food chains produce. 🍔
I saw this in theaters (maybe twice?) and have watched it several times since it came to streaming. I adore this movie. I love the tone, direction. “These are tortillas” 😂
lol That reminds me of the end of The Boondock Saints, where one guy says something like, “Are you losing any sleep about it? Because I’m not!” (Another great movie.)
@@tamarleigh I love that part at the end haha. The people that they interview are all like, hell yes let ‘em kill those guys, it’s good for the community!
No sister, this movie is not a commentary on the rich. It'd be a wonder if you could have a more complex take than that in at least one of your viewings.
I am a big fan of your channel, though I am not your biggest fan like Annie Wilkes (played by Kathy Bates) from Misery. I have a great movie suggestion. Please watch Throw Momma From The Train. It's an old film (1987) and will not be familiar to many younger viewers. Because I have watched your channel a while now I just *know* you will enjoy that movie. PLEASE PLEASE watch and react to it.
8:09 - Considering I'm flat broke, nothing. But, if I *HAD* money...also no! Hell naw! Gimme a good small mom-& pop 'talian restaurant and day of the week! Just as good and way cheaper, best bang for your buck if you ask me.
I wish I could go back in time and go to culinary school instead of A/V Engineering. I'm a damn good cook, taught by both my grannies, one was a baker the other was an Italian immigrant from Enna, Sicily. They both let me help in the kitchen and taught me more than most schools would. Granny Roberts was the Baker but she also made a lot of traditional "meat & potatoes" meals like Shepherd's Pie, Irish Stew, Fish & Chips while Granny Brienza was a traditional Italian cook who took cooking very seriously, no sauce should come out a can or bottle, there is a tomato, cheese and meat for every occasion, mind your spices and KEEP IT SIMPLE!!! My favourite things to cook I learned from Granny Roberts are chicken pot pie and apple fritters, the best things Granny Brienza taught me are traditional Italian and Greek style pizzas and Tiramisu. I'm like them, everything should be made from scratch, except pasta noodles, it's soooooo boring and tedious.
Oysters and lemon mignonette - Common flavors put together that have to be broken down and deconstructed, foreshadowing what happens to the guests. This is meant to be taken as Chef throwing down the gauntlet. Amuse Bouche - More foreshadowing. Charred lace - crater. Milk snow - ash from the fire. Cucumber and melon - the guests. The Island - Scallop on a rock - Chef presenting himself to the guests. Plants - "in the weeds" Breadless bread plate - straight up snarking at picky customers. But you can also make a case for Lilian's plate having a broken emulsion on purpose as his way of saying SHE'S as useless as a broken emulsion. Memory - Self explanatory The Mess - Pressurized vegetables - literal pun. Bone marrow - blood. Beef jus - sweat. Potato confit - tears. Man's Folly - Plum vinegar exists because of Umeboshi, whey plays a vital part in making yogurt, sea kelp and lettuce are what keeps the oceans biome from wreaking havoc. But everyone either doesn't know that or forgets, because they don't taste good, aren't as attractive, or can be very difficult to work with in their natural form. It's the same with women, especially when they try to speak out against unfair treatment like what the chef describes. They get called things like "bottom feeders", like crabs. Final scene with Margot/Erin eating the cheeseburger - She didn't care about giving him peace of mind. She just wanted to survive. And Chef acknowledged that. Using his menu as a napkin - She never believed anything he said for one second. She is, in fact, a taker that knows her worth. And that's why she lived.
"Old", perfect next Movie. "The Menu", all Actors are on Point. I hated Taylor so much for his behavior that i stopped watching before anything was happening. A week after i though i should watch the Rest, and yeah, its a great Movie.
I personally hoped that this movie would've had "The Game" type of ending and like Nicholas Hoult's character said, chef would've told a story with the menu. But I really liked this movie.
From the original script: Lillian wasn't completely exaggerating when she said she put Chef on the map: He had another high end restaurant before Hawthorne, called Tantalus. Got 2 Michelin stars 2 years in, then closed up shop. Isn't heard from again until 3 years later, running a taco truck in Portland. He agreed to the interview only if he could keep his privacy, his own land, and it had to be by the water so he could source his own fish. It's established the movie star has a peanut allergy during the tour, and this turns out to be setup for the menu's eighth course, where Felicity is ordered to force feed him a dish completely comprised of peanuts so as to kill him through anaphylactic shock. Anne (wife of man who paid Margot to look like his daughter while j*cking him off) actually couldn't eat The Island as is due to a shellfish allergy. Hers was salmon. The broken emulsion gag escalates to where the servers literally waterboard Lillian with it. The restaurant has hidden cameras in the dining room, so even if Elsa missed something, it still got caught. The taco truck Chef was running was, according to him, the happiest he'd ever been, but Margot calls him out on it later, asking why he parked his truck at a Food Expo where he KNEW food critics were going to be, if he wanted to be left alone. Man's Folly was supposed to have more details about a woman chef's actual experience in the kitchen, from harassment to stereotypes. The women DO get bread with Man's Folly, and it IS as delicious as promised. You can even see Tyler chewing on bread when Chef comes up to confront him afterwards. Not only did Tyler bring Margot knowing she would die, he sincerely thought Chef was going to spare him. And even when called out on it, he STILL didn't apologize or take it back, because all he cared about was experiencing the menu. Them all coming to the kitchen to watch Tyler screw himself over wasn't originally in the script. They were just supposed to watch from the dining room. Margot makes another bid for her life before being ordered to go get the barrel. Which Chef appreciates enough to tell her so. Margot smiles upon seeing Tyler's hanging. Lillian realizes she's never going to get to write about this last experience, and THAT ends up being her real just desserts. Instead of dropping the ashes to set it all on fire, Chef originally drops a match. The last scene is of firefighters combing through the burnt wreckage, and the very last thing we see is the one photo of Chef as a young man, flipping a burger, but happy.
I did go to culinary school worked in many restaurants this style of cuisine 20 years in the industry Now a bakery manager executive Pastry Chef. At Ensaymada project
The adult s'more: Graham cracker Peanut butter Marshmallow Dark chocolate That present butter adds savory and salt. Try it. Suddenly, s'mores are darn good! :) Still can only eat one or two
31:34 - I don't know. Ever had a green chili cheeseburger from literally any restaurant in New Mexico? I'm just gonna skip to triple-dog daring you to try one! 🤭
Becky and The Wrath of Becky. They're slasher films with a twist, the slasher is a teenage Becky and she's the protagonist, you cheer her on in her killing sprees. It takes "The Last Girl" trope and turns it upside down and backwards.
I would pay whatever a Michelin 3 Star dining experience asked, I've never been to one but I would love to go just once. I wouldn't kiss the Chef's ass but I would respect his work. That said I can cook all that stuff at home, it wouldn't look as fancy and would be a lot cheaper but it would taste the same.
Nothing more annoying than a foodie who can't cook but can criticize everyone who can as if they're an authority on it. Or a simp like this dude who I keep thinking of as Beast from the X-Men who talks a good game but when you really listen all he's doing is tossing word salad. Pan fried lamb chops is 2 minutes seared on one side in evoo, 2 & half on the other. Flip again, 2 and a half minutes for medium rare, 3 and a half for well done. Preferably in a cast iron pan. What he made was freakin' raw, I wouldn't have even put that warmed over mess in my mouth.
The only thing I knew about this movie going into it was that it was a thriller/satire movie. So I'd assumed that the plot twist was going to involve cannibalism in a very literal Eat-the-Rich manner. Still enjoyed it despite being very wrong on that point. And the high point I've paid for a meal was about 300 pounds at a 2-Michelin star restaurant. Because I was on holiday and I was curious what that level of price and reputation got you. It was a very nice meal.
