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The Menu is a black comedy horror film that uses a satirical lens to criticize the performative behavior of the entitled, privileged bunch. It doesn't come as a surprise considering the creative voices behind this project.
The 2022 film is co-written by Will Tracy and directed by Mark Mylod, both of whom have worked on HBO's Succession. Tracy and Seth Reiss's clever screenplay uses fine dining as a storytelling tool to take shots at the unfair class structure.
The film premiered at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival and was theatrically released on November 18, 2022. Its official synopsis, per IMDb, reads:
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.
The Menu stars Ralph Fiennes and Anna Taylor-Joy in the key roles. Fiennes plays a highbrow chef, while Taylor-Joy plays a woman who gets dragged into the chef's exclusive dinner experiences.
Nicholas Hoult, Hong Chau, Janet McTeer, Judith Light, and John Leguizamo make up the film's remaining central cast. Their mutual contribution raises the stakes in The Menu and turns it into a wild, nightmarish ride.
The Menu: Full list of main cast and characters explored
1) Ralph Fiennes as Julian Slowik
The Menu places Ralph Fiennes in the role of Julian Slowick, a highbrow chef, who caters to provide fine dining experiences for his wealthy clients. The film follows one of his exclusive experiences that quickly turns into an intimidating nightmare for everyone involved. Fiennes isn't new to similarly intense dramatic role as he has proven his acting chops from time to time.
While Harry Potter fans might know Fiennes as Lord Voldemort, he is also a multiple-Oscar-nominated actor for his work in 1993's Schindler's List, 1996's The English Patient, and 2024's Conclave. If you want to see him in more comedic roles, you might want to check out Martin McDonagh's In Bruges, Wes Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel, or the Coen brothers' Hail, Caesar!
2) Anna Taylor-Joy as Margot
Anna Taylor-Joy plays Margot, who enters Julian Slowik's exclusive dinner experience with her Slowik-superfan date. Unlike other guests, Margot is far less interested in Slowik's presentation, which adds to the film's dramatic tension.
Taylor-Joy was nominated for a Golden Globe for her clever performance as Margot. The star has had an impressive career with television projects like The Queen's Gambit and Peaky Blinders to movies like Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024), The Witch (2015), Split (2016), and Emma (2020).
3) Nicholas Hoult as Tyler
The Menu casts Nicholas Hoult as Tyler, a foodie who worships Julian Slowik's work. He admires it so much that he decides to take his date on one of Slowik's fine dining experiences. Hoult has been acting in films and TV shows for almost three decades. One of his earliest roles is Marcus Brewer in Hugh Grant-led About a Boy.
Hoult was most recently seen in Robert Eggers' Nosferatu, Clint Eastwood's Juror #2, Justin Kurzel's The Order, and Chris McKay's Renfield.
4) Hong Chau as Elsa
Hong Chau plays Elsa, a chef and Julian Slowik's close associate, who ensures that everything is being executed as planned during the dinner. Before The Menu, Chau starred in Brendan Fraser-led The Whale, which earned her an Oscar nomination. She was also seen in shows like The Night Agent, Big Little Lies, and Homecoming, and movies like Kinds of Kindness and Asteroid City.
5) John Leguizamo as Movie Star
John Leguizamo plays a movie star in The Menu, who is past his glory years. While his character's name is mentioned in the film, the credits refer to him as just a "movie star". This might be a creative decision by the writers to use him as an archetype for similar celebrities who are self-obsessed while being past their prime. Leguizamo has also starred in other acclaimed projects like Moulin Rouge!, Summer of Sam, and Romeo+Juliet.
6) Janet McTeer as Lillian Bloom
Janet McTeer plays food critic Lillian Bloom in The Menu. Bloom has followed Slowik's work for many years and considers herself an authority on everything related to food. McTeer is a seasoned Hollywood actress with Oscar-nominated roles from Tumbleweeds and Albert Nobbs under her belt. She recently starred in shows like Jeff Goldblum-led Kaos and Jeff Bridges-led The Old Man.
Who stars in the supporting cast of The Menu?
The Menu boasts a cast of acclaimed actors. Its supporting cast also includes some gifted actors in impressive roles.
- Judith Light as Anne Liebbrandt
- Paul Adelstein as Ted Feldman, an editor
- Aimee Carrero as Felicity Lynn, the movie star's personal assistant
- Rob Yang as Bryce, a businessman
- Mark St. Cyr as Dave Lorimer, a businessman
- Arturo Castro as Soren, a businessman
- Rebecca Koon as Linda Slowik, Chef Julian's alcoholic mother
- Reed Birney as Richard Liebbrandt, Anne's husband
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Also read: Where was The Menu filmed? Filming locations of Anya Taylor-Joy's horror comedy, explored
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