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The Menu

The Menu is a 2022 American comedy horror thriller film directed by Mark Mylod and written by Seth Reiss and Will Tracy.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Menu is a 2022 American comedy horror thriller film directed by Mark Mylod and written by Seth Reiss and Will Tracy. It stars Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Nicholas Hoult, and follows a young couple who travel to an exclusive remote restaurant for a tasting menu that becomes increasingly sinister. The film was distributed in Canada by Searchlight Pictures.

Premise

The story follows a young couple who travel to a remote island to dine at a high-end restaurant, where the chef has prepared an elaborate menu with disturbing surprises.

Cast

The ensemble cast includes Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicholas Hoult, Hong Chau, Janet McTeer, Judith Light, and John Leguizamo.

Production and release

The film was directed by Mark Mylod and written by Seth Reiss and Will Tracy. Searchlight Pictures released it in theatres in November 2022, with a streaming release following in January 2023.

Themes and reception

Coverage of the film consistently describes it as a satire of fine dining, elitism, and class behaviour, framed as horror and dark comedy.

Key facts

  • The film is set around an exclusive restaurant on a remote island.
  • Ralph Fiennes plays chef Julian Slowik.
  • Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult portray the central couple.
  • It was released theatrically in 2022 and later streamed in early 2023.
  • The Menu is widely described as a dark satire of elite fine dining and class pretension.
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Canadian context

The Menu was distributed in Canada by Searchlight Pictures, a North American release that included Canadian theatrical availability.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Menu about?
It follows a couple who visit an exclusive remote restaurant for a tasting menu that turns into a deadly, sinister experience.
Who directed The Menu?
Mark Mylod directed the film.
Who stars in The Menu?
The main cast includes Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Nicholas Hoult, along with Hong Chau, Janet McTeer, Judith Light, and John Leguizamo.
What genre is The Menu?
It is commonly described as a comedy horror thriller, with elements of satire and dark comedy.
When was The Menu released?
It was released in theatres in November 2022 and on streaming services in January 2023.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Menu_(2022_film)
    Supports: Director, writers, cast, release year, and general premise.
  2. IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt9764362/
    Supports: Plot summary and thematic description.
  3. Netflix Tudumhttps://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/the-menu-release-date-news
    Supports: Plot context, cast, and screenwriters.
  4. Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_menu
    Supports: Genre, director, cast, distributor, release date, runtime, and synopsis.
  5. Common Sense Mediahttps://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/the-menu
    Supports: Release timing, rating, and plot details.
  6. Eaterhttps://www.eater.com/23458693/review-the-menu-2022-movie-ralph-fiennes-anya-taylor-joy-release-date
    Supports: Critical framing of the film as a satire of the restaurant industry and class.