A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to dine at a restaurant led by an extremely well-known chef sounds like a dream for anyone interested in food. (I felt that way too, even though I experienced it through the Food Network.) Two of those fortunate diners are Tyler (**Nicholas Hoult**) and Margot (**Anya Taylor-Joy**). However, something feels off from the start. It’s not obvious, at least to ordinary people like us. Elsa (**Hong Chau**) noticed it, but she isn't one of us. As more guests arrive, it becomes clear that someone shouldn’t be there... Don't worry about it too much; the tasting is about to begin. That's when we meet the executive chef, Chef Slowik (**Ralph Fiennes**). Initially, he seems charming and prepares his guests for each course with stories. But this gradual, cult-like presentation eventually reveals that they know far more about their diners than anyone should... except for one person. As someone who loves the culinary world, I appreciated how *The Menu* satirizes some of my favorite shows: * Netflix's *Chef’s Table*, with its focus on cinematography and ingredient descriptions. * Any Celebrity Chef (like when Chef Slowik calls someone a 'donkey', which is clearly a nod to Gordon Ramsey). ...I was happy that the film explored the darker side of what working in service can sometimes feel like. It felt relieving, having worked in food service myself, and I think others with similar experiences will also connect with those aspects of the movie. The story ultimately arrives at a theme that I believe most viewers can understand, despite any morbid elements; the more we strive for perceived greatness—whether it's societal expectations or our own ambitions—the further we move from the childhood enthusiasm that originally inspired us. *The Menu*, overall, is like something you might hear at an actual tasting: a story of life, with all its memories (both good and bad), presented in five courses. If you’re part of the menu, you should stay until the very end... unless you aren't supposed to be there; perhaps life hasn't been hard enough on you yet... Either way, there’s always the _cool aid_.

Source on TMDB