How far would you go for a great meal? With food culture exploding in the past decade, many couples have made a ritual of seeking out trendy restaurants and unique culinary experiences. Given the means, some foodies will travel far and wide to enjoy extraordinary cuisine. That is the basis of “The Menu,” an upcoming dark comedy from director Mark Mylod and producer Adam McKay.
The movie stars Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult as romantic partners who visit a mysterious island to eat at a prestigious restaurant with a sinister chef played by Ralph Fiennes. The premise recalls the spooky gothic horror stories of H.G. Wells and Bram Stoker, but with an irresistibly clever contemporary spin. What better way to lure a modern person into a blatantly creepy and even dangerous situation than with the promise of amazing food?
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The ensemble cast also includes John Leguizamo and Janet McTeer as, respectively, a movie star and food critic invited to dine at the exclusive eatery. Other players include Hong Chau, Judith Light, Reed Birney, Paul Adelstein, Aimee Carrero, Arturo Castro, and Rob Yang.
The screenplay was penned by Seth Reiss and Will Tracy, who worked together on 2011’s “The Onion News Network” before pursuing separate careers in comedy writing. Reiss went on to join “Late Night with Seth Meyers” while Tracy wrote for “Last Week with John Oliver” and, later, “Succession.” It was in the latter series that Mylod and McKay shaped Tracy’s script for “Tern Haven” into perhaps the series’ best episode. Given the satirical spice these collaborators have previously conjured, the critics’ mouths will be watering for what “The Menu” has to offer.
The feature from Searchlight Pictures will premiere exclusively in theaters on November 18.