Skip to content

‘The Menu’ from Searchlight Pictures Hits Theaters This Weekend

The Menu

“The Menu” will be released by Searchlight Pictures this weekend, on November 18, and it’s getting great reviews from those who have seen advance screenings.


About the Film

“The Menu” is billed as a dark black comedic horror film set in the world of haute cuisine and the foodies who spare no expense for a stellar dining experience.

In the film, a couple, Margot and Tyler (Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult), travel to a coastal island in the Pacific Northwest to eat at an exclusive restaurant, Hawthorn, where the reclusive, globally celebrated Chef Julian Slowik (Ralph Fiennes) has prepared a lavish tasting menu for select special guests.

Joining the couple are three young, already inebriated tech bros, Bryce (Rob Yang), Soren (Arturo Castro) and Dave (Mark St. Cyr); an older wealthy couple and repeat clients, Anne and Richard (Judith Light and Reed Birney); renowned restaurant critic Lillian Bloom (Janet McTeer) and her slavish magazine editor Ted (Paul Adelstein); and a famous middle-aged movie star (John Leguizamo) with his assistant Felicity (Aimee Carrero).

The Menu - cast
Searchlight Pictures; Photo: Eric Zachanowich

Hosted by the immaculately dressed front of house staff led by maître d’ Elsa (Hong Chau), the evening unfolds with increasing tension at each of the guest tables as secrets are revealed and unexpected courses are served.

Throughout the evening, the staff at Hawthorn serves six tables of guests, each representing a certain type of person who has infuriated or disrespected Chef Slowik, from long-time disaffected patrons, to pompous food critics, to know-it-all foodies.

With wild and violent events occurring (expect some blood to be shed), Slowik’s motivation begins to rattle the diners as it becomes increasingly apparent that his elaborate menu is designed to build to a shocking finale with each course served.

Mark Mylod directs the film, which is produced by Adam McKay, Betsy Koch and Will Ferrell.

The Menu
Searchlight Pictures; Photo: Eric Zachanowich

The Trailer

With an air of mystery, the guests are brought to the restaurant, where it seems fine dining is not the endgame of the chef in this trailer that treads the ultra-fine line between black comedy and a horrific thriller.

Take a look:


The horror elements of the film are more present in this short featurette:


Will you be seeing “The Menu”? Let us know in the comments.