The Menu (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
The Menu is a 2022 horror thriller directed by Mark Mylod, starring Nicholas Hoult as Tyler, Anya Taylor-Joy and Ralph Fiennes. It runs 1 hour 47 minutes and earned $79.6 million worldwide on a $30 million budget. It earned 8 award nominations, including Best Actor in a Film at the Saturn Awards 2024. Critics gave it 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 71 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 47m (107 min)
- Director
- Mark Mylod
- Original language
-
English
- Budget
- $30M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Menu About?
The premise of The Menu without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
A young couple, Margot and Tyler, join a group of foodies and critics traveling to an exclusive restaurant on a remote island. Led by the renowned Chef Julian Slowik, the evening promises an unparalleled dining experience. However, as the elaborate tasting menu progresses, the guests realize that something sinister is afoot, and the culinary adventure takes a dark and disturbing turn, revealing unsettling truths about the chef and his meticulously planned evening.
The Menu Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- food critic
- perfectionist
- blind obedience
- obsession
- exclusive restaurant
- burned alive
- passion
- cheeseburger
- restaurant
- island
- suicide
- everything is not what it seems
+38 more Show fewer
- loyalty
- revenge
- gun shaped lighter
- tortilla
- restaurant chef
- foodie
- one night timespan
- wealth
- sycophancy
- cooking
- expensive restaurant
- haute cuisine
- finger cut off
- dark comedy
- grudge
- consumer culture
- mass murder
- s'mores
- infidelity
- class difference
- satire comedy
- capitalism
- sous chef
- food
- murder
- restaurant on fire
- self immolation
- facade
- psychological horror
- deliverance
- mental illness
- calling for help
- death of boss
- husband wife relationship
- escort
- stabbed in the thigh
- wine
- elderly couple
The Menu Cast & Characters
Nicholas Hoult leads the cast as Tyler, with Anya Taylor-Joy as Margot and Ralph Fiennes as Chef Slowik. Directed by Mark Mylod; 13 actors are credited in all.
- Director Mark Mylod
-
Nicholas Hoult as Tyler -
Anya Taylor-Joy as Margot -
Ralph Fiennes as Chef Slowik -
Janet McTeer as Lillian
Also Starring in The Menu
· 9 more- Reed Birney Richard
- Paul Adelstein Ted
- Judith Light Anne
- Aimee Carrero Felicity
- Arturo Castro Soren
- Rob Yang Bryce
- Hong Chau Elsa
- John Leguizamo Movie Star
- Christina Brucato Katherine
More from Mark Mylod
More films directed by Mark Mylod, best-rated first: Ali G Indahouse, What's Your Number?, The Big White and The Queen of Sheba.
The Menu Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Menu 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 71 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 82/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in story & flow (68).
The Menu Echo Score Breakdown
The Menu delivers a stylish, satirical thriller that largely succeeds through its sharp visual design and strong central performances, though its narrative can feel uneven. Critics highlight the inventive cinematography and the magnetic charisma of Ralph Fiennes and Anya Taylor‑Joy, while noting occasional pacing lapses in the final act and an over‑cooked satirical edge. User responses echo this blend, praising the atmospheric tension and thematic punch but mentioning predictability and mixed rewatch appeal.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 85
Art & Craft stands out as a major strength, with direction and visual composition delivering a polished, almost clinical aesthetic. Critics and users note Mark Mylod’s precise staging, the film’s immaculate cinematography, and thoughtful production design that turns each dish into a visual motif. This cohesive artistry elevates the viewing experience and sustains the film’s satirical tone.
- Character & Emotion 85
Character & Emotion is anchored by standout performances that give depth to the film’s satirical premise. Ralph Fiennes delivers a chilling, controlled portrayal of the chef, while Anya Taylor‑Joy provides a resilient counterpoint, and the supporting cast effectively embodies elitist archetypes. These nuanced performances create a compelling emotional core, even as the script sometimes leans on caricature.
- Story & Flow 68
Story & Flow presents an inventive premise that blends dark comedy with thriller elements, yet its execution wavers in consistency. Reviewers praise the satirical commentary and the escalating tension, but note that the plot becomes predictable after the midpoint and some thematic threads feel under‑developed. Consequently, the narrative delivers moments of engagement but lacks sustained momentum.
- Sensory Experience 83
Sensory Experience shines through a meticulous soundscape and striking visual style that reinforce the film’s unsettling atmosphere. Critics highlight the dazzling use of color, precise editing, and a score that subtly amplifies tension without overwhelming scenes. Both reviewers and viewers note that the sensory design transforms the dining setting into an immersive, almost tactile experience.
- Rewatch Factor 72
Rewatch Factor is moderate, offering enough novelty in its thematic satire and visual flair to merit a second viewing, though the story’s predictability may reduce repeat excitement. Positive audience feedback emphasizes the film’s entertaining tension and memorable set‑pieces, while critics point to the uneven pacing as a deterrent for repeated enjoyment. Overall, the film remains appealing but not essential for frequent replays.
-
IMDb 7.2 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 88% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 76%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 71 Metascore
User score 6.8
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 72% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.5 /5
8.1K ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.6 /5
See on Movie Insider
The Menu Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in The Menu from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Margot Mills and her date, Tyler, embark on a boat journey to Hawthorne, an elite dining establishment managed by the renowned chef Julian Slowik on a secluded island. Among the other attendees are Lillian, a discerning food critic, her editor Ted, the affluent couple Richard and Anne, fading movie star George and his assistant Felicity, alongside business partners Soren, Dave, and Bryce, not to mention Julian’s mother, who struggles with alcoholism. As the guests are escorted by the restaurant’s Maître d’hôtel, Elsa, it becomes apparent that Margot was not originally supposed to attend this exclusive affair.
Full summary
The whole story of The Menu, scene by scene, with the ending explained
The Menu Box Office & Budget
The Menu grossed $79.6 million worldwide on a $30 million budget, 2.7 times what it cost. $38.5 million came from the US and Canada and $41.1 million (52%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$79.6M
2.7× its budget
- US & Canada
- $38.5M
- International
- $41.1M
- Budget
- $30M
The Menu Awards & Nominations
The Menu earned 8 award nominations, including Best Actor in a Film at the Saturn Awards 2024. The 8 nominations come from 3 ceremonies, the most at the Saturn Awards 2024.
8 nominations3 ceremonies
-
Saturn Awards 2024 5 nominations- Nominated Best Actor in a Film – Ralph Fiennes
- Nominated Best Actress in a Film – Anya Taylor-Joy
- Nominated Best Film Direction – Mark Mylod
- Nominated Best Film Writing
- Nominated Best Thriller Film
-
Golden Globes 2023 2 nominations- Nominated Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (Actor) – Ralph Fiennes
- Nominated Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (Actress) – Anya Taylor-Joy
-
Artios Awards 2023 1 nomination- Nominated Big Budget – Comedy
The Menu Trailers & Videos
13 videos: 2 trailers, 4 clips, 5 featurettes and 2 behind-the-scenes videos.
- Trailer Official Trailer
- Clip “45 Second Head Start” Clip
- Clip “Left Hand, Ring Finger” Clip
- Clip "Who Are You?" Clip
How Well Do You Know The Menu?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the exclusive restaurant featured in the film?
Cars in The Menu
3 cars on screen, including the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse V222 and the 2014 BMW X5 F15.
-
2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse V222 Minor role -
2014 BMW X5 F15 Background role -
2016 Lexus RX Background role
The Menu Also Known As
29 alternative titles, including “Ēdienkarte” and “Die Speisekarte”.
- Also known as
-
- Ēdienkarte
- Die Speisekarte
- El menú
- منوی غذا
- صورتغذا
- O Menu
- Менюто
- Le Menu
- Meni
- Το μενού
- 五腥級盛宴
- A menü
+17 more Show fewer
- Ha'Tafrit
- ザ・メニュー
- Meniu
- Меню
- 더 메뉴
- 五星饗魘
- Menyu
- Thực Đơn Bí Ẩn
- ザ・メニュー:2022
- Das Menü
- 菜单
- เมนูสยอง
- התפריט
- Мени
- منو
- Meniul, მენიუ
- Menüü
Seen The Menu?
Movies Like The Menu
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Fresh, Menu for Murder and Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?.
The Menu FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of The Menu, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Menu?
The Menu runs 1 hour 47 minutes (107 minutes).
When was The Menu released?
The Menu was released on November 18, 2022.
Who directed The Menu?
The Menu was directed by Mark Mylod.
More films by Mark Mylod Who is in the cast of The Menu?
The Menu stars Nicholas Hoult as Tyler, Anya Taylor-Joy as Margot and Ralph Fiennes as Chef Slowik, among 13 credited actors.
How much did The Menu make at the box office?
The Menu grossed $79.6 million worldwide ($38.5 million domestic, $41.1 million international) on a budget of $30 million.
How is The Menu rated?
The Menu has 7.2/10 on IMDb, 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, 71 on Metacritic and 72% on TMDB.
Was The Menu nominated for any awards?
The Menu received 8 nominations across 3 ceremonies.
Does The Menu have a post-credit scene?
No. The Menu has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
