The Menu (2022) - Nearly a good cheeseburger

'The Menu' is a slow-burning psychological horror that takes its time setting up the horror aspect, preferring to rely on atmosphere and tension, allowing the unease to build rather than rush headlong into shock value.  This deliberate pacing won’t work for everyone, but it does help establish an unsettling tone.

Ralph Fiennes is the clear standout, delivering an excellently menacing performance, but Anya Taylor-Joy does well to add an emotional heart to the film as the film’s moral compass. Their dynamic is easily the strongest element of the movie and keeps things engaging even during its slower stretches.

Where 'The Menu' really shines is in its sharp satire.  The film takes some satisfying jabs at pretentious food culture and self-important critics, skewering elitism with a wicked sense of humor.  These moments are often the most entertaining, balancing the film’s darker themes with comedy.

That said, for all its ambition and clever ideas, the movie isn’t without flaws. There are several moments where suspension of disbelief is absolutely required, as certain character decisions and logistical elements don’t fully hold up under scrutiny.  A few glaring plot holes threaten to pull you out of the experience if you think about them too much.

Despite these issues, 'The Menu' remains a fun and stylish psychological horror that at least tries to do something a little different.  Strong performances, sharp satire and an unsettling mood make it worth the watch—even if it doesn’t completely stick the landing.

7/10