The Menu, a black comedy horror film directed by Mark Mylod, is set on a lonely island home to the upscale Hawthorne restaurant and renowned chef Julian Slowik (Ralph Fiennes). The pair Tyler (Nicholas Hoult) and Margot (Anya Taylor-Joy) visit this isolated island along with numerous other visitors. When they arrive, everyone realises the delectable delicacies are unparalleled in the culinary world. The visitors are also aware that they are in for a few stunning revelations that will take them down a dangerous path.
The parody “The Menu” is about affluent folks and exquisite meals. The movie illustrates how people view the idea of great dining and how, ultimately, it is only a status symbol. This concept is illustrated in a way that is simultaneously violent, dark, and funny. We have a collection of movies if you like such aspects in stories. The majority of these films like “The Menu” are available on Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime.
Fantasy Island (2020)
The classic survival movie “Fantasy Island” takes place on the namesake island. They learn how their fantasies may become their worst nightmares as a group of people comes to this island to live out their darkest imaginations. Unusual occurrences occur among the populace, and the struggle for existence ensues. The movie “Fantasy Island,” like “The Menu” and a few other titles on this list, presents a real-life topic in an exaggerated manner.
The inhabitants of “Fantasy Island” are similar to the diners in “The Menu” in their utter desperation to survive. In addition to this, both films use symbolism to depict violence and the fate of the characters. These elements keep the audience guessing until the very end as to how everything will turn out.
High-Rise (2015)
High-Rise, a psychological thriller film based on J. G. Ballard’s book of the same name, is set in a residential skyscraper with all the pleasures one might desire. When Dr. Robert Laing (Tom Hiddleston) arrives in, he learns the socioeconomic structure, how the tower operates, and how its tenants live. The building’s services begin to fail, though, and pandemonium breaks out as individuals start turning against one another.
‘High-Rise’ portrays capitalism and classism as evil forces that have the power to destroy humanity. Numerous events and moments in the film serve as symbols for the concept. The overall story serves as an example of how individuals succumb to capitalistic needs and desires and devour one another over them. Both “High-Rise” and “The Menu” depict the wealthy in a similar ways. Both times, the wealthy individuals are snobby and pretentious. While the luxuries and private events in “High-Rise” are signs of a status symbol, exquisite dining is used in “The Menu” to convey the same idea.
Parasite (2019)
One of the best classism satires we’ve seen in recent years is probably “Parasite.” An poor family of four that tricks its way into a wealthy couple’s home and begins working for them is the subject of the Academy Award-winning film. The four-member family in “Parasite,” which has a very different plot from “The Menu,” and the chef in the former have similar opinions on the affluent class. The family in “Parasite” aspires to become wealthy one day. But as the story goes on, they realise that their cravings are a result of their insecurity and poverty. The way Chef Slowik hates upper-class people shows that he is well ahead of his time in “The Menu.” The narrative reveals each of the films’ many layers one at a time.
Ready or Not (2019)
Grace, a recentlywed bride, is urged to play a game of hide and seek with the family as part of a family ritual in “Ready or Not.” She soon becomes aware of the game’s fatal nature and begins to struggle for survival. The violence in the film is strikingly similar to that in “The Menu.” Grace’s survival instincts also make us think about Margot’s strategies for attempting to leave the island. Although “Ready or Not” isn’t strictly satire, it has subtly humorous references to cults and sacrifices. Although both movies are fairly gloomy, “Ready or Not” has scenes with less suspense than “The Menu.”
Triangle of Sadness (2022)
In the parody “Triangle of Sadness,” the societal order is explored along with the idiosyncrasies of the wealthy. The story shows how when a group of visitors and crew members were shipwrecked on an island, the power dynamic radically changes. In contrast to “The Menu,” which concentrates on a single issue, “Triangle of Sadness” discusses classism, hierarchy, and social media influence. The portrayal of wealthy people and their behaviours is one of the major similarities between the two films. While “Triangle of Sadness” depicts how the wealthy are intolerant of any inconvenience, “The Menu” illuminates how they view any form of artistic expression as a sign of affluence. The spectator gains insight into the behaviour and mind of the elite society thanks to these levels.
Truth or Dare (2013)
The movie “Truth or Dare” is about college friends who create violently themed “Truth or Dare” films for the internet. Things take a sinister turn when the group encounters an obsessed admirer. Although the subjects and the plot of “Truth or Dare” and “The Menu” are different, the technique in which they approach their ideas is similar. The focus of “The Menu” is on exquisite dining, on the one hand.
Contrarily, the centre of “Truth or Dare” is social media and the broad fandom that people derive from it. In order to make their points about the realities of social media and gourmet dining, both movies employ hyperbole. The brutality in “The Menu” is similar to that in “Truth or Dare,” but the latter has fewer layers.
Velvet Buzzsaw (2019)
A black comedy horror movie called “Velvet Buzzsaw” is centred on the Los Angeles art scene. One of Morf’s friends chooses to sell the paintings once Morf (Jake Gyllenhaal) discovers them. Soon, a supernatural power seeking vengeance on anyone who sells the art for money causes individuals to start dying. The paranormal component is one of the main distinctions between “Velvet Buzzsaw” and “The Menu.” The mystical power and Chef Slowik share a similar goal of persuading people that art is more than just a status symbol. The movies criticise wealthy people who exploit others to feed their greed for cash and approval.
Would You Rather (2012)
The horror-thriller “Would You Rather” takes its idea from the video game of the same name. Iris’ brother needs a bone marrow donor because he has leukaemia. She therefore chooses to take part in a game of “Would You Rather” with a few strangers, but she quickly discovers that the duties are far too violent and real. What extreme measures would you take to save a loved one? is the theme of the film. Shepard Lambrick, who plays the game’s eponymous organiser in the film, watches the proceedings as they take place in front of him. He resembles Chef Slowik from “The Menu” in certain aspects. Both males have a natural desire to watch others suffer. Shepard’s intentions for holding such a gory game are unclear, in contrast to the cook, whose motivations are unmistakable. This heightens the tension surrounding the characters and leaves viewers thinking long after the movie has ended.
