Anya Taylor-Joy Consumes Capitalism in Adam McKay-Produced Culinary Thriller
Our communal chef fantasies take a turn to the dark side with comedy-thriller âThe Menu.â
Anya Taylor-Joy stars as Margot, a skeptical diner accompanying her partner Tyler (Nicholas Hoult) to an elite restaurant tucked away on a remote island. The tasting menu, curated by a famed chef played by Ralph Fiennes, has surprising delicacies in store for the guests who may or may not be trapped. AÂ teaser for the film already hinted at the underbelly of a lavish yet mysterious meal. âThe Menuâ is set to premiere in theaters November 18 from Searchlight Pictures after world-premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival.
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Mega-producer Adam McKay is behind the film, with âSuccessionâ director and executive producer Mark Mylod helming the feature. Screenwriters Will Tracy (a writer on âSuccessionâ as well as âJohn Oliverâ) and Seth Reiss (writing supervisor on âSeth Meyersâ) penned the film, and Betsy Koch also co-produces along with McKay.
âThe Menuâ additionally stars Hong Chau, Janet McTeer, Judith Light, Reed Birney, Paul Adelstein, Aimee Carrero, Arturo Castro, Mark St. Cyr, Rob Yang, and John Leguizamo.
McKay previously told IndieWire that the mission behind his production company, Hyperobject Industries, is to reflect the current muddled state of America. âOur whole company is geared toward the idea that weâre in a fracturing moment,â McKay said. âWhat does it mean for storytelling?â
Citing his spotlight on exaggerated wealth in âSuccessionâ and now âThe Menu,â McKay continued, âThe key to all of it is income inequality. If we could really solve that, it will solve our political problems and the climate crisis as well. Thatâs my soapbox.â
IndieWire recently spoke to Mark Mylod about his work on 2022 Emmy nominee âSuccessionâ in terms that could apply to the privilege on display in âThe Menu.â âAnytime we can see our charactersâ wealth and privilege does not protect them,â he said of the HBO seriesâ ensemble, âthat they still get caught in the rain, that they still get caught in traffic jams, that sometimes they canât hide from the sun, the glaring overhead midday, sun, thatâs a good tool for us.â
Lead star Taylor-Joy rounds out her diverse array of upcoming films with this yearâs star-studded âAmsterdam,â directed by David O. Russell, and upcoming âMad Max Fury Roadâ prequel âFuriosa.â
Watch the trailer for âThe Menuâ below.
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