The most disturbing horror movie of the year hits theaters
Menu is the new film by the director and screenwriter alex garlandthe same one who made Former Machine (2014) and Annihilation (2018). Here the story belongs to the horror genre and is narrated in such a way that it differs from most horror films that are usually released. A disturbing experience that will be very difficult to forget for viewers who dare to this cinematic challenge.
Menu plays very well with the codes of terror. Like other great titles like rosemary’s baby either The Exorcist, This film is first in charge of explaining the vulnerability of its protagonist, to sensitize the viewer and at the same time open the door to irrationality. The first thing we know about Harper (jessie buckley) is that she has suffered a personal tragedy that torments her and for that reason she has decided to leave her home in the city of London to retire to a beautiful and lonely mansion in the English countryside.
Anyone who has seen British horror films will recognize this location as the perfect space for everything to become sinister and disturbing. Harper, however, only sees in that place the beautiful landscapes and the peace far from the big city, at least at first. After meeting the somewhat eccentric landlord (Rory Kinnear), she will be left alone and on her first walk she will come across terror. Thus, in broad daylight, which is even worse for the viewer, because there will be no moment in which she can feel safe again.
The simplest horror movies usually take advantage of shocks and shock effects to scare the viewer. But in other cases, like this one, the fear runs deeper. The director manages to create scenes that look like nightmares put on the screen. As if all the fears that inhabit the viewer suddenly materialized in a movie. Those who love horror will enjoy the film, even knowing that they will have nightmares at the end of the day. Even before falling asleep, a movie like this is the first thing that comes to mind in the dark. That’s how disturbing it is Men.
Another difference with the more mediocre cinema of the genre is the choice of its protagonists. Casting such talented actors makes the complex scenes even more intense. Jessie Buckley is one of the most important actresses today. The Irish actress and singer has shone in films such as WildRose (2018), judy (2019) misbehavior (2020), I think about the end (2020), the dark daughter (2021) and also in the miniseries Chernobyl (2019). Rory Kinnear, meanwhile, has worked on series like BlackMirror (2011), Penny Dreadful (2014-2016) and Years & Years (2019), and in the last four films of the James Bond franchise. Both are a fundamental part for the film to fulfill its objective.
Menu It is an extreme bet and as such it has great successes and also more controversial scenes. The high points are those that make it memorable and the others will cause some rejection. The film knows how to handle the ropes of suspense, but also those of the bloodiest and most shocking violence. It produces deep terror and also something impressive. All types of horror come together here and that’s also what makes it unique.
Closer to David Cronenberg either Stanley Kubrick that of the horror franchises, Menu is the most disturbing movie to hit theaters this year. It is also a film with very clear ideas, but we will not anticipate which ones here, because it would be advancing the plot to explain its themes. If you’re not afraid of having nightmares at night, this is the movie you can’t miss.
