Analysis

This is probably a very different tone compared to my previous posts, but I was watching some video clips of The Menu (2022) and it made me think a lot. (Spoilers for the movie ahead, obviously.)

A lot of movies you can tell how much time you have left to watch if you identify some key points that were taught very early on in English classes. Plot structure drives all movies, there will be an identifiable plot line. Beginning, middle, end, theme. Rising action, climax, falling action, resolution. These are the few simple key features of a plotline that serves as the base for all stories. 

A lot of people think a lot of stories must have a define ending, but that's not what a plotline includes. A resolution is not an "ending," it is what the main character has learned and what has changed in this character. Not everything is a comedy, and not everything is a tragedy, it is just a resolution of some sort.

You can easily spoil yourself in every movie by identifying who/what is the main conflict (rising action), how is this conflict made known (climax), and then the falling action takes it's place and you can finally rest. 

I haven't watched The Menu in full length, however I have tried to piece together the few clips I've seen and I believe I have a good idea of what the plot is (and I believe the script is available to read, I will read this soon.) Despite how abrupt the ending seems, I believe it feels like a natural conclusion to this movie. I could have not seen how else this movie can end.

I saw someone comment on The Menu, saying that they hated the ending because "everyone doesn't survive," and that "movies have purpose." This is a poor evaluation, because more of the comment clearly shows this person hasn't watched the damn movie itself,  there is purpose in this movie. It is fantastic commentary on the food industry, and how service workers are treated. Whether or not you hate the ending of this movie, the commentary on this issue is made evident through out this film through the use of imagery, language, contrast, and more. Purpose doesn't have to be happy, and people forget that about literature and media.

Maybe they're upset that only Margot survived, and I can understand why. Some of the characters in the restaurant didn't have a good reason to die, however they all (except Margot) played a piece in Slowik's distain. Margot survived because she was not part of the equation, everyone else died because they were a set player. It didn't matter that some of these customers didn't contribute to anything that can be deemed morally unjust, Slowik made this specific menu to cater perfectly. He did his research, he knew almost every guest there, and they were there to die.

Even the guests seem resigned as they realize their fate. End of the movie, you can hear some of the guests yell "I love you, chef" as the restaurant bursts into flames. Furthermore, when Margot got to leave, the camera pans around to every customer, focusing on Anne. You can clearly see Anne moving her hand, signaling for Margot to go and live. Everyone knew that Margot was the only one out of them who was worthy enough in Slowik's mind to leave.