What made me excited about seeing this the most was that it contained some acting favourites of mine and certain combinations of actors that I haven't seen before.
Plus, the concept looked very interesting and the trailers gave it a lot of energy and potential.
But while the marketing seems to hint more of a horror comedy. It's more of a satire on the fine dining experience, class, chefs and food critics.
There's an Agatha Christie vibe to the initial set-up. From the remote location to the number of curious characters from different backgrounds. However, the restaurant setting gives us something a little different to the atmosphere.
There is a constant unsettling feel to everything and the story develops, we start more shock content and the sort of ideas that I am usually up for being explored.
I also liked at its silly moments that never went over board and was only teased for a moment. While the final act didn't quite go all out, it decided to give us the thing it intended to finish with and it remain as satisfying.
Anya Taylor-Joy did a good job at basically playing the audience. Her attitude and elegance was a deadly combination and she continues to show why Tayloy-Joy is one of my favourite female actors right now.
Ralph Fiennes is great. His natural intimidation makes this a perfect casting choice for the character he has been assigned to play. That mystery intensity he has whilst seeming kind of the surface was rewarding to see at work.
Nicholas Hoult gives a good amount of obnoxious to his character that gives us some memorable moments. As does John Leguizamo who is making a solid resurgence within the industry, Hong Chau, Janet McTear, Paul Adelstein and Arturo Castro.
The camerawork uses the space very effectively. There are a lot of pleasing wide shots that gives the audience a great scale of the characters environment whilst also doing these close-ups of the food to make them inviting and desirable.
Colin Stetson's score helps with the tone and gives you a fun piece during the end credits that is great to experience after just witnessing the film itself.
There are moments however towards the end where it's stretching out its ideas. But other than that, this was a very entertaining and effective piece of work that will work well with multiple demographics.
Its dark humour is consistently funny, has a good amount of effective thrills and I liked the direction it takes when it plays around with its ideas to see its message from different perspectives. That exploration of the plot is even greater when you see that majority of the film takes place in one room. That showed a lot confidence in the concept for me.
In other hands, it could have forgotten about its central premise for its final act and give us some middle-of-the-road action sequence to please its audience. But no, they fully commit to it and give us quite the memorable viewing experience that I would happily re-visit.
I've noticed it's been quite the year for films the are making fun of the mega rich, elite or privileged. We've had 'Bodies Bodies Bodies', 'Triangle Of Sadness', 'Glass Onion' and now this. With this now in the mix, I think it's safe to say there's plenty of options available if you are up for watching this sort of thing.
Rating: 8/10
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