The Menu Cast: Where Are The Stars Of The Dark Culinary Satire Now? (2025 Updates)

The ensemble cast of *The Menu*, the razor-sharp 2022 black comedy horror film that skewered the pretentious world of fine dining, remains one of the most talked-about collections of talent in recent cinema, blending veteran gravitas with rising star power. Directed by Mark Mylod, the film’s success hinges entirely on the chemistry and chilling performances delivered by its core group of actors, who portrayed the elite, and ultimately doomed, diners at the exclusive Hawthorne restaurant. As of December 2025, many of these stars are dominating the box office and streaming charts with major new projects, from DC blockbusters to high-profile horror sequels, proving their careers are anything but finished. The film, written by Seth Reiss and Will Tracy, serves up a chilling narrative of culinary obsession and class satire, perfectly embodied by an immaculate cast led by Ralph Fiennes. The movie’s enduring popularity on streaming platforms continues to draw new audiences into its dark, witty world, prompting many to ask: what are the stars of this unforgettable cinematic meal doing now, and what’s their next course?

The Main Course: Full Cast List and Updated 2025 Biographies

The heart of *The Menu* is its meticulously assembled ensemble, each actor playing a crucial role in the psychological thriller. The following list provides a detailed look at the main cast, their characters, and their most recent and upcoming projects, ensuring you have the freshest information available.

• Ralph Fiennes (as Chef Julian Slowik)

  Biography & Recent Work: Fiennes, a two-time Academy Award nominee, brings a terrifyingly calm intensity to Chef Slowik, the culinary genius behind Hawthorne's fatal tasting menu. His performance as the disillusioned chef who turns his restaurant into a stage for revenge is a masterclass in controlled menace. Since *The Menu*, Fiennes has continued his work in both prestige and genre films.

  2025 Updates: Fiennes is set to star in the highly anticipated horror sequel, 28 Years Later, the first installment of a new trilogy. He is also attached to the upcoming film The Choral, showcasing his commitment to diverse and challenging roles.

• Anya Taylor-Joy (as Margot/Erin)

  Biography & Recent Work: Taylor-Joy plays Margot, the cynical and quick-witted escort who is the only diner not meant to be at the table. Her outsider perspective provides the audience's entry point and the moral center of the film. Known for *The Queen's Gambit* and *Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga*, she is one of Hollywood's most in-demand young stars.

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  2025 Updates: Her schedule is packed, including the sci-fi romantic thriller The Gorge, co-starring Miles Teller, which is an Apple TV+ release. She is also starring in the thriller Sacrifice.

• Nicholas Hoult (as Tyler)

  Biography & Recent Work: Hoult portrays Tyler, the insufferably pretentious foodie whose obsession with Chef Slowik borders on religious fanaticism. His character's blind adoration and eventual humiliation are key to the film's class satire. Hoult's career spans from *About a Boy* to *The Great* and *Renfield*.

  2025 Updates: Hoult is making a huge leap into the DC Universe, taking on the iconic villain role of Lex Luthor in James Gunn's Superman, scheduled for release in July 2025. He is also confirmed for a role in the next installment of the *Mission: Impossible* franchise, *Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning*, and the gothic horror film *Nosferatu*.

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• Hong Chau (as Elsa)

  Biography & Recent Work: Chau is chilling as Elsa, Chef Slowik's fiercely loyal maître d’ and second-in-command. Her quiet intensity and devotion to the restaurant's ritualistic agenda are terrifying. Chau received an Academy Award nomination for her role in *The Whale* (2023), immediately after *The Menu*’s release, cementing her status as a critical darling.

  2024–2025 Updates: She co-stars in the Wes Anderson film *Kinds of Kindness* and the heist movie *The Instigators* (2024), demonstrating her impressive range across different genres.

The Dark Satire: Unpacking The Menu's Themes and Setting

The enduring appeal of *The Menu* lies not just in its cast, but in its brutal deconstruction of the ultra-rich and the art they consume. The film is a masterclass in class satire, using the exclusivity and pretension of the fine dining world as its primary weapon.

Culinary Pretentiousness and The Michelin Star Obsession

The Hawthorne restaurant itself is a character, a temple of molecular gastronomy where the food is more conceptual art than sustenance. The various courses, each with an increasingly morbid title, serve as a critique of a culture that values the *idea* of food over the simple pleasure of eating. Chef Slowik's disdain is aimed at those who treat his craft as a status symbol—the tech bros, the food critics, and the obsessive fan like Tyler—rather than appreciating the sheer labor and artistry involved. The film highlights the irony of chasing Michelin stars and exclusivity, showing how it can destroy the purity of the art form for the artist.

The Remote Island Filming Location

The setting plays a critical role in trapping the diners and heightening the psychological tension. While the fictional Hawthorne is located on a remote island, the movie was primarily filmed in and around Savannah, Georgia. The interior of the restaurant was a meticulously crafted, custom-built set, designed to feel both minimalist and claustrophobic. This isolated environment, with no escape, is central to the plot's horror, turning the luxurious dining experience into a terrifying, inescapable ritual. The production team even used three real islands, including Jekyll Island, for exterior shots to emphasize the remoteness.

The Supporting Players: A Feast of Veteran Talent

The depth of *The Menu* is amplified by its incredible supporting cast, a collection of veteran actors who perfectly embody the various types of wealthy, entitled diners targeted by Chef Slowik's final menu.

• Janet McTeer (as Lillian Bloom): McTeer plays Lillian Bloom, a notoriously harsh and pretentious food critic whose words have the power to make or break a career. Her character represents the critical establishment that Chef Slowik has come to despise. McTeer, known for her roles in *Ozark* and *Albert Nobbs*, is currently starring as Hera in the 2024 Netflix series *KAOS* and is attached to the TV series *The Artist*.
• Judith Light (as Anne): Light portrays Anne, one half of a wealthy, older couple (alongside Reed Birney as Richard) who are repeat, unfeeling customers. Their boredom and casual indifference to the chef's work make them prime targets. A Tony and Emmy Award winner, Light continues to be active, with recent 2024 projects including the horror-drama *Before* and the coming-of-age comedy *Out of My Mind*.
• John Leguizamo (as The Movie Star): Leguizamo plays a washed-up, desperate movie star whose career is in decline. He represents the desperate need for validation and relevance among the elite. Leguizamo, a versatile actor and comedian, recently premiered his new movie at SXSW in 2024, winning a Grand Jury Award. He is also working on a new PBS series, *VOCES American Historia*, and has teased a role in *The Odyssey*.
• Rob Yang (as Bryce): Yang plays one of the three arrogant, entitled tech investors who view the entire experience as a transaction. Yang is known for his work on *Succession*, where *The Menu*'s director, Mark Mylod, also served as a director and executive producer.

The combined talent of this cast—from the lead anti-hero to the various victims—is what elevates *The Menu* from a simple horror film to a multi-layered, dark comedy that continues to resonate with audiences who enjoy a biting critique of modern consumer culture. The film’s psychological thriller elements, coupled with its sharp dialogue, ensure its place as a modern cult classic, with its stars poised to dominate the cinematic landscape for years to come.