Netflix Just Landed One Of The Best Horror Comedy Movies Of This Decade

Forbes - Feb 2nd, 2025

Netflix's current top original film, 'Back in Action' with Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx, faces tough competition from a licensed pickup, 'The Menu', which holds the #3 spot. Released in 2022, 'The Menu' is being hailed as one of the best horror comedies of the decade. Featuring an exceptional cast including Nicholas Hoult, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Ralph Fiennes, the film combines elements of horror and black comedy in a unique way. Although its genre is difficult to define, the movie has received high praise from critics, boasting an 88% score, and despite a slightly lower audience score of 76%, it remains a favorite for its originality and standout performances.

Set on a coastal island, 'The Menu' follows a couple visiting an exclusive restaurant with a menu full of shocking surprises prepared by the enigmatic chef, played by Ralph Fiennes. While the premise might not sound thrilling, the film's peculiar narrative style and the actors' compelling portrayals make it a remarkable viewing experience. As the film continues to gain popularity, it highlights the growing trend of unconventional storytelling in cinema and underscores the importance of strong character-driven plots in the success of modern films.

Netflix The Menu Horror Comedy Nicholas Hoult Anya Taylor Joy Ralph Fiennes Black Comedy Film Critique

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.0

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides an engaging and personal perspective on the film 'The Menu,' with the author's enthusiasm evident throughout. While it offers clear language and readability, the article's accuracy is somewhat limited by its reliance on personal opinion and lack of external sources. The narrative is largely unbalanced, as it primarily reflects the author's viewpoint without incorporating diverse perspectives. Despite this, the article remains timely and relevant to fans of the genre, though its impact is limited to influencing individual viewing choices rather than broader cultural or societal shifts. Overall, the article serves as an entertaining piece for movie enthusiasts but lacks the depth and objectivity needed for a comprehensive film analysis.

Accuracy

The story contains several factual claims that can be verified, such as the cast of 'The Menu' and its genre classification as a horror comedy or black comedy. The mention of its critic and audience scores (88% and 76%, respectively) can be verified through review aggregators like Rotten Tomatoes. However, the statement that 'The Menu' is one of the best horror comedies of the decade is subjective and not easily verifiable. Additionally, the claim that Nicholas Hoult and Anya Taylor-Joy have increased in popularity since the film's release is plausible but requires further evidence, such as career milestones or increased media presence. The story also mentions Ralph Fiennes' involvement in 'Conclave' and its potential for Oscars, which would need current data to confirm.

Balance

The article primarily presents a single viewpoint, that of the author, who expresses a strong personal opinion about the quality of 'The Menu.' While the author acknowledges that the movie may not appeal to everyone, the overall tone is one of personal endorsement, which might overshadow other critical perspectives. The lack of diverse viewpoints or counterarguments suggests a degree of bias, particularly in the depiction of Netflix's original content as 'hit and miss' without providing evidence or contrasting opinions.

Clarity

The article is written in a conversational and engaging style, making it easy to follow. The language is clear, and the author's enthusiasm for the film is evident, which helps maintain reader interest. However, the structure could be improved by organizing the information more logically, such as separating factual claims from personal opinions. Despite this, the overall clarity is strong, with a coherent narrative and accessible language.

Source quality

The article does not reference any external sources or expert opinions to substantiate its claims. It relies heavily on the author's personal views and interpretations, which diminishes the reliability of the information presented. The absence of authoritative sources or data to back up claims about the film's ranking or the actors' popularity undermines the credibility of the narrative. The reliance on personal opinion rather than verifiable sources limits the article's overall quality.

Transparency

The article is transparent in terms of the author's personal biases and preferences, as they openly share their opinion about the film. However, it lacks transparency regarding the basis for some claims, such as the film's ranking or comparisons to other movies. The author's personal recommendations and affiliations, such as links to their social media and novels, are disclosed, which adds a layer of transparency about potential conflicts of interest.