Scripts
THE MENU poster

Screenplay data

THE MENU script

Margot and Tyler travel to Hawthorn, an exclusive island restaurant, where Chef Slowik has prepared a special tasting menu for a select group of guests. As the evening progresses, Slowik's courses become increasingly disturbing, revealing his contempt for the wealthy elite and the culinary industry, leading to a staff member's suicide and a violent attack on the Chef. Margot, an escort hired by Tyler, discovers Slowik's personal cottage and a hidden room where she finds a radio and contacts the Coast Guard. Upon returning to the dining room, Margot challenges Slowik to make her a cheeseburger, which she eats while escaping on a Coast Guard boat as the restaurant and everyone inside are consumed by fire in Slowik's final, deadly culinary performance.

Writer
Seth Reiss & Will Tracy
IMDb ID (imdb_id)
tt9764362
59Scenes
17Characters
3Pages
1Dialogue samples

Save the Cat beat sheet

THE MENU Save the Cat analysis

An eager duo arrives at an exclusive island restaurant run by the enigmatic Chef Slowik.

Open full beat sheet
85

Key characters

UNKNOWN

UNKNOWN is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, UNKNOWN is connected to 49 scenes, 143 dialogue lines, first appearing around scene 1.

49 scenes / 143 dialogue lines

Margot Mills

Margot Mills is listed as Guest. A young woman, cynical and observant, from Brockton, Massachusetts. In the parsed data, Margot Mills is connected to 38 scenes, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 1.

38 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Elsa

Elsa is listed as Restaurant Captain. Severe, cold, and fiercely loyal to Chef Slowik. In the parsed data, Elsa is connected to 24 scenes, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.

24 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Tyler

Tyler is listed as Guest. A pretentious food enthusiast, obsessed with Chef Slowik. In the parsed data, Tyler is connected to 23 scenes, first appearing around scene 1.

23 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Julian Slowik

Julian Slowik is listed as Executive Chef. Brooding, intense, and perfectionist leader of Hawthorn. In the parsed data, Julian Slowik is connected to 19 scenes, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 17.

19 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Dave

Dave is listed as Tech Bro. Arrogant, wealthy, and rowdy tech investor. In the parsed data, Dave is connected to 19 scenes, first appearing around scene 2.

19 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Richard Liebrandt

Richard Liebrandt is listed as Guest. Wealthy, older, and unfaithful husband. In the parsed data, Richard Liebrandt is connected to 17 scenes, first appearing around scene 2.

17 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Lillian Bloom

Lillian Bloom is listed as Food Critic. Renowned critic for Saveur, influential in the culinary world. In the parsed data, Lillian Bloom is connected to 15 scenes, first appearing around scene 4.

15 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Movie Star

Movie Star is listed as Guest. A fading celebrity, insecure and food-obsessed. In the parsed data, Movie Star is connected to 15 scenes, first appearing around scene 1.

15 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Soren

Soren is listed as Tech Bro. Arrogant, wealthy, and rowdy tech investor. In the parsed data, Soren is connected to 14 scenes, first appearing around scene 1.

14 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Ted Feldman

Ted Feldman is listed as Editor. Lillian Bloom's editor. In the parsed data, Ted Feldman is connected to 14 scenes, first appearing around scene 1.

14 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Anne Liebrandt

Anne Liebrandt is listed as Guest. Richard's wife, observant and weary. In the parsed data, Anne Liebrandt is connected to 13 scenes, first appearing around scene 1.

13 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Felicity

Felicity is listed as Assistant. The Movie Star's assistant, planning to quit. In the parsed data, Felicity is connected to 11 scenes, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 1.

11 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Bryce

Bryce is listed as Tech Bro. Arrogant, wealthy, and rowdy tech investor. In the parsed data, Bryce is connected to 11 scenes, first appearing around scene 1.

11 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

char_16

char_16 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_16 is connected to 7 scenes, first appearing around scene 31.

7 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Katherine Keller

Katherine Keller is listed as Sous-chef. A talented sous-chef who suffered under Slowik. In the parsed data, Katherine Keller is connected to 7 scenes, first appearing around scene 15.

7 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Linda

Linda is listed as Guest. An older, sad woman, seemingly connected to Slowik. In the parsed data, Linda is connected to 5 scenes, first appearing around scene 16.

5 scenes / 0 dialogue lines

Scene outline

  1. 1. EXT. WATERFRONT DOCK

    Margot and Tyler wait for a boat to take them to Hawthorn while discussing the high cost of the meal and the importance of the night.

    Margot Mills, Tyler, Ted Feldman, Movie Star, Felicity, Bryce

  2. 2. INT. BOAT

    Guests enjoy a boat ride to the island and are served an amuse-bouche.

    Margot Mills, Tyler, Ted Feldman, Movie Star, Felicity, Dave

  3. 3. EXT. OCEAN

    The boat travels toward the island.

  4. 4. INT. BOAT

    Lillian Bloom recounts the culinary history of Chef Slowik.

    Margot Mills, Tyler, Lillian Bloom, Anne Liebrandt, Ted Feldman, Movie Star

  5. 5. EXT. OCEAN

    Boat continues transit.

  6. 6. EXT. HAWTHORN DOCK

    Guests disembark and are processed by Elsa.

    Margot Mills, Tyler, Elsa, Ted Feldman, Movie Star, Dave

  7. 7. EXT. CLEARING BY THE DOCK

    Elsa welcomes the guests and prepares to start the evening.

    Elsa, Bryce, Soren

  8. 8. EXT. DRIFTWOOD BEACH

    Elsa gives a tour of the grounds.

    Margot Mills, Tyler, Elsa, Lillian Bloom, Dave, Anne Liebrandt

  9. 9. EXT. SMOKEHOUSE

    Elsa approaches the smokehouse.

    Elsa

  10. 10. INT. SMOKEHOUSE

    Guests enter the smokehouse and are shown the aging meat.

    Elsa, Felicity

  11. 11. EXT. HAWTHORN GARDENS

    Elsa leads the guests through the gardens, explaining the source of their ingredients and acknowledging various dietary restrictions among the guests.

    Elsa, Dave, Richard Liebrandt, Soren, Felicity

  12. 12. EXT. GREAT LAWN

    The guests walk across the lawn; Elsa confronts Lillian Bloom about her past reviews.

    Elsa, Tyler, Margot Mills, Lillian Bloom

  13. 13. INT. BUNKHOUSE

    Elsa shows the guests the spartan living quarters of the staff, emphasizing the group's dedication.

    Elsa, Ted Feldman, Anne Liebrandt, Margot Mills, Movie Star

  14. 14. EXT. GREAT LAWN

    Tyler and Margot discuss the Chef and notice a cottage on the hill.

    Tyler, Margot Mills, Elsa

  15. 15. EXT. HAWTHORN RESTAURANT

    Guests enter the restaurant; Margot is seated in a specific spot, and Richard requests a seat change.

    Elsa, Katherine Keller, Margot Mills, Bryce, Soren

  16. 16. INT. KITCHEN

    Tyler visits the kitchen and talks with a sous-chef, who reveals they know his identity.

    Tyler, Margot Mills, Linda

  17. 17. INT. DINING ROOM

    Guests return to their tables; Chef Slowik makes his first appearance.

    Tyler, Margot Mills, Julian Slowik, Elsa

  18. 18. INT. DINING ROOM

    The 'Amuse Bouche' is served; conversations reveal the dynamics of the guests.

    Dave, Richard Liebrandt, Lillian Bloom, Anne Liebrandt, Ted Feldman, Movie Star

  19. 19. INT. DINING ROOM

    Chef Slowik introduces the 'Island' course.

    Julian Slowik, Lillian Bloom, Anne Liebrandt, Dave, Tyler, Margot Mills

  20. 20. INT. KITCHEN

    Chef observes the dining room and orders the next service.

    Julian Slowik

  21. 21. EXT. HAWTHORN ISLAND

    The restaurant is seen from afar as the sun sets.

  22. 21. INT. KITCHEN

    Chef Slowik prepares the kitchen staff for the next course.

    Julian Slowik

  23. 22. INT. DINING ROOM

    Bread service—or lack thereof—is presented.

    Margot Mills, Tyler, Julian Slowik, Richard Liebrandt, Dave, Lillian Bloom

  24. 22. EXT. HAWTHORN ISLAND

    The title card for the second course is displayed.

  25. 23. INT. DINING ROOM

    The second course is served, accompanied by traumatic revelations about Chef Slowik's past.

    Bryce, Soren, Margot Mills, Tyler, Dave, Richard Liebrandt

  26. 24. INT. SIDE HALLWAY

    Margot stops at a silver door and is intercepted by Elsa.

    Margot Mills, Elsa

  27. 25. INT. LADIES ROOM

    Chef Slowik confronts Margot in the bathroom.

    Margot Mills, Julian Slowik

  28. 26. INT. HAWTHORN DINING AREA AND KITCHEN

    Margot returns to her table as tensions among the guests escalate.

    Dave, Richard Liebrandt, Margot Mills, Tyler, Bryce, Elsa

  29. 27. INT. DINING ROOM

    Jeremy kills himself as part of the third course.

    Julian Slowik, Linda, Lillian Bloom, Anne Liebrandt, Margot Mills, Tyler

  30. 28. INT. KITCHEN

    Margot is summoned to the kitchen by Elsa.

    Margot Mills, Elsa, Tyler, Julian Slowik, Dave

  31. 29. INT. DINING ROOM

    Margot returns to her seat as tension builds.

    Margot Mills, Tyler

  32. 30. INT. DINING ROOM

    The fourth course is served and Chef explains his motivation.

    Ted Feldman, Movie Star, Felicity, Dave, Julian Slowik, Margot Mills

  33. 31. INT. CHEF SLOWIK'S OFFICE

    Margot confronts Chef in his office.

    Julian Slowik, Margot Mills

  34. 31. EXT. GREAT LAWN

    Chef Slowik announces the next course as 'Man's Folly', presented by Katherine, who stabs him in the thigh. He announces a 45-second head start for the men to escape.

    Margot Mills, Tyler, Julian Slowik, Elsa, Lillian Bloom, Ted Feldman

  35. 32. INT. DINING ROOM

    The guests are told to head outside.

    Julian Slowik, Elsa

  36. 32. EXT. GREAT LAWN

    Random shots of the men fleeing.

    Movie Star, Felicity

  37. 33. INT. HAWTHORN RESTAURANT

    The remaining women dine on the seventh course.

    Margot Mills, Lillian Bloom, Soren, Richard Liebrandt, Katherine Keller, char_16

  38. 34. EXT. THE WOODS

    Ted and the Movie Star are caught by staff.

    Dave, Anne Liebrandt, Linda

  39. 35. INT. HAWTHORN RESTAURANT

    Katherine serves bread to the women.

    Margot Mills, Elsa, Lillian Bloom, Soren, Richard Liebrandt, Katherine Keller

  40. 36. EXT. COASTLINE

    Soren tries to escape by boat.

    Movie Star

  41. 37. INT. HAWTHORN RESTAURANT

    The women discuss the morality of the menu.

    Margot Mills, Lillian Bloom, Soren, Richard Liebrandt, char_16

  42. 38. EXT. FARM/GARDENS

    Richard is captured.

    Bryce

  43. 39. INT. CHICKEN COOP

    Bryce is found in the chicken coop.

    Ted Feldman

  44. 41. INT. HAWTHORN RESTAURANT - DINING ROOM

    Tensions rise as Margot and Anne confront each other. Lillian attempts to break the tension by asking for a cigarette. The male guests are brought back into the room looking defeated. Tyler begins to binge eat while others observe the aftermath.

    Margot Mills, Soren, Lillian Bloom, char_16, Ted Feldman, Movie Star

  45. 42. INT. HAWTHORN RESTAURANT - DINING ROOM

    Chef Slowik confronts Tyler about his knowledge of the menu and forces him into the kitchen to cook.

    Julian Slowik, Tyler, Margot Mills, Elsa, Katherine Keller

  46. 43. INT. THE KITCHEN

    Tyler attempts to cook a dish under Chef Slowik's supervision. The result is pathetic and the Chef tastes it, spitting it out before dismissing Tyler to his office.

    Julian Slowik, Tyler, Margot Mills, Linda, char_16

  47. 44. INT. KITCHEN

    Chef Slowik tasks Margot with retrieving a barrel from the smokehouse.

    Julian Slowik, Margot Mills, Elsa

  48. 45. EXT. HAWTHORN ISLAND / WOODS / SMOKEHOUSE

    Margot travels to the smokehouse and collects a knife, observing the Chef's cottage.

    Margot Mills

  49. 46. INT. DINING ROOM

    The Movie Star tries to plead for his and Felicity's lives, but is rejected by Chef Slowik.

    Dave, Julian Slowik, Richard Liebrandt

  50. 47. INT. CHEF SLOWIK'S COTTAGE

    Margot enters the cottage, discovering it is a replica of the dining room.

    Margot Mills

  51. 48. INT. DINING ROOM

    The eighth course begins with the torture of the Movie Star and Lillian.

    Dave, Richard Liebrandt, Lillian Bloom

  52. 51. INT. CHEF SLOWIK'S COTTAGE

    Margot discovers the secret silver door and is confronted by Elsa. After a physical struggle in the kitchen, Margot kills Elsa and retrieves the key.

    Margot Mills, Elsa

  53. 52. INT. THE SECRET ROOM

    Margot enters Slowik's private haven, finds personal photos, and uses a radio to contact the Coast Guard.

    Margot Mills

  54. 53. INT. CHEF SLOWIK'S COTTAGE

    Margot returns to the dining room and communicates with Chef Slowik via intercom.

    Margot Mills, Julian Slowik

  55. 54. INT. HAWTHORN DINING AREA AND KITCHEN

    Margot returns to the restaurant, confronts Chef about his food, and requests a cheeseburger. A Coast Guard officer arrives but is subverted.

    Margot Mills, Tyler, Julian Slowik, Ted Feldman, Movie Star, Bryce

  56. 55. EXT. HAWTHORN ISLAND

    Margot boards a boat to leave the island.

    Margot Mills

  57. 56. INT. HAWTHORN DINING AREA AND KITCHEN

    The final course, the S'more, is prepared while the guests await their fate.

    Julian Slowik, char_16

  58. 57. INT. COAST GUARD BOAT

    Margot watches the restaurant burn while eating her burger.

    Margot Mills

  59. 58. EXT. ISLAND

    Firefighters investigate the wreckage, discovering the untouched secret room with a photo of a young Slowik.

Dialogue examples

Chef's Hands. "Asbestos hands." I can carry a cast-iron from a hot oven to your table with no protection. That's a cook's training. I can no longer be hurt, Margot. As Dr. King said, "We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor. It must be demanded by the oppressed."

UNKNOWN / Scene 3

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