**Note: the movie referenced in this post is not suitable for children and I do not recommend anyone underage watching it. Have that conversation with your parents, my young friends!**

I’d never been a fan of horror/thriller movies. My favorite horror movie growing up was The Mummy with Brendan Fraiser. While my sister swears that is NOT a horror movie, I am grown-up enough to now admit it is more of a comedy-horror. It’s a fun movie regardless of the genre.

I digress into the topic of horror movies because I’m trying to kickstart my writing again, and I have been starting to watch more horror movies. I recently watched The Menu for the second time, and I decided – were it not for the blood – I could see myself back in high school writing a paper on the message conveyed by the movie.

This is not a true essay, as I will not be citing any sources or references, double-spacing the text, or filling out five thousand words.

My thesis for this essay is that the movie, The Menu, has the depth of interpretation to equal a Shakespearian Tragedy.

In my junior year, I had to read Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, which we read as a companion piece to our Shakespeare studies, that followed the exploits of two minor characters from Hamlet. That play, and all our Shakespearian studies centered around the interpretations and meaning behind the actual words written by the author. One of the most impressive aspects of Shakespeare’s writing is the layers of meaning embedded into the various plays and sonnets. The Menu, too, has several layers of meaning and interpretations.

At the surface, the literal plot and script are eye-rolly and defy believability. I have found this to be the mark of many horror movies, so it is not surprising. The characters walk willingly into a situation most sane individuals would find ridiculously sketchy and avoid. After which, their lives are endangered as they make progressively terrified and stupid decisions.

The nuance and brilliance of the script come from the way it can be interpreted in many, diverse ways. Is this a statement on class? As they are described in the movie, between those who give and those who take. If it is a statement on class differences, what statement is being made? Margot says, “But I die either way? It’s arbitrary.” So, what is the difference, and does the viewer’s interpretation of this vary depending upon their own experiences?

Even the over-the-top, individual courses have layers. What sacrifices are our dreams worth? Do we have the right dreams? Do we know ourselves well enough to know the right dreams? What if we follow the wrong dream, are we done?

As a horror movie, it often follows the darkest of the paths available, but I like to think most of us are the survivor in the story. We have the opportunity to explore these questions, find ourselves, and adjust course if necessary.

I’ll leave it there, giving you nearly five hundred words, and ask, “If you’ve seen The Menu, which course made you think deeper?”