The Menu is a comedy-horror that was screened at the Toronto Film Festival on September 10, 2022, with a November 18, 2022, theatrical premiere date. The film stars the likes of Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicholas Hoult, and Ralph Fiennes, along with a solid cast in a story centering on a young couple’s visit to a restaurant whose chef has a freakishly questionable menu.
Naturally, viewers will want to be up to speed with the best performances of the cast, and it’s interesting to check out what these are. These range from Taylor-Joy’s massively praised turn in Harry Potter series, among many other lists of credits of the rest of the cast.
Anya Taylor-Joy: The Queen's Gambit (2020)
Stream On Netflix
Taylor-Joy had already been in numerous movies and shows that had made her an A-list star, but The Queen’s Gambit arguably brought her the greatest critical acclaim. It won Taylor-Joy the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress, in addition to numerous other honors.
The Queen’s Gambit brought one of the best roles for Anya Taylor-Joy to play, centering around a chess champion who has to deal with a number of personal demons. The Queen’s Gambit remarkably attracted the audience to chess, as the show’s many twists and turns guaranteed steady viewership.
Hong Chau: Downsizing (2017)
Rent On Google Play
Downsizing has an interesting premise, where Matt Damon’s character chooses to shrink as part of a new experiment where people are downsized to prevent overpopulation. Hong Chau plays Damon’s love interest, whose activism opens the protagonist’s eyes to the injustices of the world as the two prepare to combat a possible extinction event.
Downsizing received generally mixed reviews, with critics claiming that the film didn’t live up to the platform it set. However, Hong Chau’s performance was unanimously praised as the highlight of Downsizing, garnering her multiple award nods and a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best ing Actress.
John Leguizamo: John Wick (2014)
Rent On Itunes
There are many action tropes that John Wick prescribes, with John Leguizamo’s character fulfilling the loyal friend role. The story is about the titular assassin’s bid for revenge against the men that broke into his house and killed his dog.
Leguizamo’s character provides to John by ing vital information about the whereabouts of his targets. John Wick was lauded for its noir presentation and surprisingly emotional story, with Leguizamo returning for the sequel as well while John Wick has since gone on to become a franchise.
Reed Birney: House Of Cards (2013-18)
Stream On Netflix
House of Cards is a political thriller focusing on Frank Underwood, who goes through any lengths necessary to become the President of the United States. Frank’s many crimes that he sweeps under the rug make up the show’s dramatic territory, with Reed Birney playing his vice president.
Birney’s character is one of the moral people in a landscape where such virtues are signs of weakness. House of Cards was one of the first Netflix original series to take off in critical and commercial popularity, bringing Birney his most well-known role to date.
Nicholas Hoult: The Great (2020-)
Stream On Hulu
Nicholas Hoult has received many nominations for his role as Peter III in The Great, which follows Catherine in her rise to becoming the Empress of Russia. Hoult has showcased his knack for comedy in the series that takes on a satirical approach to historical events.
The Great has been praised for its lighthearted style toward material that really should be dark and grim. Hoult has displayed his acting range in the series since the actor was largely known for his dramatic chops before The Great put all debate to rest. Despite playing an antagonistic role, Hoult has managed to make Peter III come across as among the most likable characters in The Great.
Janet McTeer: Tumbleweeds (1999)
Rent On Itunes
Tumbleweeds is a coming-of-age drama that brought Janet McTeer significant critical praise. The story centers around a mother-daughter pair who constantly switch towns due to the mother’s flighty nature. But when her daughter finally finds a place she belongs, the duo’s dynamic is put into question.
Tumbleweeds garnered Janet McTeer with the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress, to go with an Oscar nomination. McTeer was praised for blending comedy with drama, as her character can be both frustrating and sympathetic based on the scene in question.
Aimee Carrero: Young & Hungry (2014-18)
Buy On Google Play
Aimee Carrero got her first regular role with Young & Hungry, a sitcom about young chef Gabi who falls in love with her millionaire boss. Carrero plays Sofia, Gabi’s roommate and a career-driven woman who has sights on her own goals.
Young & Hungry’s status as a multi-cam sitcom meant that the series focused largely on the comedic aspect of things, with Carrero’s character supplying quite a lot through her quirky personality. The show served as the starting point for Carrero’s live-action career to take off since she had already had some credits as a voice actor.
Paul Adelstein: Private Practice (2007-13)
Stream On Hulu
Grey’s Anatomy, managing to carve its own legacy with a six-year run. Paul Adelstein stayed with the show throughout its run, with his stories centering around his character’s turbulent relationship with his love interest.
Private Practice had a successful run where it focused on doctors at a wellness center, deviating in style and presentation from Grey’s Anatomy. Adelstein was one of the fixtures of the series that had seen several cast revolving after various exits.
Judith Light: Ugly Betty (2006-10)
Stream On Amazon Prime Video
Ugly Betty follows America Ferrera’s titular character as an unfashionable woman who nevertheless lands a job at a fashion magazine. Judith Light appeared as the owner of MODE magazine where Betty worked, with the character embroiled in a lot of family drama bidding for full ownership.
Light was one of the few cast to be nominated for an Emmy Award during her time in Ugly Betty, as her character stood out for her devious but charming nature. Ugly Betty wasn’t a ratings' success but has had a dedicated fanbase ever since it first aired.
Ralph Fiennes: Harry Potter Series (2001-11)
Stream On Peacock
Ralph Fiennes deserves credit for establishing just how evil Voldemort is in Harry Potter, as the actor portrayed the main antagonist. He first appeared in the fourth film when Voldemort gained a new body, with Fiennes staying with the series right until the end when Voldemort was finally defeated.
Fiennes was a critically and commercially well-known actor long before he appeared in Harry Potter, but the role of Voldemort made him popular among young viewers. The actor was praised for bringing a certain nefarious quality to Voldemort that was distinct from the books, although his tendency to be hammy in the role has also been noted.
