Since its release, The Menu has sparked debates, intrigued audiences, and earned acclaim for blending horror, satire, and high-stakes psychological tension. The film’s tight narrative structure, chilling revelations, and unforgettable climax make it memorable. But with the story mostly contained within that single evening and location, the question lingers: Could The Menu return with a sequel? And if so, where might it go?
The status: no sequel confirmed (yet)
To date, there has been no official announcement greenlighting The Menu 2. The creative team has not confirmed moving forward, and there is no public roadmap or timeline for continuation. The original production was not conceived as a franchise, which suggests that the decision to extend the story would require new momentum rather than being part of preplanned expansion.
The film’s very structure—self-contained, surprising, and ambiguous—makes a sequel risky. A follow-up would likely invite comparisons and scrutiny, and potentially undercut the mystery that made the original resonate.
Why a sequel is tempting
Despite the absence of confirmed plans, several factors make a sequel tempting from a narrative and commercial perspective:
- Survivor and loose endsThe film leaves Margot as the lone survivor. Her escape opens questions: What becomes of her? Does she tell the world what happened? Does she suffer psychological fallout? A sequel could pick up after the island to explore her life post-event, and whether she becomes a reluctant witness or target.
- Echoes of copycatsThe intensity and cult-like nature of the dinner show could inspire imitators. A sequel might reveal that the ideology behind Chef Slowik’s actions spreads—or that aspiring chefs attempt to replicate his philosophy, for better or worse.
- Chef Slowik’s backstory or legacyLittle is known about the origins of Slowik’s culinary obsession, his training, or the events that led him to orchestrate that fatal evening. A sequel might delve into his past, his motivations, or perhaps the institutional pressures that warped his ideals. Alternatively, Margot may become an unwilling custodian of his ethos—carrying his legacy forward.
- Genre blending possibilitiesThe original’s strength lies in combining satire, horror, and thriller elements. A sequel could lean into one or several of those directions. It might incorporate societal commentary, psychological exploration, or even show the broader ripple effects of what happened inside Hawthorn.
Challenges facing a sequel
A follow-up would face significant challenges. First, the self-sufficiency of the original—the way it builds tension through a single-night structure—makes expansion tricky without diluting its impact. Adding too many new plot threads or external settings could detract from the intimacy and claustrophobia that defined the first film.
Second, any sequel must justify its existence beyond commercial gain. It must feel motivated, not just opportunistic: the narrative needs to offer stakes that are organic rather than contrived.
Third, continuity and creative alignment are essential. Reassembling key cast, securing the original director and writers, and preserving a consistent tone would be difficult. If any piece feels off—shifting from subtle horror to outright spectacle—the sequel risks losing what made the first so compelling.
What creators have said so far
While the director and writers haven’t confirmed a sequel, they have shared thoughts that suggest enthusiasm for the film’s world. The director has spoken about the balance of dark comedy and tension in The Menu, highlighting how the thriller elements and satirical edges were intended to work in tandem. He’s also discussed his interest in pushing genre boundaries and infusing emotional weight into absurd or unsettling moments.
Writers have likewise revealed that their inspiration came from an experience at a remote island restaurant. That seed of isolation and tension carried through into the script’s structure, which mirrors the progression of a tasting menu—each course building, each encounter shifting power subtly.
Those statements indicate that the creative apparatus behind The Menu remains engaged with its themes and tone. Whether that interest transforms into a sequel remains uncertain, but the foundations for expansion are not absent.
Possible sequel scenarios: directions to take
Below are some hypothetical approaches a sequel might take:
- Post-island aftermathMargot, the survivor, may surface in public or retreat into obscurity. A follow-up could track her attempts to expose the truth, fight legal or societal obstacles, or cope with trauma. The broader public’s reaction—or disbelief—would add pressure and conflict.
- The spread of the doctrineThe philosophy behind Slowik’s dinner might attract new adherents or imitators. A sequel could show chefs or devotees replicating the theatrical tension of Hawthorn, perhaps escalating the danger as more people attempt to mimic the aesthetic.
- Backstory revelationsUnderstanding how Slowik became disillusioned, including influences from mentors, industry pressures, or personal tragedy, would add depth. Flashbacks or origin arcs might fill in his journey, anchoring the sequel in emotional history rather than just a new spectacle.
- Margot’s transformationOver time, Margot could become a new figure in that world—whether as a counterbalance, exposer, or even a reluctant participant. Her perspective may evolve from victim to something more ambiguous, reflecting the moral complexity of vengeance, survival, or responsibility.
- Alternate settingsThe sequel could leave the island but maintain tension in environments like high-end restaurants or culinary festivals where power dynamics mirror those of Hawthorn. The constraints might shift, but the thematic backbone—elitism, performance, consumption—would remain central.
What a sequel must deliver
For a sequel to succeed, several criteria seem critical:
- Emotional core and stakesIt must retain emotional resonance: the grief, guilt, and identity struggles that defined the original’s intensity.
- Continuity of toneThe balance of satire, horror, and character drama must stay intact. Overindulgence in spectacle or violence could undermine what made the first unique.
- Logical escalationEvery development should feel motivated—rooted in characters, themes, and the original logic of the film’s world.
- New narrative groundA sequel should expand rather than repeat. It needs to deepen the mythology, expose hidden consequences, or shift perspective firmly forward rather than rely on retread.
Should fans hope for one?
For viewers who celebrated the original’s audacity and surprise, the idea of a sequel is tantalizing. It offers a chance to revisit Margot’s fate, probe the ideology of creator and spectator, or see how the world reacts to revelations laid bare by that fateful dinner.
Yet there is risk: a sequel could overexplain, reduce the mystery, or spoil the ambiguity that fueled discussion. If handled carelessly, it might diminish rather than enhance the original’s impact.
At this moment, The Menu remains without a sequel—but the possibility is never far from imagination. With its provocative themes, strong visual identity, and creative team still invested in the world, a sequel could emerge when the right story aligns with the right moment.
Until then, the original remains a provocative, self-contained journey—a meal that lingers in memory—and perhaps it’s in that lingering mystery that The Menu remains most satisfying.