The following contains spoilers for The Menu, now in theaters.
One of the most interesting aspects of The Menu is the concept of the villain. Ralph Fiennes stars as Julian, a world-renowned five-star chef who's lured the elite to his island restaurant for a grim fate. They think they're there for a culinary delight and a masterclass in posh dining, but death's the main course, and they're the ingredients.
Julian's had enough of society's arrogance, selfishness and superficial nature, so he wants to make an example out of all these folks. However, as demented as the chef is, he's not the worst tyrant in the film. That title goes to Nicholas Hoult's Tyler, who represents everything wrong with the world today.
The Menu's Tyler Embodies Toxic Masculinity
Tyler brings his date Margot (Anna Taylor-Joy) to the event, but sadly, he's not a model boyfriend. He's quite the food snob, coming off condescending to her, snapping his fingers and barking orders, even telling her when to speak in the revered presence of the chef. She's never seen this side of him, although he's shown hints of his dark side, given how he flexes his wealth and ignores rules by taking food pics.
But Margot entertains it because she wants him to savor the experience with his favorite chef. After all, Tyler's an expert in food, cooking and travel, but again, he comes off as a royal jerk -- something Julian and his staff notice. And things get even darker when Tyler keeps eating, not caring about the bloodbath that's taking out staff members and some obnoxious guests.
The Menu's Tyler Lied to Margot
Julian eventually confronts Tyler and unravels a dark truth -- Tyler knew all along that the night would end with everyone dead in what's essentially a murder-suicide party. However, he was so enamored with Julian's vision and just wanted to be part of something special that he kept it quiet when the chef told him the plan in prior correspondences. It's why, after Tyler's original date bailed, he brought Margot, as he was required to have a partner.
It breaks Margot, framing into context why Tyler's been into the food and not aghast over all the deaths. Julian makes it clear he knew Tyler would keep mum, trusting how Tyler's twisted side and need for approval would allow him to hold the secret. It represents the typical rich person to Julian -- someone who doesn't care who they hurt as long as they get their moments of pleasure.
Ultimately, Julian serves up karma, though, ridiculing Tyler after the power-hungry boyfriend tries to make a dish, which causes Tyler to take his life. Margot does take pity when she sees his body. But she knows that while Julian's just about course-correcting society, Tyler took actual pleasure in hurting people.
To see how Tyler brings Margot to a death party, The Menu is in theaters now.