Unveiling the Secrets Behind "The Menu": A Scene-By-Scene Dissection That Will Change How You See the Film Forever

Here is my take on this exercise from a previous series of posts — How To Read A Screenplay:

After a first pass, it’s time to crack open the script for a deeper analysis and you can do that by creating a scene-by-scene breakdown. It is precisely what it sounds like: A list of all the scenes in the script accompanied by a brief description of the events that transpire.

For purposes of this exercise, I have a slightly different take on scene. Here I am looking not just for individual scenes per se, but a scene or set of scenes that comprise one event or a continuous piece of action. Admittedly this is subjective and there is no right or wrong, the point is simply to break down the script into a series of parts which you then can use dig into the script’s structure and themes.

The value of this exercise:

• We pare down the story to its most constituent parts: Scenes.
• By doing this, we consciously explore the structure of the narrative.
• A scene-by-scene breakdown creates a foundation for even deeper analysis of the story.

Today: The Menu (2022). You may download the script here.

Written by Seth Reiss and Will Tracy.

Plot summary: A young couple travels to a remote island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises.

The Menu
Written by Seth Ross & Will Tracy
Scene by Scene Breakdown by Rase McCray
GoIntoTheStory.com

p. 1–4. MARGOT and TYLER wait at a dock, tensely commenting on the arrival of the other guests: Rich tech-nerd bros BRYCE, SOREN, and DAVE; wealthy regulars RICHARD and ANNE LIEBRANDT; self-important food critic LILLIAN BLOOM and toady editor, TED; and an aging MOVIE STAR with his young assistant FELICITY. As their boat arrives, Tyler is vastly more excited for their upcoming dinner at Hawthorn than Margot, out of her element even as she recognizes Richard.

p. 4–6. Aboard the ship, the Tech Bros whisper among themselves that the Movie Star is a has-been; Tyler comments to Margot that the Star is also only a pretend foodie.

p. 6–10. A small appetizer (oyster in…