Elitism and Class Struggle in The Menu (2022): Representations of Social Inequality and Resistance

Abstract

This study aims to examine how social class discrimination is depicted in the film and how the main characters respond to and navigate such discrimination. This research employs a qualitative method to analyze the narrative, characters, and dialogue in the movie. The theoretical framework is based on social class theory by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels (1998) and discrimination theory by Robert A. Baron and Nyla R. Branscombe (2012). These theories are used to explore the dynamics of class hierarchy, power relations, and discriminatory practices represented in the film. The findings reveal that class divisions are portrayed through the contrast between the wealthy elite guests and the working-class individuals who serve them. The film illustrates how economic power shapes social interactions, reinforces elitism, and creates rigid hierarchical structures. Furthermore, the analysis demonstrates how the main character confronts and resists these class-based inequalities. Rather than conforming to the expectations imposed by the wealthy patrons or the restaurant’s authoritarian system, she asserts her individuality and challenges the oppressive class structure. Ultimately, the study concludes that The Menu critiques social stratification by exposing the absurdity and cruelty of elitism, while highlighting resistance as a means of overcoming and escaping systems of discrimination