While witnessing Barry Keoghan slurp up Jacob Elordi’s bathwater (which was tainted with a dash of ‘mystery’ by the way—if you know, you know) was… intriguing, the true essence of ‘Saltburn’ lies in its exhilarating and frequently provocative spectacle. This captivating experience is enhanced by its opulent production values and daring performances, making it a must-see!
Written, directed and produced by Emerald Fennell, ‘Saltburn’ (2023) is a dark comedy psychological thriller film that follows Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan), a scholarship student at Oxford University, who becomes obsessed with Felix (Jacob Elordi), a wealthy fellow student in his college, who invites him to spend the summer at his eccentric family’s estate.
SALTBURN PLOT SUMMARY
Set in 2006, ‘Saltburn’ opens to Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan), an unassuming scholarship student, as he enters his prestigious university. With his plain appearance and demeanor, Oliver is not the center of attention. The spotlight, however, belongs to Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi), a wealthy student always surrounded by admirers.
Oliver is immediately captivated by Felix’s charisma and finds himself drawn to this prominent personality. However, Felix doesn’t notice him, and Oliver befriends Michael Gavey (Ewan Mitchell), a knowledge-obsessed geek, due to a lack of other options.
Oliver’s infiltration into Felix’s inner circle begins with a ‘chance encounter’ on the road, which leads to Oliver offering Felix his bicycle, marking the first interaction between the two. Felix, unaware of Oliver’s presence at the same school, acknowledges him for the first time.
During a bar outing with Michael, Felix invites Oliver to join their table. Despite feeling embarrassed about his appearance, Oliver accepts the invitation. Under peer pressure, Oliver buys drinks for everyone, and Felix discreetly lends him money. Oliver appreciates his growing status, even if it means distancing himself from the eccentric Michael.
As their connection deepens, Oliver and Felix become closer. Oliver soon confides in Felix about his ‘difficult family situation’, including his father’s untimely death. Felix empathizes and offers him a refuge from his troubles with an invitation for Oliver to stay at Saltburn over the summer. Oliver seems reluctant at first, but eventually agrees to stay at Felix’s lavish mansion.
Upon arriving at Saltburn, Oliver experiences an immediate sense of inadequacy. The Cattons’ guide, Duncan (Paul Rhys), adds to his unease by intimidating him during the walk to his room. Despite Felix’s attempts to reassure him, Oliver remains uneasy, particularly when faced with the grandeur of the interiors.
Upon meeting them, the Cattons unwittingly aggravate his sense of exclusion. Felix’s mother, Elsbeth (Rosamund Pike) and her friend Pamela (Carey Mulligan) regard Oliver as an object of fascination.
Felix’s sister, Vanetia (Alison Oliver), finds amusement in Oliver’s awkwardness and unfamiliarity with their social etiquette. Felix’s father, Sir James (Richard E. Grant) merely tolerates his presence as a guest, and Felix’s cousin, Farleigh (Archie Madekwe) is as spiteful as ever.
However, as Oliver becomes more entrenched in the lives of the Cattons, his obsession with Felix intensifies, leading to a sequence of shocking and provocative events.
SALTBURN ANALYSIS
The first act of the film serves primarily as a satirical portrayal of the affluent class, using abundant humour to depict Oxford University and the lives of wealthy families. Enter ‘nerdy’ Oliver and his apparent fixation on Felix, initially perceived to be a crush.
The boys eventually cross paths, and while Oliver maintains his guise as the shy, nerdy guy, my focus shifts to Felix as we meet him properly for the first time, along with Oliver. Right then, I noticed something about him.
In this scene, Felix appears as amiable as ever, perhaps even more so than Oliver anticipated. However, there’s a distinct aura of ‘conscious niceness’ about him. I observed a person well-aware of his privilege, yet actively working to temper any snobbishness or ingrained classism.
Despite this effort, moments of entitlement slip through, such as assuming Oliver, who helped him with his bike, would willingly push his punctured bike back to school.
It becomes evident how accustomed Felix is to people wanting to please him. My initial analysis of Felix’s character gains further validation as the film progresses, with more of these traits manifesting in his behavior.
Surprisingly, the boys become close following this interaction. However, with Oliver consistently highlighting their differences in wealth, then getting with Felix’s fling, Annabel (Sadie Soverall), at the first chance he gets, it becomes unclear if he wants to be with Felix or if he wants his status and to be him specifically.
Anyway, Felix extends an invitation to Oliver to spend the summer break in Saltburn, and this sparks a series of tumultuous events.
We arrive at Saltburn, and the magnificent manor immediately steals the whole show, conveniently setting the tone for the rest of the film.
Drayton House, the country estate featured in the film, is a fortified mansion located in Northamptonshire and owned by the Stopford-Sackville family since 1770. The Baroque-style estate boasts 127 rooms, each exuding aristocratic charm. Beyond the manse, the extensive 200-acre grounds encompass pools, gardens, and a hedge maze, providing an ideal backdrop for the intense scenes in Saltburn.
(Fun Fact: The location was specifically selected because it had never been featured in a film before.)
The combination of the mansion and the intense summer heat establishes a distinctive ambiance that shapes the characters’ actions and relationships, contributing to the overall atmosphere of the film.
The lavishness and luxury of the estate mirror the film’s themes of affluence, longing, and privilege. Consequently, the estate takes on a persona of its own, symbolizing the extravagance and intricacies of the depicted world in the film.
Moreover, the cinematography and visual representation of the setting contribute to the film’s overall aesthetic and storytelling. ‘Saltburn’ is filmed in a 1.33:1 aspect ratio, a clever decision by both Fennell and the unconventional cinematographer Linus Sandgren, known for his inventive format.
This enhances the sense of the audience immersing themselves in this captivating world. Sandgren skillfully captures the estate and its surroundings, infusing the vivid colour into the striking imagery and scenes of lavish celebration.
From the second act onward, ‘Saltburn’ takes a jarring turn. It features intense sequences filled with moments that may shock certain viewers, so it’s advisable for viewers to be prepared. Personally, I entered the viewing well-prepared, having read comments on Twitter, particularly about the trending infamous bathtub scene.
Despite this, I still found my jaw dropping at some of the visuals presented. It’s worth noting, however, that while some visuals effectively convey the mental state of Oliver and Felix, others seem to shock merely for the sake of it, lacking a meaningful connection to the overall storyline.
At the end of the film, we are exposed to Oliver’s true feelings towards Felix, resulting in a profound sense of betrayal. Oliver adeptly conceals his true self from the Cattons, proudly acknowledging his successful deception in the final scene with the words, “I put in the work.” However, upon reflection, did he really? I don’t think so. Not when his victims are wealthy, self-obsessed snobs.
This aligns with the central theme of ‘Saltburn’, a film that portrays the wealthy as so engrossed in scrutinizing and looking down on the less fortunate that they fail to recognize Oliver’s fixation, psychological manipulation, and the disturbing extremes he is willing to go to achieve his goals.
An intriguing aspect here revolves around the disregard for ‘stranger danger’, not necessarily due to naivety, but stemming from a repulsive display of self-importance and unbridled ego.
In contrast, the cast of ‘Saltburn’ undeniably put in the work. Barry Keoghan, no stranger to portraying unconventional characters, fully embraces the role of Oliver with unflinching commitment, delivering a captivating performance.
The remaining cast members also contribute stellar performances. Keoghan and Elordi’s on-screen chemistry stand out, undoubtedly enhancing the overall success of the film.
While the ending of ‘Saltburn’ offered crucial answers, it also sparked questions for me, particularly about the dynamic between Oliver and Elsbeth, Felix’s mother.
Am I the only one sensing that a possible romantic affair happened between them during their time at Saltburn, extending into the years that followed?
Let me know your thoughts in the comment section below!
CONCLUSION
Overall, the early stages of ‘Saltburn’ carry a humorous and satirical tone, but the subsequent parts of the film offer an intense and debauched experience that may be overwhelming for certain viewers.
If you’re sensitive to graphic or offensive content, this movie might not be suitable for you. It’s also worth noting that some visuals seem designed for shock value.
Nevertheless, the film boasts polished performances and impeccable cinematography, making it a compelling choice for those who appreciate psychological drama.
Great review! Really enjoyed reading this. And yes, I definitely think Elsbeth had an affair with Oliver and that was the main reason Felix’s father was willing to write him a check so he could leave!
This is so captivating!! Now I’m eager to go stream it. Keep it up Sherif.