Saltburn, directed by Emerald Fennel, stars Jacob Elordi, Barry Keoghan, and Rosamund Pike. The seemingly scandalous film of the winter has made many ripples following its debut. This jaw dropping thriller with its mind boggling plot makes this film a must watch.
Saltburn follows the journey of Ollie (Keoghan) as he begins his first year at the University of Oxford in the early 2000s. When Ollie becomes an acquaintance to the wealthy Felix Catton (Elordi), he slowly reveals his traumatic life to him. Felix, feeling pity for him, invites Ollie to his Saltburn estate for holiday. Upon his arrival at the estate, Ollie is enamored with the Cattom family and their peculiar customs. He is especially attracted to Felix’s sister Venitia and seems to clash with their American cousin Farleigh. As the summer progresses, Ollie is completely accepted into the family. After a particularly interesting turn of events, Ollie’s truth is exposed to Felix that his life is quite average and he comes from a great family. Felix being hurt banishes Ollie, but Ollie initiates his plan to bring down the Catton family once and for all. One by one, members of the family turn up dead all thanks to the brilliance of Ollie.
What makes Saltburn even more interesting besides THAT shocking scene is it’s underlining relevant messages. The film focuses on feelings of obsession and the intense measures one would go to satisfy those desires. The film also touches on class differences. The Catton family represents the upper class that is plagued by entitlement while Ollie represents the lower class in the U.K. The film explores the relationship between the wealthy and the humble. Consciousness versus oblivion. Saltburn critiques the societal makeup and structure of the U.K at the time. Additionally, the film is accompanied by an incredible soundtrack with artists such as MGMT, The Killers, and Bloc Party. The song that has been at the forefront of the film and has seen a revival since its debut in 2002 is Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Murder On The Dance floor.
Saltburn has been well received amongst viewers as it received a 71% on Rotten Tomatoes and grossed $20.8 million in the Box Office. The film has been well talked about on TikTok and has been shocking viewers ever since its release. I personally enjoyed the film and its aesthetic. I loved the visuals of the film and found the intense scenes a breath of fresh air for cinema for challenging the status quo. I do however advise that the film is graphic and not suitable for younger audiences.
