The story of how a scholarship student changes one family’s life permanently – we discuss it all in our review of Saltburn.
You may be talking about the hottest movies that are coming up in 2024, but I want to go back and talk about one of the most enthralling films I’ve watched in 2023. You might’ve seen reaction videos all over TikTok – yes, I’m talking about Saltburn and I just had to review it. This movie has taken the internet by storm with its shocking content and uncensored shows of debauchery. Although, you can probably guess the content by the fact that Barry Keoghan is starring in it. If you’ve seen his other performances in films like The Killing of a Sacred Deer and Banshees of Inisherin, you know you’re in for a ride. So, let’s get into my Saltburn review.
Warning: spoilers ahead as we delve into the delicious details of the film. If you’re looking to watch this, I recommend going in blind and reading this after. Oh, and a top tip: watch it alone. You’ll thank me later.
Saltburn review: Is it love, lust, or loathing?
Set in the early 2000s, we’re introduced to scholarship student Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan) who enters his first year at the University of Oxford. Placed out of his element, he is an awkward and shy individual who’s struggling socially to fit in amongst his peers. That is, until he comes upon the affluent Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi) who welcomes him with open arms. The two form an unlikely friendship, sharing secrets and fun facts about their lives.
After receiving news of his father’s tragic death, Oliver confides in Felix, who invites him to spend the summer at his family’s estate, Saltburn. We start to get hints of Oliver’s unhealthy obsession with Felix, and it’ll leave you in suspense because nothing good can happen from an obsession driven by love. After being introduced to Felix’s family – consisting of his parents Sir James (Richard E. Grant) and Lady Elspeth (Rosamund Pike), sister Venetia (Alison Oliver), and American cousin Farleigh (Archie Madekwe) – we’re thrown into the weird and quirky world of the rich.
From Elspeth’s absolute hate for anything ugly to playing tennis in suits while inebriated, it’s clear that Oliver doesn’t belong. However, that doesn’t stop him from lapping up every second of being in Saltburn. But good times must all come to an end – and thus we begin the descent into madness.
The beauty in the macabre
The first thing I say to anyone when I talk about my review of Saltburn is that it’s disgusting – but in all the right ways. It’s delectably grotesque and deliciously deplorable. After romanticising the acts of Joe from Netflix’s You, we’re treated to the disgust and shock we’re meant to feel with someone as manic as Oliver. I won’t go into the details of specific scenes. But they’re gross for a reason. I can’t tell you how many times I screamed, “Dude, seriously?!” at the screen in disgust and awe.
The main point of Saltburn explores what obsession and desire look like. How they transform into something ugly and become destructive. Oliver is as ordinary as they come, desperate to be part of something he was never meant to be involved in. As soon as he gets a taste of what Saltburn has to offer, he can’t bear to let it go. The number of cringy, secondhand embarrassment moments that happen in the film makes your heart ache and your skin crawl. You almost feel bad for Oliver because it depicts just how out of place he is.
However, there’s a symbolic beauty to these scenes if you look past how revolting they are. Oliver slurping up Felix’s leftover bathwater in an act of reverence is artistic in nature, despite how nasty it is. His sex scene with Venetia was about almost literally eating her up, an ode to the “eat the rich” rhetoric. Plus, when everyone forgot Oliver’s name during the birthday song at his birthday party? Embarrassing. No matter how hard he tried, he was never regarded as part of the upper class.
It’s not always sunny in a rich man’s world
Past the concept of obsession, this movie is also a blatant jab at the rich, exploring class divides one might envy if found in the unfavourable position of being poor. Shown in almost every member of the Catton family, the lofty nature of the privileged is revealed. While the movie doesn’t delve deep into the issues of class systems (despite being set in the UK where aristocracy is still highly regarded), it doesn’t shy away from poking fun at the wealthy.
Beauty is highly valued, as seen by how the family handle themselves and their expectations of guests. You can see it in the way Elspeth openly admits to having a fear of ugliness, disparaging her family friend Pamela, and the way they dress in black tie attire for dinner. It’s preposterous and satirical in oddly comedic ways.
But beauty isn’t enough to keep anyone’s attention, especially to people who have everything. Even the estate in all its exterior glory falls victim to this superficial purview of prettiness. Despite its opulence and grandeur, Saltburn is littered with shabby elements like forgotten flypaper and rubbish. It’s lived in, as a home should be. But the relics and historical energy go forgotten, becoming passing anecdotes.
Yet, despite this family’s nonchalance, you’ll find yourself feeling for them. You’re struck with the same grief of loved ones lost and a protective instinct when you see them naively fall for manipulative flattery. Although silly and self-absorbed, the Cattons are just another family. One that has a lot of money, but still an innocent family that didn’t deserve what happened to them.
Indulgent details and rich foreshadowing
Even if you dislike the movie and want to give Saltburn a negative review, you must give props to director Emerald Fennell and her incredible eye for detail. From the aspect ratio to set and costume design, every little thing has a part to play in the movie. When that’s all put together, you get the all-encompassing Saltburn vibe.
One thing I love is the foreshadowing. The film is an absolute treasure trove full of hints and mini discoveries throughout. I’ll be honest, I didn’t catch all of them even after the second watch. If you’re just as keen on analysing the details, TikTok will be your best friend. From character deaths to insinuations of Oliver’s true nature, you get cheeky glimpses of pivotal details that easily go unnoticed.
My favourite has to be the nods to Greek mythology, specifically the story of the Minotaur who was forced to live within a labyrinth. Bull motifs can be seen throughout the film with Oliver in frame, hinting at his vicious nature. While the Minotaur was a peaceful creature at birth, it soon turned ravenous and violent, eating humans and becoming a skilled hunter.
The myth is paralleled in Oliver’s behaviour during the film, where he starts calm and somewhat innocently cunning. But as his facade falls apart, so does he. Instead of understated, his actions become explosive. I’ve also read that the minotaur statue in the film was sculpted based on Barry Keoghan’s body. Even though there’s no confirmation of that, it adds to the brilliance of the movie’s subliminal messaging.
Multiple rewatches to come
At its core, the film is about love. Despite admitting he hated Felix, Oliver is a liar and manipulator – even to himself. His confession to Elspeth at the end reads like an attempt to regain power. Because he lost Felix, he finds comfort in believing it was all intentional. He convinces himself that he detested all of them and that his ultimate goal is the luxuries of Saltburn which he now owns. But it’s merely a consolation prize in comparison to what he once loved.
I admit the ending and twists were rather predictable, but that doesn’t take away from the beauty of this film and all its details. I’ll marvel at the cinematography, casting, and aura of this movie for a long time and highly recommend giving it a watch.
If you’re like me and can’t get enough of Saltburn, consider turning to director Emerald Fennell’s debut film, Promising Young Woman. Or get more of Barry Keoghan in The Killing of a Sacred Deer, another psychological thriller that will shock you. If you want to see more of Archie Madekwe (who played Felix’s cousin, Farleigh), Gran Turismo is a good movie to watch next. As for me, I plan on sitting through Euphoria to see what the Jacob Elordi hype is all about. Hopefully, I can stick with it this time.
