‘Saltburn’ (2023) Review

I recently watched “Saltburn” with a friend after we realised we had befriended the director – Emerald Fennell’s – sister at a wedding we attended recently. We were both pleasantly surprised by the satirical nature of the film and its exploration of wealth, privilege, and the consuming nature of obsession. Rosamund Pike’s one-liners and the stunning visuals and a haunting score created a perfect cinematic experience.

The Story

The film follows Oxford University scholarship student Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan), who becomes infatuated with the enigmatic and affluent Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi). After befriending Felix, Oliver is invited to the Catton family estate, Saltburn, for the summer. As Oliver becomes more entwined with Felix and his alluring yet dysfunctional family, the veneer of their perfect wealthy life starts to crack.

There are many moments in the film that went viral due to their apparent “shocking” nature, however, having now watched the film these scenes are not just there as talking points. The film shows how, despite being perfect on the outside, the rich Catton family and their carefree lifestyle is a show. It uses these shocking scenes not (just) to make the audience uncomfortable, but to show how deep the characters are willing to sink to perpetuate their desires. The film itself flows well, and these moments are well-paced and do not feel like out-of-place gags to get the audience talking, but a deliberate decent into obsession and delusion. 

The Cast

As mentioned, Rosamund Pike gave an amazing performance which, for me, stole the show. Her one-liners were amazing and the air of self-absorbed, naivety made her character so compelling to watch.  

Barry Keoghan delivered a very strong performance as Oliver, portraying his vulnerability, ambition, and eventual descent into obsession deftly. Keoghan even improvised a few scenes himself, which I found to be very impressive. Jacob Elordi’s performance was equally strong and exuded the charm and a latent menace that kept us guessing about his true intentions. 

The Theme

Emeral Fennell’s direction was both bold and nuanced and blended suspense and tension with witty dark humour. The social commentary on class and privilege offered an often-thought-provoking backdrop to the psychological tension of the film, though at the end it felt like the real takeaway comment simply: “people want money and beauty”. 

The tone shifts well as the film progresses, however, from the youthful, simple feel of the characters in Oxford, to the glamorous surroundings of Saltburn, to the tense and unsettling conclusion. The film’s pacing is deliberate, allowing the story to unravel with a sense of inevitability that mirrors Oliver’s spiralling obsession.

Conclusion

“Saltburn” was a gripping and visually stunning film that showcases Emerald Fennell’s prowess as a filmmaker. It was an intriguing exploration of human nature, wealth, and the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of even the most seemingly idyllic lives. If you love a psychological thriller, and a character-driven drama, you should give it a watch – but maybe not with your parents!