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Film Review: Saltburn

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silver disco ball on sparkly starry backdrop

Lara Inglis-Jones

Enter the era of Saltburn (2024) mania – an era in which Jacob Elordi has emerged as the hottest sensation of the year and Saltburn-themed parties are on trend. This has all followed the release of the film in cinemas in August last year and streaming platforms on 24th December.

Creativity surged as people translated eccentric scenes into Saltburn-themed candles and shot flavors. Strikingly, a peculiar TikTok trend emerged, with individuals dashing around their lavish abodes to the beat of ‘Murder on the Dance Floor’, replicating the final scene of the film.

Saltburn sparked a wave of mixed reviews. Following Emerald Fennell’s Oscar-nominated Promising Young Woman (2020), Saltburn was a disappointment to some. Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian dismissed it as “hot Brideshead soup needing more seasoning,” while The Hollywood Reporter deemed it a “stylish but ultimately silly patchwork of borrowed ideas.”

However, the narrative shifted after it transitioned from the cinema to Amazon Prime Video.

“A World Of Beauty and A Realm Of Sin”

The film revolves around Oliver Quick, portrayed by Barry Keoghan, as he navigates his first year at Oxford University. Struggling to assimilate due to his disparate class background, Oliver initially befriends the college oddball, skillfully played by actor Ewan Mitchell. The narrative takes a twist when Oliver encounters Felix, a strikingly handsome and affluent free spirit, who extends an invitation to his country house for the summer.

“Saltburn captures a distinct aesthetic and vibe”

At first glance, Saltburn echoes the themes of Evelyn Waugh’s Brideshead Revisited (1945), depicting an outsider cared for by a wealthy peer in a memorable summer. However, the film diverges from this trajectory, incorporating shades of The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) as Oliver’s story unravels, revealing a different persona than initially perceived.

In contrast to The Talented Mr. Ripley and Brideshead Revisited, Saltburn captures a distinct aesthetic and vibe. Although the film occasionally veers into the realm of a Moët advertisement, featuring cast members elegantly traversing the house, imbibing champagne, and engaging in drunken tennis donned in black tie, Linus Sandgren’s cinematography remains a captivating force. He skilfully captures the audience with breathtaking visuals, simultaneously presenting scenes that exude a provocatively sensual yet grotesque quality.

Saltburn immerses viewers not only in a world of beauty but also in a realm of sin, where boundaries dissolve and anything is fair game.

Bolstering Cast

The cast’s striking presence significantly enhances the film. Elordi doesn’t just dazzle viewers with his appearance; he adeptly embodies the essence of a posh boarding school Oxford student. Alison Oliver excels in her role as Venetia, portraying a captivating allure on screen.

“Keoghan is particularly magnetic and enigmatic”

The ensemble’s standout performances play a crucial role in bolstering the film’s allure. Rosamund Pike, portraying Felix’s mother, effortlessly channels the perfect superficiality and snobbery prevalent among women in upper-class circles, delivering both a powerful performance and humorous one-liners.

Carey Mulligan, in her role as Pamela, adds a touch of comedy as the damaged friend, delivering punchlines with flair.

Keoghan is particularly magnetic and enigmatic. He draws viewers into his warped and disturbing world and leaves them torn between siding with him or going against him.

The Concluding Twist Disappoints

The concluding twist in Saltburn disappoints, feeling hastily executed as Fennell attempts to unleash a flurry of bombshells in the movie’s final 20 minutes. Additionally, the hinted-at class divide between Oliver and the rest of the family is merely touched upon and seems glossed over, despite frequent allusions throughout the film.

Nevertheless, if one can look beyond these criticisms, Saltburn proves itself an enjoyable film, radiating an almost fantastical ambiance in both its aesthetics and the performances of its actors. The surge of Saltburn mania can be attributed to the desire and beauty depicted in the film. Saltburn succeeds by immersing viewers in a world of beautiful things, tapping into society’s fixation on wealth, sex, and beauty and projecting it on screen.

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Featured image courtesy of NEOSiAM 2024+ via Pexels. No changes were made to this image. Image license found here.

I am a 22 year old MA student studying Security Studies at UCL. I love writing stories and film reviews in my spare time.

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