Saltburn (2023)

Emerald Fennell returns to the director’s chair after 2020’s ‘Promising Young Woman’ with ‘Saltburn’ a tense, provocative thriller that follows an Oxford University student as he becomes tangled in a web of obsession and greed over one fateful summer. Fennell brings together an impressive cast that includes the likes of Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike and Richard E. Grant. 

After starting at Oxford University, student Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan) finds himself feeling lonely and out of place. But when he meets his classmate Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi) after an unfortunate flat tire, Oliver soon finds his place at the prestigious university. When Oliver comes clean about his homelife struggles, Felix invites him to spend the summer at his family’s luxurious estate in the middle of the British countryside. What happens over the course of the summer will change the lives of everyone involved forever. 

BAFTA-winner Barry Keoghan delivers an outstanding performance in the leading role with his portrayal of Oliver running the gamut of emotions, from the nerves and anxiety of starting university to the dark depths of obsession and greed. Keoghan’s work in ‘Saltburn’ echoes his performance in Yorgos Lanthimos’ ‘The Killing of a Sacred Deer’, and allows the actor to showcase his ability to bring deeply unnerving and malicious characters to life with startling ease. ‘Euphoria’ star Jacob Elordi delivers a superb performance opposite Keoghan, portraying Felix with just the right amount of charm and snobbery without making him a majorly dislikeable character. The role of Felix allows the Australian actor to prove himself as one of this generation’s most promising actors alongside Keoghan, while also showing off his impressive English accent. Richard E. Grant, Alison Oliver, Rosamund Pike, and Archie Madekwe all give strong supporting performances, with Pike giving one of the film’s best performances as Lady Elspeth, Felix’s mother. She delivers a scene-stealing turn as the amusing aristocrat who’s ability to create random conversation serves as both brilliant comedic relief and a way to provide an unnerving sense of normality.

Emerald Fennell asserts herself as one of the most exciting directors working today, with an impressive ability to not only come up with these unique and entertaining narratives, but to also execute them and translate them onto the big screen with incredible success. With one Oscar already under her belt for her directorial debut ‘Promising Young Woman’, ‘Saltburn’ may just land her in the awards race again. While it feels worthy of any accolades that may come its way, Fennell’s work in the director’s chair leaves you eagerly anticipating her next film which hasn’t been announced as of yet. Linus Sandgren, known for his work with directors like Damien Chazelle and David O’Russell, provides ‘Saltburn’ with saturated visuals that beautifully frame the detailed architecture of the locations in the film like Oxford University and Drayton Manor. His work is elevated by the film’s unique 1.33:1 aspect ratio that, as Fennell suggested, gives the feeling that the audience is peeping in on this extravagant family and their colourful lives. 

The entire cast and crew do a spectacular job bringing ‘Saltburn’ to life. From the stunning performances to the delicious visuals and intricate set design, the film is filled with thrilling twists, provocative imagery, and pure chaos that could’ve easily resulted in it being one big self-indulgent mess. But what Fennell delivers to audiences is an entertaining film that is part savage satirical comedy and part dark erotic thriller. Fennell’s sophomore feature is a stimulating two-hour affair that takes audiences on a gothic journey of debauchery, obsession and desire steeped in affluence and beauty.