‘Saltburn’ Review – The Lifestyles Of The Rich, Famous And Secretive Ones [LFF 2023]

This piece was written during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Without the labor of the actors currently on strike, the movie being covered here wouldn’t exist.

Making your second feature is even more daunting than the first, as you must establish yourself as a filmmaker. After delivering the twisted and head-turning Promising Young Woman, writer/director Emerald Fennell returns with an equally dark and exuberant Saltburn. While Carey Mulligan also returns in a minor role, it’s Barry Keoghan (The Killing of a Sacred Deer) who steals the show in this extraordinary, peculiar movie about the lifestyle of the rich, famous and secretive ones.

Oliver Quick (Keoghan) has had a terrible life. His parents are drug-dealing addicts with mental health issues, and the fact that he’s from Prescot makes him a laughing stock for everyone who has more money than him. Going to Oxford University would have been the perfect escape if it weren’t for the same problems. Oliver’s still the shy kid who doesn’t belong there and has little cash to pay for a round of drinks. However, when he does his fellow student Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi) a favour, his life will change forever. Unlike Oliver, Felix has everything he can dream of: women throwing themselves at his feet, all the money in the world, a daring appearance, and a luxurious estate called ‘Saltburn’. Felix invites Oliver to ‘Saltburn’ as a ‘thank you’ for helping him.

However, what seems like a gracious offer the kid from a poorer background gladly accepts turns out to be the biggest mistake ever. The more Oliver comes in contact with the luxury and decadence of ‘Saltburn’ – including the highly dysfunctional family consisting of, amongst others, Sir James (Richard E. Grant), his wife Elspeth (Rosamund Pike) and the disturbed Venetia (Alison Oliver) – the more he craves it. He wants to become one of them. His transformation involves drinking much more, taking substances, looking suave every minute of every day, and doing dirty deeds. But what if this delusional fantasy completely takes over Oliver’s life?

There’s so much more we can say about the storyline, as Saltburn is a “lot of movie”, but we don’t want to spoil the darkest twist and turns. Some of those you might see coming, but many will take you by surprise. Each piece of new information adds a layer of secretiveness to this self-indulgent movie and makes you wonder what’s happening. Linus Sandgren’s (La La Land) immaculate cinematography and dim lighting add more secrets to this movie. Between all that darkness, there’s room for lavishing parties, more swearwords than in The Wolf of Wall Street, dynamic sex scenes, and dry humour (or is it just flat-out ignorance?). Fennell doesn’t hold back as a filmmaker as she wants to shock, whether with the story, language, or even the nods to the completely out-of-touch world of rich people and the aristocracy.

What shouldn’t shock you, though, is the incredible performance by Keoghan. In his previous works, such as Dunkirk or The Banshees of Inisherin, he cleverly and gracefully supported the actors with a stunning performance. Now he finally gets the chance to shine. And gosh, does he take that chance or what? He slowly, steadily lures you in as the loner from an outskirt village, and when you think you know Oliver from the inside out, both the character and the actor transform into something else. Something bigger, bolder and better. This metamorphosis allows Keoghan to show us his full display (no pun intended, honestly) and also drives a strong tonal shift in the middle that doesn’t feel out of place. Just like the acting, the twists are sharp but not so contradictory that it feels like you’re watching two separate movies.

Despite only making her first appearance mid-movie, Pike (The Wheel of Time) leaves a lasting impression. She brings out the narcissistic side of Elspeth perfectly in her own glamorous, gracious way, and every line becomes an instant quotable one. However, we do wonder whether Pulp’s Common People is really about Elspeth. Speaking of Britpop, the soundtrack of this movie is absolutely banging. From Time to Pretend by MGMT to No Cars Go by Arcade Fire and from Pioneers by Bloc Party to Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Murder on the Dancefloor (can hardly be more on the nose, right?).

Grant (The Lesson) is equally marvellous as Sir James, who’s clearly in denial about the real world and only wants the best for his wealthy family—no matter the consequences. While Elordi (Euphoria) certainly gives a strong performance as Felix with an impeccable British accent, he feels more like a supporting character because Keoghan, Pike, and Grant bring so much more personality, darkness, and priceless moments to the screen.

Saltburn takes full advantage of the delicately crafted characters, with each a purpose in this sinister story, the intimacy between them (both sexually and friendship-wise), and the deceit and manipulation happening when a lot of money is involved. And, of course, there’s also the tremendous all-around acting, multifaceted cinematography and absorbing soundtrack.

Saltburn opened the BFI London Film Festival 2023 on the 4th of October and will additionally be screened on the 5th and 8th of October. You can check last-minute availability here. The movie will debut in theaters in the US and UK on the 17th of November, courtesy of MGM.

Director: Emerald Fennell

Writer: Emerald Fennell

Rated: R

Runtime: 127m