Courtesy of Sam Lloyd on Unsplash

Released this past November, Saltburn has created quite a controversy amongst its audience. Some may describe the film as jarring or even traumatizing due to its graphic scenes and twisted plot, while others may describe it as enjoyable or pleasing. The film takes place in the early 2000s and follows a young Oxford student, Oliver, who possesses a growing obsession with his fellow wealthy classmate, Felix. He is soon invited to spend the summer at Saltburn, Felix’s family estate. Not much is known about Oliver’s past, but details are uncovered as the story progresses. Upon arrival at the mansion, both the audience and Oliver are immersed in a life of wealth and luxury while being greeted by a nuanced and eccentric family. 

As the plot progresses, the audience absorbs more and more about each character and their odd quirks, which seems jarring towards the beginning of the film. However, the cinematic choices are made perfectly to progress the plot and add meaning to the visuals of each shot. For example, upon Oliver’s arrival to the mansion, the audience is purposely not shown the abundance of rooms Felix was showcasing. Instead, the camera only centers on and follows Felix throughout the tour, depicting the level of obsession Oliver holds for Felix. Color and music are used cohesively to create beautiful cinematography and immerse the audience into Oliver’s world, especially in the film’s party scene.  

The film’s director, Emerald Fennell, is best known for directing Promising Young Women, a bold thriller that surrounds themes of toxic masculinity and gender. She has also acted in shows such as The Crown and even the movie Barbie. In Saltburn, she casts some up-and-coming stars, such as Barry Keoghan, who plays Oliver Quick, and Jacob Elordi, who plays Felix Catton. These actors did a phenomenal job at embracing the quirks of each of their characters and holding nothing back from the audience. Specifically, Barry Keoghan improves some of the wilder scenes throughout the film, embracing the obsession Oliver has with Felix and giving the audience a performance that always keeps us on the edge of our seats. Some of these standout scenes include the bathtub scene and grave scene, in which the audience shares intimate moments with Oliver. 

As an outsider, Oliver is unaccustomed to Felix’s lifestyle, and his obsession with Felix and his family quickly grows. Spoiler alert: the film takes a dark turn as Oliver’s secrets are quickly uncovered and a series of deaths strike Felix’s family. This film includes several erratic and unexpected scenes, making it unsuitable for a family watch. However, all scenes are purposeful and add to the development of Oliver’s character. With its several dramatic plot twists and dark comedy, Saltburn keeps its audience on their toes. The film maintains a beautiful aesthetic and still has a dark, intriguing plot.