‘Saltburn’ Movie Review – Is It Worth Watching?

Saltburn is a coming-of-age drama and tense thriller that journeys with Oliver, an Oxford University student drawn to a fellow classmate at the elite institution. There on a scholarship, the young man is timid and an outcast, pushed away from his peers’ privileged clique and made to feel less than. After a kind gesture, he’s welcomed into the inner circle and, after proving his loyalty, soon finds himself on a summer holiday at his wealthy friend’s luxury estate, transitioning from rags to riches. Reminiscent of films like The Skulls in the way it immerses audiences in the backroom politics and social hierarchy of the aristocracy, Saltburn speaks directly to the divide and discrimination of class and wealth.

Emerald Fennell, best known for Promising Young Woman, expertly swathes you in the fractious dynamics of an uber-wealthy family, rich to the point of hedonism. Their charitable acts seem like virtue signals as they simply consume their way through life, unbothered by the consequences. Seemingly untouchable, Oliver’s grounded and fresh spirit offers the family a new plaything, but as he begins to wield more power in this new equilibrium, things shift toward chaos. The production values are high, giving a real sense of existence within the walls of the massive Saltburn estate, whether the characters are basking by the poolside, lounging or indulging like royalty with a full complement of staff.

Barry Keoghan is fully committed to his role as Oliver, embracing the character with every thread of his being. A sickly sweet paradox, he commands the screen as the not-so-innocent Oliver in a transformative and quietly powerful performance. While the spotlight is on “Ollie” who’d much rather keep to the darkness, he’s supported by a solid ensemble anchored by Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike, Alison Oliver, Archie Madekwe and Richard E. Grant.

At first an unknown entity, Oliver quickly nuzzles into his adopted family, growing closer to his Adonis-like friend, Felix. While Felix acts as more of a muse and the supporting characters aren’t dwelt on for long, there’s still a strong sense of who’s who in the zoo. They may not be likable, but the underlying complexity and “eat the rich” sentiment make for a compelling viewing experience. Keoghan delivers a full-tilt performance, unassumingly charming at first, which makes the drama quite unconventional as you find yourself feeling empathy for someone whose motives become increasingly nefarious as he manipulates the estate like a chessboard.

“I’ll get the next round.”

Not for sensitive viewers, Saltburn takes its visceral quality to some unsettling and disturbing places. This quality does lead to some grotesque moments – even if mostly alluded to – but there’s a prickliness that carries through, making it difficult to relax. This vulgar appetite, together with its unpredictable airs, makes Saltburn somewhat distasteful yet wickedly beautiful and fractious.

Fennell’s bold, assured and uncompromising direction gives the film an artful temperament; the visuals move with a sense of poetry, and the exquisite compositions offer a sumptuous, surreal feast for the eyes. This dark, debauched and twisted fairy tale veers into adult themes, relishing the opportunity to be provocative while maintaining a bittersweet sense of humour and underlying warmth that counterbalances the cold-blooded actions.

It’s no secret, this is a challenging viewing experience marked by a devil-may-care attitude and an underlying sense of depravity, yet it’s difficult not to be impressed by the brave curation of its disparate elements. It’s a powerful and visually spectacular affair if you have the stomach for it. An evocative, slow-boiling and memorable thriller – it weaves fine performances, rich tone and gorgeous locations together beautifully in all its ugliness.

The bottom line: Provocative