Saltburn (2023)

Director (and writer): Emerald Fennell

Cast: Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, Archie Madekwe, Alison Oliver, Paul Rhys, Carey Mulligan

A student at Oxford University finds himself drawn into the world of a charming and aristocratic classmate, who invites him to his eccentric family’s sprawling estate for a summer never to be forgotten. – IMDB

Entering the dark comedy psychological thriller upper social class world that Emerald Fennell is at times odd but visually stunning one. Its follows around the character of a student Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan) from Oxford who tries to find him place in the elite university to be suddenly pulled into the world of Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi) after helping him out as he builds a friendship with him and get pitied by the rich boy who wants to offer him help in times of need into his family estate home Saltburn.

Stepping into the titular location of this film is where things truly start taking a turn for the odd and awkward moments and yet, this cast of character offers a stunning world that you can’t help but be a little offended by in the perceptive of Oliver as he overhears judgmental conversations behind his back but receives a welcoming and accepting attitude. The human element of the occupants add a class theme to the film. However, the location of Saltburn is also filmed in a wonderful way as it moves throughout the different areas of the house whether its the elegant interior design especially atmospheric at night with its dimmed lighting or the exterior with its hedge maze and swimming hole. Saltburn is a beautiful estate as it uses a location called Drayton House which is contracted to be a location and never be filmed in ever again, which is a neat little detail requested.

As things start to unravel and we learn more about Oliver Quick, much like any thriller, things start to fall apart into a twist. As odd and dark as these characters are, they are casted really well. Barry Keoghan does a great job and capturing the essence of Oliver who has a roller coaster of emotions and surprising reactions. In terms of nailing the dark comedy element, Rosamund Pike’s character as Felix’s mother Elspeth is truly the standout role here along with Felix’s father Sir Catton played by Richard E. Grant. Even the small cameo role of Carey Mulligan as Elspeth’s friend Pamela truly grasps that perfect balance of dark comedy. It does feel necessary to say that I’ve given The Kissing Booth trilogy a really hard time so Jacob Elordi’s portrayal of Felix is a very great surprise and it makes me look forward to him what other projects he will do after this film.

I’m a big fan of psychological thrillers and its incredibly challenging to find a right balance of decent pacing and dropping enough moments to set up for the twist to have that moment of impact. Emerald Fennell writes this script with a sufficient amount of twisted moments to make Oliver’s character a true mystery whether its a weird obsession over Felix or his weird encounters with his sister Venetia (Alison Oliver) and Farleigh (Archie Madekwe). In an objective view, there isn’t anything I can criticize about the film as whether its the well-used location or the atmospheric cinematography and visual style or even the surprises it offers in this thriller really hitting some unexpected moments. However, on a personal preference, this film isn’t one that I would go revisit as it hits those fairly uncomfortable to watch elements as it gets weirdly unexpected. Although I’m positive that those scenes are meant to have that reaction, its not exactly something I’d want to put myself to watch again. However, there is no doubt that Emerald Fennell is a director to keep an eye on and I’ll definitely be catching up with Promising Young Woman soon.