‘Saltburn’ Film Review
This is a Stygian fairytale of envy and want that is at times entertaining and exciting and at times confounding. Fennell isn’t afraid to push the boundaries of the topic she’s addressing, often illuminating man’s dark underbelly.
Oscar winning filmmaker Emerald Fennell's (Promising Young Woman) latest film, Saltburn, is a decadent fever dream of lust, betrayal, and revenge. It has a similar theme to The Menu and Triangle of Sadness - "Eat the Rich." It also has shades of The Talented Mr. Ripley, except Barry Keoghan's Oliver Quick doesn't have a singular obsession like Matt Damon's Tom Ripley. Oliver wants tout le repas.
The story is set during the mid-2000s in the U.K. Awkward Oliver is trying to find his footing at the prestigious Oxford University when he encounters captivating Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi). Everyone is drawn to Felix like moths to a flame and Oliver is no exception. Once he gets an invite to Saltbun, Felix’s family’s grand estate, he feels like he’s joined Felix’s coveted inner circle. Once there, he discovers he’s in the middle of a hotbed of eccentricity. There’s outcast Farleigh (Archie Madekwe), Venetia (Alison Oliver), Pamela (Carey Mulligan), Sir James Catton (Richard E. Grant), and Elspeth Catton (Rosamund Catton). Sometimes whacky, sometimes sinister, this mixed bag of emotionally catatonic elites are difficult for Oliver to digest. However, his attraction to and desire for Felix outweighs his apprehensive feelings about the family, leading to a shocking, dark ending.
‘The Creator’ Film Review
Much like with Promising Young Woman, Fennell isn’t afraid to push the boundaries of the topic she’s addressing, often illuminating man’s dark underbelly. In this case, class warfare is addressed, and all the trappings of being in the out-of-touch 1%. The Cattons are a microcosm of the super-wealthy and despite all of their luxury and decadence, they are portrayed as zombies sleepwalking through life, imprisoned by their own hubris and self-importance. Barry Keoghan embraces his role as the hanger-on Oliver. He seamlessly mixes a childlike wonder with menace. The whole cast is stellar but Rosamund Pike is a standout as the ghoulishly patrician head of the oddball Cattons and Jacob Elordi has a soft charisma as Felix.
The film is a dark comedy and a thriller. Just when you think you’ve figured out what’s going on, it takes you in another direction, an elliptical puzzle of desire and rage. At times, the more shocking aspects of the film feel forced instead of a natural extension of the character or situation. However, the ending’s seeming nod to American Psycho’s Patrick Bateman perfectly encapsulates our outlier character’s disturbing psyche.
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Cinematographer Linus Sandgren creates a world of muted bright colors - a Skittle-esque landscape subdued by its encompassing chaparral and imposing castle. The inhabitants of Saltburn are as droll and dimmed as its surroundings. Anthony Willis’s lugubrious score underscores the vibrant pinings of each character.
Overall, this is a Stygian fairytale of envy and want that is at times entertaining and exciting and at times confounding. The ending isn’t totally satisfying but the journey to get there is a capricious ride. The film missteps when it tries to say too much and pushes the envelope ‘just because.’
Saltburn, an MGM release, hits theaters in limited release on November 17, 2023 and opens nationwide on November 22, 2023.
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Sonya Alexander started off her career training to be a talent agent. She eventually realized she was meant to be on the creative end and has been writing ever since. As a freelance writer she’s written screenplays, covered film, television, music and video games and done academic writing. She’s also been a script reader for over twenty years. She's a member of the African American Film Critics Association and currently resides in Los Angeles.
