“Saltburn” (2023)

Drama

Running Time: 131 minutes

Written and directed by: Emerald Fennell

Featuring: Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, Alison Oliver, Archie Madekwe and Carey Mulligan

Oliver Quick: “I loved him, but was I in love with him?”

In the realm of psychological thrillers, Emerald Fennell’s “Saltburn” stands out as a captivating and unsettling cinematic experience, delving into the depths of human desire, class divides, and the dark underbelly of privilege. Released in 2023, the film has garnered critical acclaim for its masterful execution of suspense, its exploration of complex themes, and its stellar performances.

The narrative follows Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan), a working-class scholarship student at Oxford University, who finds himself entangled in the opulent world of the wealthy and eccentric Saltburn family. Invited to spend the summer at their grand estate, Oliver becomes captivated by the allure of wealth and the enigmatic beauty of Pamela Saltburn (Carey Mulligan). However, as he delves deeper into their lives, he uncovers a web of secrets, betrayals, and disturbing desires that threaten to consume him.

Fennell masterfully creates an atmosphere of suspense and unease, slowly tightening the screws of tension as Oliver’s fascination with the Saltburns transforms into a dangerous obsession. The film’s opulent setting, juxtaposed with Oliver’s outsider status, serves to highlight the stark contrast between his humble upbringing and the excesses of the privileged class. This contrast is further accentuated by the Saltburns’ eccentric behavior and their penchant for shocking revelations, creating a sense of perpetual unease and anticipation.

Keoghan delivers a captivating performance as Oliver, portraying his character’s transformation from an ambitious outsider to a man consumed by desire and desperation. His nuanced portrayal captures Oliver’s vulnerability, his ambition, and his descent into darkness with a chilling authenticity. Mulligan, as the enigmatic Pamela Saltburn, exudes an aura of mystery and allure, her veiled intentions adding to the film’s suspenseful atmosphere. Her performance is both captivating and unsettling, leaving the audience guessing her true motivations until the very end.

Fennell’s directorial vision is both visually stunning and thematically rich. The film’s cinematography, with its sweeping shots of the Saltburn estate and its intimate close-ups, captures the beauty and decay of the setting, mirroring the duality of the characters and the narrative. The film’s score, a blend of haunting melodies and ominous undertones, further enhances the atmosphere of suspense and unease.

“Saltburn” is not merely a psychological thriller; it is a profound exploration of the human condition, delving into the dark corners of desire, the corrosive nature of ambition, and the devastating consequences of class divisions. The film challenges its audience to confront their own perceptions of privilege, wealth, and the pursuit of happiness, leaving a lasting impression long after the credits roll.

Beyond its captivating narrative and suspenseful atmosphere, “Saltburn” delves into complex themes that resonate deeply with the audience. The film’s exploration of class divides and the toxic allure of wealth is particularly poignant, highlighting the destructive consequences of social inequality and the insatiable pursuit of material gain.

Oliver’s journey from a working-class background to the opulent world of the Saltburns serves as a stark reminder of the stark contrasts between the privileged and the underprivileged. His initial fascination with their wealth and status gradually transforms into a dangerous obsession, as he becomes consumed by the desire to belong to their world. This obsession, fuelled by a sense of inferiority and a yearning for acceptance, ultimately leads to his downfall.

The film’s exploration of desire and its destructive potential is equally compelling. Pamela Saltburn, with her enigmatic beauty and seductive charm, embodies the allure of unattainable desires. Oliver’s infatuation with her blinds him to the darkness that lies beneath her façade, leading him down a path of self-destruction.

Fennell’s masterful portrayal of these complex themes is further enhanced by the stellar performances of the film’s cast. Keoghan’s portrayal of Oliver’s transformation from an ambitious outsider to a man consumed by desire and desperation is both captivating and unsettling. Mulligan’s performance as Pamela Saltburn is equally compelling, her veiled intentions and enigmatic aura adding to the film’s suspenseful atmosphere.

In addition to its thematic depth and captivating performances, “Saltburn” also boasts stunning visuals and a haunting score. The film’s cinematography captures the beauty and decay of the Saltburn estate, juxtaposing its grandeur with the darkness that lurks beneath the surface. The score, a blend of haunting melodies and ominous undertones, further enhances the atmosphere of suspense and unease.

“Saltburn” is not merely a psychological thriller; it is a profound exploration of the human condition. The film delves into the dark corners of desire, the corrosive nature of ambition, and the devastating consequences of class divisions. It challenges its audience to confront their own perceptions of privilege, wealth, and the pursuit of happiness, leaving a lasting impression long after the credits roll.

“Saltburn” is a film that lingers long after the credits roll, its haunting images and unsettling atmosphere etched into the viewer’s memory. It is a film that defies easy categorization, blending elements of psychological thriller, social commentary, and coming-of-age drama into a captivating and disturbing cinematic experience.

At its core, “Saltburn” is a story about desire – the insatiable longing for something that lies just beyond our grasp. This desire takes many forms in the film, from Oliver’s yearning for acceptance and belonging to Pamela’s quest for power and control. But it is ultimately the destructive power of desire that drives the narrative forward, Oliver’s character is particularly compelling in this regard. His journey from an ambitious outsider to a man consumed by desire is both tragic and cautionary. Initially drawn to the Saltburns’ wealth and status, he gradually becomes obsessed with their world, willing to sacrifice anything to gain their acceptance. This obsession blinds him to the darkness that lurks beneath the surface of their opulent lifestyle, leading him down a path of self-destruction.

Pamela Saltburn is another complex and fascinating character, a woman whose motivations are as enigmatic as her beauty. She is both alluring and dangerous, her charm masking a deep-seated need for control. Her relationship with Oliver is a twisted game of power and manipulation, as she exploits his desires for her own ends.

The film’s exploration of class divides is equally compelling. The Saltburns represent the epitome of privilege, their wealth and status providing them with a sense of entitlement and detachment from the realities of the world around them. Oliver, on the other hand, is an outsider, his working-class background making him acutely aware of his own limitations. This contrast is further highlighted by the film’s setting, the grandeur of the Saltburn estate juxtaposed with the stark reality of Oliver’s modest upbringing.

The film’s visual style is both stunning and unsettling. The cinematography captures the beauty and decay of the Saltburn estate, its opulence masking a dark underbelly of secrets and betrayal. The use of lighting and shadow is particularly effective, creating an atmosphere of suspense and unease. The score, a blend of haunting melodies and ominous undertones, further enhances the film’s unsettling atmosphere.

“Saltburn” is a masterful work of psychological suspense, elevated by its captivating performances, stunning visuals, and thought-provoking themes. Emerald Fennell’s directorial vision is both unsettling and captivating, immersing the audience in a world of secrets, betrayals, and the allure of unattainable desires. The film leaves a lasting impression, challenging its audience to question the nature of privilege, ambition, and the true meaning of happiness.