Saltburn - 💥💥💥

Director: Emerald Fennell 

Writer: Emerald Fennell 

Release Date: 17th November 2023 

Hot Rating: 💥💥💥

Synopsis: Saltburn follows Oxford student Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan) who befriends wealthy and popular Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi). Oliver spends a fateful summer at the Catton family's estate, along with Felix's parents (Rosamund Pike as Lady Elspeth Catton and Richard E. Grant as Sir James Catton) and sister (Alison Oliver as Venetia Catton), where he becomes embroiled in the family's personal affairs and secrets come to light. As Oliver gets closer to the family, a series of tragic events occur that impact the Cattons and Oliver, leading to dramatic confrontations.

Review: The jewel in Saltburn’s British crown is Barry Keoghan, who delivers an unsettling and committed performance as Oliver, adeptly toggling between vulnerable victim and cold manipulator. However, Keoghan’s strong central performance alone can't redeem Saltburn's lurid and improbable plot. While Fennell largely captures a stylish, gothic aesthetic, Saltburn ultimately devolves into schlocky melodrama. The script strains credulity, piling on increasingly outlandish twists in Oliver's quest to seize the Catton family's wealth. Still, Linus Sandgren’s striking cinematography captures the gothic creepiness of the Catton's estate, utilising voyeuristic angles and deep shadows. Saltburn is undoubtedly a lot of fun, yet its longevity in the gothic cannon collapses under the weight of its own absurdities. Indeed, in spite of its dark themes, Saltburn lacks any real insight into its themes, buckling under the weight of its outrageous plot. Fennell fans may enjoy its campy absurdities, but most will find this melodrama more silly than chilling.

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