Saltburn fever has hit us too

Image: Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shutterstock 

Spoilers ahead. 

As Saltburn hits the small screen it’s discovered legions of new fans. We ask: what is it about Emerald Fennell’s Comedy/Thriller that makes it so unforgettable? 

There are a million places to start. But Saltburn was undoubtedly a 127-minute ode to all thing’s noughties.  

From oversized rugby shirts to UGG boots or even Murder on the Dancefloor’s reaching virality again, 22 years after its initial release. Set in 2006, Saltburn strummed on the nostalgic notes we hold close to our hearts. Whilst simultaneously leaving us squirming and in a state of perpetual second-hand embarrassment.  

The all-round performance from its cast and production team alike has led to the psychological thriller picking up five BAFTA nominations – with Barry Keoghan nominated for best actor and Jacob Elordi and Rosamund Pike up for best supporting actors. 

With shades of The Talented Mr Ripley, Fennell first introduces the audience to outsider and Oxford University scholarship student Oliver Quick who at first, we feel sympathetic towards. But that quickly changes… 

Jacob Elordi’s Felix Catton is portrayed to be the personification of aristocratic perfection. Charming, magnetic, and handsome so Quick becomes interested in him. In a very strange and obsessive way. 

Catton (maybe not in best interest) takes Quick under his wing and brings him to his family’s enchanting estate for a summer to die for.  

Then things really get weird and absolutely no details were spared. Keoghan’s Quick seems to continuously one-up himself in how far he can go, whether its drinking Catton’s bath water or doing the unthinkable in a graveyard. It seemed like Fennell was doing her upmost best to traumatise the audience. 

Rosamund Pike (Elsbeth) and Richard E. Grant (Sir James) brought an element of comedy to the film, which helped give the audience some sort of respite from the many grotesque scenes. 

Filmmaking student, Eben Goode said: “Honestly, I would love my graduate film to have the same sort of look as Saltburn. I think it was shot well.” 

In terms of cinematography, Linus Sandgren (La La Land) more than showcased his Oscar-winning credentials with the films vivid style. 

Sangren explained in an interview with The Wrap: “Baroque art is oftentimes depicting nasty things with beautiful light. So that felt like the soul of our film.”  

One thing which cannot be disputed is that Saltburn will probably end up as one of the most polarising films of the year and we love it.