Published 11/24/23.
There’s one thing that drives me nuts: movies playing it too safe. I love it when a film comes along and is ready to stir the pot a bit. A movie that’s ready (to quote Bruce Wayne) “get nuts”. In her directorial debut, Promising Young Woman, Emerald Fennell showed courage, flair, and a willingness to swing for the fences. Would she continue this with her next film Saltburn? Or will she go “Hollywood”? Read on, kids. Read on.
Saltburn follows Oliver (Barry Keoghan) a young man beginning his first year at Oxford. Initially, he struggles to find his footing in the overly class-conscious school. However, he soon forms a friendship with Felix (Jacob Elordi). Not only is Felix rich, but he’s exceedingly good-looking. Suddenly, Oliver is running with a whole new crowd. They’re young, they’re hot and they have titles. Things reach a new level of crazy when Felix invites Oliver to spend the summer at his massive estate. Kids, anything beyond that reaches spoiler territory. Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, Carey Mulligan, Archie Madekwe, and Sadie Soverall co-star in Saltburn. Emerald Fennell directs the film from her own script.
As mentioned, Saltburn is Fennell’s follow-up to her 2020 directorial debut, Promising Young Woman. For those who have seen the colorful thriller, it’s hard to believe that Fennell could possibly up the craziness in her sophomore effort which is best described as Cruel Intentions meets The Talented Mr. Ripley. She dials the volume all the way up this time around. This is the darkest of black comedies.
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Saltburn is a colorful dark thriller made all the more striking thanks to Fennell’s confidence behind the camera. As a writer and director, she is fully in control here. This film has no qualms about leaning into challenging characters. No one here is truly likable, despite how much they might think they are. Fennell leaves any concrete sense of “good and bad” behind and instead blurs traditionally accepted narrative lines beyond any comprehension.
The result is uncomfortable, but utterly fascinating as long you can buy into the movie’s mood. In fact, Saltburn stands as one of my favorite theatrical viewing experiences in 2023. The film is sadistic. It revels in quiet and uncomfortable moments of weirdness and watching this movie in a packed house was an entertaining experience on its own.
Meanwhile, Fennell brings together a cast who have bought into her vision fully and completely. They have no qualms about swinging for some wacky, weird, and decidedly uncomfortable fences. Leading the effort is Barry Keoghan. The performer, who himself is following up a critically acclaimed role in The Banshees of Inisherin, cuts a formidable presence as Oliver. In fact, his cleverly unhinged portrayal makes a strong argument for his involvement in awards season again this year. Keoghan is dialed in fully to Fennell’s vision and the result is truly captivating.
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Keoghan, however, is just one piece of a smartly cast ensemble. Rosamund Pike and Richard E. Grant are scene-stealingly good as Felix’s out-of-touch parents Sir James and Elspeth Catton. Their performances stand at the center of this story which is, at its roots, a searing lampoon of class relations in the United Kingdom. Together, they carry a number of the film’s lighter moments. However, these performers, and really this movie, know exactly who these people are. They are part of the problem.
At the center of the film is an effortless performance from Jacob Elordi who is currently enjoying a heck of a 2023. As a character, Felix isn’t showy. At the same time though, the narrative stands completely on his shoulders. In fact, in the hands of another actor, Felix could easily become a thankless role. To combat this though, Elordi brings an easy complexity. Felix is a bit fickle and he’s more than occasionally spoiled. At the same time though, he’s genuinely fond of Oliver. Elordi’s is a quiet performance grounding this flashy film in reality.
I am pulling no punches when I admit that Saltburn is one of my favorite movies of 2023. Emerald Fennell’s newest film is brave. It’s uncomfortable and it’s ready to make you revel in the weirdness. From this strange, gutsy script to incredibly memorable performances from Barry Keoghan and Rosamund Pike, this is one to add to your lists. Just be ready.
Saltburn is now playing in theaters around the country.
Check out our other movie reviews, here.
https://www.geekgirlauthority.com/may-december-movie-review-julianne-moore-natalie-portman-todd-haynes/
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