Emerald Fennell’s sophomore feature, ‘Saltburn (2023)’ is a wild tale of obsession. Starring Barry Keoghan in the lead role, it tells a story quite similar to “The Talented Mr Ripley.” Keoghan plays a scholarship student who befriends a wealthy schoolmate and slowly gets sucked into the friend’s mesmerizing, lavish lifestyle. Besides Keoghan, it stars Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike, Alison Oliver, Richard E. Grant, Archie Madekwe, and Ewan Mitchell in supporting roles. Fennell’s collaborator in the previous film, Carey Mulligan, also has a hilarious cameo in this film. While exploring some dark themes, this thriller has plenty of moments of silly, uproarious fun. It is now available to watch on Prime Video.
Spoilers ahead.
Saltburn (2023) Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis:
What is Barry Keoghan starrer ‘Saltburn’ about?
“Saltburn,” written & directed by Emerald Fennell, chronicles a tale of obsession and deceit through Barry Keoghan’s character. The script has anti-capitalist undertones that try to question the status quo in a strange, whimsical manner. On the surface level, it revolves around a young man from a middle-class background who decides to spend his vacation with his uber-rich friend in his lavish mansion. But it slowly starts turning into a wicked, provocative tale of obsessive love.
“Saltburn” begins by showing Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan), a bespectacled Scholarship student, entering his prestigious university. Due to his bland appearance and demeanor, he is not the center of attention. But someone else grabs his and everyone’s attention. Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi) is a popular student in this school, with all the riches one could ask for. Plus, he is always surrounded by students. So, Oliver can’t stop himself from admiring this towering personality. Unlike Felix, Oliver has to make peace with the company of Michael Gavey (Ewan Mitchell), who is geekily obsessed with knowledge.
How does Oliver infiltrate Felix’s inner circle?
Oliver joins Farleigh (Archie Madekwe), a close relative of Felix, to read and discuss their English essays. Farleigh makes fun of Oliver’s repetitive use of ‘thus’ in his work. “Who speaks like that in real life?” he mockingly asks. He tries to put down Oliver and make him feel embarrassed about himself. However, Oliver does not let it affect him. Later, on his way somewhere, Oliver notices Felix on the side of a road. Felix could not head for his lecture because of his punctured bicycle tire. Oliver offers Felix his bicycle and also agrees to walk with Felix’s bicycle. Until then, Felix had not even noticed him. He also did not know that Oliver was in the same school. So, that’s the first time they speak with each other.
Sometime later, Oliver goes to a bar with Michael. When Michael goes away to order drinks, Felix notices Oliver and invites him to join their table. Although embarrassed about his appearance, he accepts the invitation. Farleigh does not like Oliver’s inclusion in their esteemed club. So, he tries to humiliate Oliver. Out of peer pressure, Oliver decides to order drinks for everyone. Felix senses that Oliver is short of money. So, he lends some without letting it seem like charity. Oliver loves that he is rising the ladder, even if it is at the expense of excluding studious Michael.
Why does Felix invite Oliver to stay at Saltburn?
After their interaction in the bar, Felix and Oliver start getting increasingly closer. Because of this friendship, Oliver trusts Felix with his secrets. Oliver talks about his harsh reality – about his father’s untimely death and a troubled home waiting for him, during their vacation. Felix feels pity for his friend and thinks he can forget his worries in a different environment. So, he invites Oliver to stay at his lavish mansion – Saltburn. Oliver hesitates at first but eventually agrees. Farleigh still does not like Oliver and finds every chance to make him feel less fortunate. Since Farleigh expects to stay connected with the Cattons, he sees Oliver as a threat to his position.
Finally, Oliver arrives at Saltburn and starts feeling so little about himself from the get-go. Cattons’ chaperone, Duncan (Paul Rhys), intimidates him while walking him to his room. Felix soon takes charge of the situation and makes Oliver feel calm. But it hardly helps when the grand interiors overwhelm him. Oliver’s awkwardness is reflected in his mannerisms and behavior, besides his dressing style. The Cattons make him feel even more outcasted. Elsbeth (Rosamund Pike) and her friend Pamela (Carey Mulligan) look at Oliver as an object of fascination. Felix’s sister, Vanetia (Alison Oliver), laughs at Oliver’s awkwardness and his lack of knowledge about their etiquette. Sir James (Richard E. Grant) just tolerates him as their guest.
How does Oliver manage to fit in Saltburn?
Even though the Cattons do not welcome him with open arms, Oliver makes every attempt not to let his embarrassment be known. After a period of discomfort one night, he suddenly approaches Vanetia for a kiss. One thing leads to another, and they end up having sex in the dark. Farleigh notices it from his window and tells Felix about it the next day. Felix questions Oliver, who questions the credibility of Farleigh’s claims. After this first ‘kill’ of sorts, Oliver slowly tries to lure others under his spell. He also makes Elsbeth feel desired.
What does Felix learn on Oliver’s birthday?
On Oliver’s birthday, Felix decides to surprise him. He brings Oliver in his car for a visit to his parents’ house. Felix says he wants Oliver to work on his relationship with his family. Oliver tries his best to make Felix stop the car. But Felix refuses to return without ‘making things right’ for Oliver. Eventually, they reach Oliver’s home. That’s when Felix realizes that Oliver lied about his family. His parents seem warm, friendly, and supportive. While Oliver said he is the only child, he has two sisters. Felix makes Oliver stay longer and once they return to Saltburn, tells him to leave the very next morning.
During the birthday party at night, Oliver cannot find Felix. So, he roams around looking for him. Eventually, he walks upon Felix having sex with a girl. Oliver interrupts it and tries to have a conversation. The next day, everyone at Saltburn wakes up to find Felix dead. Then, a series of upsetting things start to happen in Saltburn. Sir James dismisses Farleigh from any further connection to their family. Venetia dies in a bathtub, in a pool of blood, just hours after her dialogue with Oliver. These deaths take an emotional toll on Elsbeth. So, Oliver provides her with the comfort she needs. Sir James resents that. So, to make him go away, he agrees to pay Oliver whatever amount he desires.
Saltburn (2023) Movie Ending Explained:
When and how does Oliver return to Saltburn?
Years after his time at Saltburn, Oliver bumps into Elsbeth. She reveals that she has left Saltburn and has started living in an apartment. Since Sir James made Oliver leave in the past, Elsbeth offers him a chance to return. Oliver accepts it while pretending it is a favor to her. However, this was his plan all along. Since the time he laid eyes on Felix, he wanted to be like him or be him. He wanted the allure, prestige, and comfort that came along with the enormous wealth. That is why he strategically planned his way into Saltburn.
Oliver began his process by making holes in Felix’s bicycle tire. He then pretended to not have enough money in the bar. He lied about his parents and made Felix pity him. Later, he took Felix’s life and then left Vanetia with a device to end hers. Even years later, he planned to be in the café to bump into Elsbeth. He pretended to write something important just to make himself seem engrossed in work. Then, when the opportunity came, he took it and re-entered Saltburn.
Why does Oliver dance naked at the end of Saltburn?
At the end of ‘Saltburn,’ we see Oliver dance across the halls of Saltburn without any clothes. He dances like he has no care in the world – because he doesn’t. The ending can be interpreted in different ways. But the carefree, naked dance reflects a sense of victory. Before, he was in control of someone else even while making the slightest move in this mansion. Duncan made him feel worthless for even looking at things or admiring them. Touching was a different topic altogether. Although the ending doesn’t provide a deep meaning, the ending works in this context because of the gradual emotional build-up throughout the film.
Saltburn (2023) Movie Themes Analysed
Social Hierarchy
The most notable theme from “Saltburn” is social hierarchy. Like many ‘Eat the Rich’ themed films, it tries to portray the inequalities present in the socio-economic structure. Although it has no deep insight to offer, it shows Oliver’s journey of rising the ladder while making a poignant statement about the hard work-based belief. No amount of hard work or intelligence could have gotten Oliver out of his middle-class stature and achieved his strategic plan to steal Felix’s identity. In fact, he has meticulously preyed upon the weaknesses of Cattons and reached the top. This might be a cynical perspective, but it does not feel far from reality.
Excess & Obsession
As Emerald Fennell said in an interview, “Saltburn:” is about ‘obsessive love’ and the lengths to which Oliver goes to achieve his love. He keeps asking himself whether he is in love with Felix or just loves Felix – which seems like his way of justifying his extreme actions. While his actions seem excessive, the wealth on display in Saltburn is also anything but moderate. So, through Oliver’s eyes, the film presents the naked reality of the wealthy and their lust for excess.
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