A student is invited to an eccentric classmate's estate for an exciting summer.
Director: Emerald Fennell
Cast: Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, Alison Oliver, Archie Madekwe
Release Date: November 17, 2023
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Thriller
Rated R for strong sexual content, graphic nudity, language throughout, some disturbing violent content, and drug use.
Runtime: 2h 7m
Emerald Fennell sophomore feature, Saltburn, is a deliberately paced puzzle box that reveals itself methodically as it attempts to shock and surprise with varying degrees of effect. Fennell does go for something far more visually striking and impactful here than her first film which gives the proceedings the kind of flair that's hard to ignore. The use of a 1.33:1 aspect ratio adds to the effect by giving the film a voyeuristic look and feel throughout. This fly on the wall approach gives everything a sinister undertone even as the script veers into dark comedy more times than not as the depravity unveils itself. Its easy to see similarities to The Talented Mr. Ripley in terms of story and setting but there's also the anarchist spirit of Roger Avery's twisted tale of entitlement from The Rules of Attraction. At the center of it all is a chameleon like performance from Barry Keoghan who runs the gamut of emotions and presence as the film goes along. Its fascinating turn that allows him to work through subtly before revealing bigger emotional shifts. Jacob Elordi is a solid counter to Keoghan's more nebulous persona. Elordi comes across as deceptively earnest and well meaning for the better part of the film's runtime. Strong supporting turns from Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, Alison Oliver and Archie Madekwe give the film the kind of depth that makes the film easier to enjoy even as it moves at a very specific pace. Pike and Grant in particular make the most of their limited screen time by delivering devilishly fun performances as the parents. There is plenty to unpack from the film's final act which takes a series of big swings with some working better than others. There's a solid sense in some of these latter sequences that Fennell is trying to shock the audience which is fine but there's a lesson to be learned about less being more. Issues aside, Saltburn is a solid follow up to Promising Young Women even if its not as refined or impactful as it should be.
B
