The director of the searing Promising Young Woman, Emerald Fennell, brings us a queer, class-conscious, controversial satire on wealth, privilege and desire. Plus some blistering on-screen sex.
How to watch Saltburn in the UK
Saltburn is in UK cinemas now.
What is Saltburn about?
Kicking off at Oxford University circa 2007, Saltburn sees Barry Keoghan’s bookish, socially awkward Oliver fall into the orbit and under the spell of the wealthy, seductive, and possibly predatory Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi). When Felix invites Oli to his eccentric (and obscenely rich) family’s sprawling estate, the titular Saltburn, for the holidays, things start to really get interesting, as we encounter the rarefied, old money Catton clan and their circle of supremely privileged, decadent dandies. But who’s leading on who? There are shades of both The Great Gatsby and The Talented Mr Ripley to be found here, which should clue you into Saltburn‘s particular narrative flavour.
The cast of Saltburn
In addition to Keoghan and Elordi, we’re getting a cracking ensemble that includes Richard E. Grant, riding high on a deserved career resurgence right now, as Felix’s father, Sir James Catton; Rosamund Pike as Elsbeth, Lady Catton, Felix’s mother; Alison Oliver as Venetia Catton, his sister; plus Archie Madekwe, Carey Mulligan, Paul Rhys, Ewan Mitchell, Lolly Adefope, Sadie Soverall, Millie Kent, and Reece Shearsmith in support.
Saltburn trailer
What are the critics saying about Saltburn?
Oh, they are loving it, with some reticence reserved for the film’s audacity and overt, confrontational sexuality showing in some corners. Our own Cat Woods says that it “…verges on horror, but the most sexy, dramatic, sometimes hilariously funny twist on the genre.” It’s not quite getting the universal acclaim that attended Promising Young Woman, but the consensus is that Fennell’s authorial voice is in fine form once more, exploring notions of desire, power, privilege, and obsession with sharp clarity and pitch-black humour.
