Saltburn is a sumptuously crafted story of privilege, obsession, and moral ambiguity that transports audiences to an idyllic yet deeply flawed world. This psychological drama by writer-director Emerald Fennell—the long-awaited follow-up to Promising Young Woman—explores class inequality, unchecked desires, and social façades; the masks people wear to climb the social ladder, both figuratively and literally.
In this article, we’ll explore what is saltburn about, its key themes, cast, critical reception, and where Australians can watch it.
What is Saltburn about?
Set in the mid-2000s, Saltburn follows Oliver Quick (played by Barry Keoghan), a socially awkward yet highly intelligent Oxford University student from a modest background. Struggling to fit in with his affluent peers, Oliver finds himself drawn to the enigmatic and wildly charismatic Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi), who belongs to a privileged aristocratic family.
When Felix invites Oliver to spend the summer at his family’s sprawling estate, Saltburn, Oliver becomes immersed in a world of excess, indulgence, and deep-seated dysfunction. As the summer progresses, Oliver’s fascination with Felix and his luxurious lifestyle turns into something far more sinister, revealing unsettling truths about both himself and the people around him.
With its gothic undertones and psychological complexity, Saltburn takes viewers on a dark journey filled with intrigue, manipulation, and shocking revelations.
The setting: Saltburn estate as a symbol
The titular Saltburn estate is both a physical place (in the English countryside) and a metaphor for excess, privilege and isolation. Its labyrinthine halls, pristine gardens and haunting architecture reveal the riches and prestige of Felix’s family while a sense of eerie malaise suggests moral rot posturing at the door.
Saltburn is heaven and prison, a backdrop in which character can finally flourish, but also be held to ransom by the heavy weight of their own secret sins. The estate offers Oliver the siren song of belonging and success but at the price of his own self. The grandeur of the house is heady, but its coldness mirrors the emotional remoteness of its inhabitants. Saltburn, directed by Emerald Fennell, explores a myriad of themes that are intensely relevant in our modern world.
Themes explored in Saltburn
1. Class and privilege
The main conflict of the film lies in how the life of Oliver differs drastically from that of the Cartoons’ huge prosperity. How privilege creates invisible walls, making true equality and integration impossible. Felix and his family cruise through life effortlessly and with entitlement, while Oliver has had to work so hard for their approval, often at a huge personal cost. But the film doesn’t present wealth as only something to be envied; it critiques its hollowness, too. The Cartoons’ extravagant lifestyle is laced with dysfunction, proving that material abundance cannot make up for authentic human connection or moral integrity.
2. Obsession and identity
Oliver’s time at Saltburn is driven by an obsessive infatuation with Felix and all that he represents. This obsession heightens the film’s exploration of identity and self-worth, as Oliver’s desperate need to belong leads him to make increasingly questionable choices. His fixation on Felix suggests deeper emotional and psychological turmoil, raising unsettling questions: How far would someone go to be accepted? At what point does admiration become obsession?
3. Power dynamics in relationships
Oliver and Felix’s relationship is infused with tension and uncertainty. Felix appears to be kind and generous, but the way he treats Oliver Is an example of the entitlement and condescension of the rich, almost as if allowing Oliver access to his (Felix’s) world is charitable. In the meantime, Oliver’s increasing dependence on Felix creates an imbalance of power that serves to drive the darker turns of the story.
The theme extends to the Catton family as well. Despite their affluence, they are riddled with unspoken animosities and rivalries, demonstrating that power struggles exist even among those who seemingly have everything.
4. Morality and ambiguity
Fennell avoids the easy categories of heroes and villains, offering instead characters who are morally gray and whose actions refuse to be idealized or condemned. Oliver’s decisions may be questionable, but they stem from his need to not be victimized by circumstance. Though certainly flawed, the Cattons sometimes reveal themselves in moments of human weakness.
Emerald Fennell’s vision
The direction by Emerald Fennell is crucial in Saltburn. Known for her quick wit and a talent for fusing dark humor with social critique, Fennell writes an entertaining and thought-provoking narrative. In Saltburn, Fennell pushes the visual and emotional excesses of the story, creating a film as sumptuously visual as it is narratively unsettling. The cinematography captures the opulence of the Cattons’ world, while the script delves into the psychological intricacies of its characters.
The performances
The cast delivers exceptional performances, bringing Fennell’s vision to life:
- Barry Keoghan as Oliver Quick: Barry Keoghan is devastatingly heartbreaking as Oliver, while at the same time, being chilling. The character’s vulnerability and desperation have been captured in the nuances, which makes the descent into obsession all the more compelling.
- Jacob Elordi as Felix Catton: He gets the entire vibe of Felix-rightly; a charismatic but utterly insufferable character. He makes his dynamics with Keoghan the prime movers of much tension in the movie.
- Rosamund Pike and Richard E. Grant as Felix’s Parents: Pike and Grants are used as the pillars for the dysfunctional dynamics of the Catton family while hiding all that behind wealth.
- Alison Oliver and Archie Madekwe as supporting actors: Their roles as members of Felix’s inner circle also serve to point up the superficiality and exclusivity of his world
Why Saltburn resonates
Saltburn captivates audiences because it explores universal themes of belonging, ambition, and the human need for connection. In an era increasingly aware of social inequality, the film serves as a poignant critique of privilege and its impact on relationships and identity.
At the same time, Saltburn is deeply personal, delving into its characters’ internal struggles with empathy and authenticity. This duality—its societal relevance and emotional depth—is what makes the film so compelling.
Conclusion
Saltburn is more than a film of wealth and obsession; it’s a mirror of society’s complexity and contradictions. Emerald Fennell has created a film that will long be remembered once the credits have rolled, for it forces people to confront their own uncomfortable truths about privilege, morality, and the human condition. Saltburn, through its compelling narrative, stunning visuals, and powerhouse performances, solidifies itself as thought-provoking and unforgettable for modern cinema. It’s a tale that invites the viewer to step into the world of the elite only to reveal emptiness and danger often lurking beneath the surface.
