‘Saltburn’ is a sizzling thriller that’ll stun in ways you didn’t expect
Saltburn – a black comedy thriller – is the second feature directed by the very talented Emerald Fennell, following her award-winning film Promising Young Woman (2020).
Like her previous offering, Saltburn follows the popular cinematic motif of the privileged elite facing the consequences of their self-centred actions.
Fennell has said her new film is metaphorically a ‘vampire’ film as it explores how someone can behave when they are completely besotted. It certainly boasts artistic cinematography, explicit sexual tension, thrilling twists and risqué scenes that will make your jaw drop.
Saltburn follows a young university student (Barry Keoghan) who becomes infatuated with his prattish schoolmate (Jacob Elordi) and his wealthy but eccentric family for a summer not to be forgotten.
It’s best if you go into this film not knowing too much, to enable you to enjoy discovering the dark and twisted perceptions behind class prejudice and obsession.
It has been a while since a contemporary thriller was so scintillating, with scenes that border on censorship ratings of R, yet not quite crossing that line.
The outstanding cast is a massive draw card, perfectly suited to their sardonic characters. Co-starring Rosamund Pike as the superficial Lady Elsbeth Catton, and Carey Mulligan like you’ve never seen her as the colourful and quirky “Poor Dear Pamela”. Richard E Grant also appears, as the amusing eccentric father of this wealthy but warped family.
Fennell wanted to set the story in a stunning country estate never before filmed in and successfully executed filming at the opulent Drayton House, Northhamptonshire, the estate almost a character in itself, enabling the dark moody atmosphere to weave the sordid themes shrouded in mystery and controversy. The sumptuous manor setting and upper-class luxuries like the Catton family tradition of dressing in your finest for dinner, is visually alluring.
Some might surmise that Saltburn is the marriage of Brideshead Revisited and The Talented Mr Ripley. To me, it’s next level in its wickedness.
‘Saltburn’ is in cinemas now.
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