There is a lot of anticipation out there for the follow up of director Emerald Fennell, who burst onto the screen in her written and directed debut “Promising Young Woman.” For that she won her first Oscar for best original screenplay and cemented her as an original force in cinema to come
Her next film, “Saltburn,” is described as a gothic thriller infused with glitter; and with her previous feature, this is a pattern with Fennell’s work—looking at the darkness in life but with a rose tinted camera. The film follows Oliver played by Barry Keoghan, who is a student at Oxford University but he is struggling to make friends. However, in a chance meeting with popular aristocrat Felix played by Jacob Elordi, he finds himself in the orbit of Felix where he invites him to his family’s estate for the summer and tragic events ensue.
A Dark Portrait of Escapism
The film portrays a dark and luscious portrait of obsession and escapism through its imagery and cinematography by Linus Sandgren, who evokes the darkness of the events that occur for Oliver during his stay at Saltburn. Alongside the lush imagery, Fennell’s script is equally emotive; she uses metaphors of spiders and vampires to create an anxiety fever dream which is “Saltburn’s” unreal sense of reality.
The talented ensemble of actors showcase their range, as the plot boasts a lot of twists and turns which are devious and surprising. Keoghan gives a towering performance as Oliver Quick, his first proper starring role, which is both sinister and irresistibly charming in equal. Another pivotal character is Felix played by Elordi who most will know from HBO’s show “Euphoria.” He plays the dreamy spoiled rich boy, but uses his charm to win over not just Oliver, but the audience. There are some standout supporting characters, played by Carey Mulligan, reuniting with Fennell and Richard E. Grant, who is absolutely perfect as an eccentric blue blooded father to Felix. However, the best performance goes to Rosamund Pike who delivers the quippy one liners and has razor sharp wit, which turns the plot of the film on its head and showcases that this family is not all what they seem.
Fennell’s Film Doesn’t Disappoint
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This film will be decisive as the gothic elements may go too far for people, but Fennell leaves no stone unturned and goes big for her next feature which may leave some viewers uncomfortable. It is a complex portrait of obsession and desire, but can show how it can easily tip over into something a lot more deep and disturbing. It is not a film for the faint of heart, but you can’t take your eyes off the screen as it is so compelling and visually stunning so you may find yourself going back for multiple viewings.
“Saltburn” had its world premiere at the 50th Telluride Film Festival in August. It is currently playing exclusively in theaters.
