After its streaming release on Dec. 22, “Saltburn” has gone viral. Labeled as a psychological thriller and comedy, “Saltburn” gained many viewers through the lure of some of the most disturbing scenes known to film. Across social media platforms, “Saltburn” received mixed reviews. Some viewers adored the twisted plot, while others were appalled. Many have described their experience watching “Saltburn” as traumatizing.
The film stars Jacob Elordi as Felix Catton, a favorite of many through the hit show “Euphoria,” and Barry Keoghan as main character Oliver Quick. Personally, I thought the acting in this film was great. There were a lot of intense scenes that they pulled off very well. As for the vulgarity of the movie, it seemed almost unnecessary. That was the opinion of many viewers who were displeased with the film. Although I have to admit, despite whether or not it was enjoyable, “Saltburn” certainly had that shock element that makes good thriller movies.
The story follows new Oxford student Oliver, who is attending on scholarship. Oliver is the typical introvert who struggles with his social life and finding a place at Oxford until he meets fellow student Felix Catton. Felix is the opposite of Oliver in every way. Felix is loud, friendly and very popular. In a moment of fate, Oliver passes by Felix during a moment of distress and helps him out. Despite their opposing personalities, from there on, the two boys quickly form a very close-knit friendship.
Felix invites Oliver to stay with him at Saltburn, his family’s estate, for the summer holiday. At Saltburn, Oliver meets the rest of Felix’s inner circle, and a series of unusual events unravels.
Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of this film is Oliver’s seemingly unexplainable series of actions. The movie follows an unusual pattern of a slow plot quickly interrupted by a wildly weird scene and then back to a slow plot again. Trying to decipher the logic behind Oliver’s character throughout the movie is definitely hard to manage. This movie is one that does not fully make sense until the end. If you are someone who enjoys suspense, then this one’s for you. If you prefer something that is not too hard to follow, then I would not recommend it.
My favorite aspect of this movie was the odd combination of unsettling moments with comedic ones. I felt the comedy helped remove some of the intensity and made it more engaging. Comedy is usually a tricky choice in a thriller or intense movie, but “Saltburn” plays this off well.
I also enjoyed the portrayal of Elordi’s character in the film. Elordi typically plays more “bad boy” type characters, so to see him play someone who is overly friendly was interesting and definitely a good addition to his acting career. I had never heard of Keoghan prior to this film, but his dedication to the role is evident in his portrayal.
Overall, “Saltburn” has a balance of good and bad. The execution was not my favorite. The inconsistent pacing certainly put a damper on the film. Some scenes were unnecessarily disturbing. However, looking past all of this, the plot was truly original and extremely fascinating.
That being said, it is these appalling aspects that gained this film so much attraction in the first place. Despite being very unconventional, “Saltburn” is certainly a movie that got people talking. “Saltburn” perfectly sums up the genre of psychological thriller and comedy. If you are looking for a movie that will keep you thinking, surprise you and also explain the sudden hype of the song “Murder on the Dance Floor” by Sophie Ellis-Bexter, then “Saltburn” is perfect for your next movie night.
