Stepping into a film that I know little about is the best kind of surprise. While I’d seen a trailer for Saltburn, I was in no way prepared for what I was about to encounter. Saltburn is equally spellbinding as it is disturbing with a superb cast led by a career defining performance from Barry Keoghan with gorgeous lighting and cinematography. This might just be not only Emerald Fennell’s best film yet but one of the most talked about films of 2023.

 

Academy Award winning filmmaker Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman) brings us a wicked tale of privilege and desire. Struggling to find his place at Oxford University, student Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan) finds himself drawn into the world of the charming and aristocratic Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi), who invites him to Saltburn, his eccentric family’s sprawling estate, for a summer never to be forgotten.

 

I hope the word of mouth for Saltburn spreads like wildfire. It completely deserves it. Not only because it’s a phenomenal film but because no one will want the plot to be spoiled at all on this one. Grab your mates and get to the first available screening.

So, I’m not about to spoil it here by detailing the narrative or any influences or themes that I reckon are at play here. All I’ll say is that the narrative of Saltburn is arresting; it draws you in with well rounded and developed characters and a plot that is beguiling to say the very least. There are a number of scenes (you’ll know them when you see them - trust me) that are not for the faint hearted too. You have been duly warned. 

 

The lighting and cinematography here is gorgeous with some of the most inspiring and stunning shots on celluloid this year. Emerald Fennell has shown that Promising Young Woman wasn’t a one hit wonder and that she is a phenomenal filmmaker whose quality of film making prowess demands for every film she crafts to be seen. 

 

For some The Banshees of Inisherin was the first time that they had experienced Barry Keoghan. And while his role of Dominic was a relatively small, supportive one there, he is front and centre, leading Saltburn. This is a career defining performance for Keoghan, filled with equal parts quiet cunning and destructive, all consuming rage. 

 

Saltburn is equally spellbinding as it is disturbing with a superb cast led by a career defining performance from Barry Keoghan with gorgeous lighting and cinematography. This might just be not only Emerald Fennell’s best film yet but one of the most talked about films of 2023.