Introduction
Captivating in its fusion of a dark comedy and a thriller, Saltburn is a fascinating 2023 movie that has won fans with its interesting story and great acting. The story is created by Emerald Fennell who is back on screen after a break from directing the award-winning film Promising Young Woman (2020). The film tells a story of human obsession, class struggle, and love, set in a rich but secretive British mansion.
Release Date
On November 17, 2023, Saltburn was first released in the United States and was available widely on November 24, 2023. Before its main release, the film was featured at the Telluride Film Festival where it received great reviews and thereby increased the excitement of the worldwide viewers.
Filming Locations
- Saltburn Estate: The titular estate is portrayed as a Gothic-inspired mansion, complete with sprawling gardens and intricate interiors. The location plays a pivotal role in creating the film’s eerie yet opulent atmosphere.
- Oxford University: Some of the early scenes were filmed in and around Oxford, lending authenticity to the academic settings crucial to the plot.
- English Countryside: The rural charm surrounding the estate contrasts beautifully with the extravagant lifestyle depicted in the story.
Soundtrack
In Saltburn, the music serves to enhance the drama by portraying the emotions of the characters and the changing aspects of the film. The score incorporates old and modern songs, creating easily alternated balances between suspenseful, comic, and dramatic portions.
- Classical Influences: Reflecting the grandeur of the Saltburn estate, classical symphonies feature prominently in key scenes, emphasizing the film’s lavish and mysterious setting.
- Modern Tracks: Juxtaposing the traditional elements, modern music pieces are woven into pivotal moments to underline the stark contrast between Oliver’s modest origins and the aristocratic world of Felix Catton.
Director
Emerald Fennell’s direction in Saltburn is a textbook case of Cinematic Scripting. Her directorial style is bold and tackles various themes that are moral or have some societal inequity. The central premise behind Saltburn for Fennell was to craft a rather dark comedy that stays with the viewer. This was achieved by exploring the elements of plot and character development on an epic scale which heightened the visual appeal of Saltburn.
Producer
The movie has been produced by Emerald Fennell in collaboration with Margot Robbie, Tom Ackerley, and Josey McNamara. The film has been produced under the banner of LuckyChap Entertainment, the same production house that produced the likes of I, Tonya and Promising Young Woman. It is needless to say that this production house is once again out with a project that transgresses the established norms and practices.
Cast
| Actor | Character | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Barry Keoghan | Oliver Quick | A struggling Oxford student drawn into Felix’s lavish world. |
| Jacob Elordi | Felix Catton | The charming and wealthy aristocrat who captivates Oliver. |
| Rosamund Pike | Elspeth Catton | Felix’s enigmatic mother with an air of eccentricity. |
| Richard E. Grant | Felix’s Father | A stern figure representing the family’s aristocratic legacy. |
| Alison Oliver | Supporting Role | Adds complexity to the narrative with her compelling portrayal. |
Trailer
The riveting teaser trailer of Saltburn leaves one craving for more with its suspenseful and dark comedic elements. The gravity is focused on the Saltburn estate in the trailer introducing the main plot and some of the plot’s psychological elements to us. The trailer successfully portrays the combination of Saltburn being super lavish yet so haunting making everyone want to know the entire story even more.
Plot
Saltburn’s main character is Oliver Quick, a working-class Oxford student who does not seem to fit anywhere among the elites. However, when he is introduced to the wealthy and outgoing classmate Felix Catton, he gains the Catton’s family’s sponsorship and goes to spend the summer at their luxurious mansion called Saltburn – this is how the story goes. What was retreating to a country house at first, quickly transforms into a troubled life as Oliver gets deeper into the Catton family’s lives where everything is about power, control and intrigue.
Conclusion
Saltburn in equal parts has viewers bewildered, mesmerized, and entertained. It is the brain of a great storyteller in Emerald Fennell who successfully created a film with an excellent plot, brilliant performances, and stunning images.
