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Review of Saltburn (2023): A Dark, Satirical Dive into Class, Obsession, and Privilege

Review of Saltburn (2023): A Dark, Satirical Dive into Class, Obsession, and Privilege

Introduction

Saltburn, the latest film by director and writer Emerald Fennell, offers a biting, darkly comedic exploration of class, obsession, and privilege. The film stars Barry Keoghan as Oliver Quick, a socially awkward Oxford student who becomes entangled in the lavish world of Felix Catton (played by Jacob Elordi), a wealthy, charismatic peer. What starts as an innocent fascination gradually morphs into an obsessive and toxic relationship, leading to a narrative steeped in dark satire, tension, and twisted humor.

Fennell, who previously garnered critical acclaim for her Oscar-winning screenplay for Promising Young Woman (2020), delivers another sharp and provocative story in Saltburn. Like her previous work, the film explores the darker side of human nature, focusing on how power dynamics, envy, and privilege can corrupt people’s lives and identities. Fennell’s distinctive voice is once again evident in her ability to balance biting social commentary with moments of absurdity and grotesque humor.

Plot Summary

The plot of Saltburn revolves around Oliver Quick, a poor but brilliant student at Oxford University. Oliver is socially awkward, introverted, and has a strained relationship with his family, who are depicted as working-class and emotionally distant. During his time at Oxford, Oliver forms a friendship with Felix Catton, an effortlessly charismatic and wealthy young man from an elite background.

Felix invites Oliver to spend the summer with his family at their sprawling estate, Saltburn, which is nestled in the British countryside. The Catton family is everything Oliver has never had: rich, privileged, and seemingly perfect. Felix’s mother, played by Rosamund Pike, exudes icy control, while his father (played by Richard E. Grant) embodies the apathy of old money. The family’s interactions, filled with passive-aggressive tension and a sense of moral decay, highlight the grotesque disparity between their outward appearances and inner corruption.

As Oliver becomes more entangled in the Catton family’s world, his fascination with Felix deepens, and the lines between admiration, envy, and obsession blur. The relationship between the two young men becomes increasingly toxic, as Oliver’s desire for acceptance and status drives him to adopt disturbing behaviors. As the summer progresses, the veneer of the Cattons’ glamorous life starts to crack, revealing hidden secrets, repressed desires, and moral decay that threaten to consume them all.

Themes and Social Commentary

Class and Privilege

One of the film’s central themes is the exploration of class and privilege. Saltburn doesn’t shy away from showing the enormous gulf between the lives of the wealthy and those of the working class. Oliver’s background is rooted in financial struggle and emotional neglect, while Felix and his family embody the gilded, carefree existence of old money. Through Oliver’s eyes, we experience a world where status is everything, and where superficial charm often masks deep-seated cruelty.

The Catton family’s wealth is not just a matter of material excess, but a source of moral corruption. Their indifference to the world outside their mansion and their disregard for the struggles of people like Oliver are indicative of the inherent privileges and blind spots that come with great wealth. The film examines how this privilege blinds the characters to their own flaws, as they exist in a bubble where their power and influence shield them from the consequences of their actions.

Oliver’s obsessive desire to belong to this world speaks to a broader societal critique: the insidious lure of wealth and status, and how it can consume one’s sense of identity. Throughout the film, Oliver is increasingly willing to sacrifice his moral compass to fit into a world that never truly accepts him, revealing the dangerous allure of elitism and the human desire for validation from the powerful.

Obsession and Identity

Another crucial theme of Saltburn is the psychological exploration of obsession and how it shapes identity. Oliver’s initial admiration for Felix transforms into something darker as he becomes more entrenched in the Catton family’s world. Fennell brilliantly uses Oliver’s character to illustrate how toxic relationships can warp one’s sense of self, as Oliver loses touch with his own values and desires in his quest to become part of Felix’s inner circle.

This theme is most apparent in the film’s unsettling third act, where Oliver’s obsession leads him to commit acts that are both morally ambiguous and disturbingly invasive. His relationship with Felix is built on a foundation of manipulation and power, and Oliver's inability to see past his obsession with Felix's world is ultimately his undoing. Fennell uses this dynamic to explore how our desires can overshadow our moral judgments, leading us to rationalize actions that would otherwise be unthinkable.

Character Analysis and Performances

Barry Keoghan as Oliver Quick

Barry Keoghan delivers an exceptional performance as Oliver Quick, a character who starts off as a sympathetic outsider but slowly morphs into a deeply unsettling figure. Keoghan’s portrayal of Oliver captures the character's vulnerability, awkwardness, and yearning to be accepted by a world that feels out of his reach. His transformation from an innocent bystander to an active participant in the darker aspects of the Catton family’s world is both haunting and tragic.

Keoghan’s ability to balance Oliver’s naivety with his growing obsession is one of the film's standout qualities. His wide-eyed expressions and uncomfortable demeanor make it clear that Oliver is an outsider trying desperately to fit in. But as the story progresses, Keoghan allows us to see the cracks in Oliver’s psyche, revealing a man who is willing to compromise everything for the illusion of belonging.

Jacob Elordi as Felix Catton

Jacob Elordi’s portrayal of Felix Catton is charismatic and chilling in equal measure. Felix is the perfect representation of wealth and privilege: charming, attractive, and entirely unaware of the damage he causes with his actions. Elordi captures the effortless magnetism that makes Felix so captivating to those around him, particularly Oliver. At the same time, there’s a coldness beneath Felix’s polished exterior, a subtle hint that he is not as naive or innocent as he seems.

While the film focuses on Oliver’s perspective, Felix remains a crucial figure, embodying the allure and danger of the world Oliver desires to enter. Elordi’s performance effectively conveys the character’s complexity — he is not a villain in the traditional sense, but rather someone whose wealth and privilege have allowed him to avoid confronting the consequences of his actions.

Rosamund Pike and Richard E. Grant

As Felix’s mother, Rosamund Pike delivers a standout performance as the icy and controlling matriarch of the Catton family. Her character exudes an almost terrifying sense of control and privilege, and Pike’s portrayal is both nuanced and unsettling. Similarly, Richard E. Grant plays Felix’s father, a figure who is outwardly aloof and disengaged, but whose apathy masks a deeper moral decay. Together, Pike and Grant contribute significantly to the film's exploration of toxic family dynamics and the corrupting influence of wealth.

Cinematography and Visual Style

The cinematography of Saltburn, helmed by director of photography Linus Sandgren, is a visual feast. The film’s aesthetic is intentionally glamorous and sleek, reflecting the opulence of the Catton family’s world. The grandiose mansion, Saltburn, is a symbol of both wealth and decay — a place where beauty and darkness coexist. The camera lingers on the pristine, picture-perfect surroundings of the estate, creating an unsettling contrast with the moral rot bubbling beneath the surface.

The color palette of the film is deliberately lush, with rich tones of gold, green, and blue enhancing the sense of decadence. Sandgren’s use of lighting and framing emphasizes the emotional distance between characters, especially in moments where Oliver is isolated or alienated. The visual choices in Saltburn enhance the film’s themes of privilege, obsession, and social disconnect, adding an extra layer of complexity to the story.

Tone and Direction

Emerald Fennell’s direction of Saltburn strikes a delicate balance between dark humor and psychological thriller. Like her previous film Promising Young Woman, Saltburn is both satirical and deeply disturbing, with moments of absurdity punctuating the darker themes. Fennell’s sharp wit is evident in the dialogue, which often veers into biting social commentary on privilege, wealth, and the moral compromises people are willing to make to fit in.

At the same time, Fennell doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable and grotesque elements of the story. There is a palpable sense of unease throughout the film, particularly in the final act, where the tension reaches a boiling point. The film’s pacing builds slowly, allowing the audience to become absorbed in Oliver’s descent into obsession, before delivering a shocking and unexpected conclusion.

Conclusion: A Provocative Satire on Privilege and Obsession

Saltburn is a darkly comic, visually stunning film that showcases Emerald Fennell’s talent for blending satire, suspense, and social commentary. The film’s exploration of privilege, obsession, and identity is both timely and thought-provoking, making it a relevant commentary on modern society’s obsession with wealth and status. Through exceptional performances, particularly from Barry Keoghan and Jacob Elordi, Fennell creates a story that is as unsettling as it is captivating.