Saltburn Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A poor college student makes some questionable choices to get a fancy house.

🍿 Saltburn: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Oliver’s Oxford Struggles and Friendship with Felix

Oliver Quick, a scholarship student from a modest background, finds it challenging to fit in at Oxford University in 2006. He’s drawn to the wealthy and popular Felix Catton. Felix, seemingly sympathetic to Oliver’s fabricated tales of familial hardship, takes him under his wing. Their friendship deepens, setting the stage for a summer at Felix’s family estate.

Summer at Saltburn: Decadence and Obsession

Felix invites Oliver to spend the summer at Saltburn, his family’s extravagant estate. There, Oliver meets the eccentric Catton family: Sir James, Lady Elspeth, sister Venetia, and cousin Farleigh. As Oliver ingratiates himself into the family, his obsession with Felix intensifies. Strange and disturbing events begin to unfold, hinting at Oliver’s increasingly sinister nature.

Deception Revealed and Felix’s Death

As the summer nears its end, Felix plans a birthday surprise for Oliver, taking him to meet his estranged mother. Oliver is horrified, as Felix discovers that his stories about his family were lies. Oliver’s family is alive and well, and not struggling with substance abuse or mental health. Felix, betrayed and angered, confronts Oliver, leading to a tense confrontation. The next morning, Felix is found dead in the Saltburn maze, setting off a chain of further tragic events.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan): A struggling Oxford student who becomes obsessed with the wealthy Felix Catton and his family, leading to manipulation and deadly consequences.
• Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi): A charming and wealthy Oxford student who invites Oliver to his family estate, Saltburn, unaware of Oliver’s manipulative intentions.
• Elspeth Catton (Rosamund Pike): The eccentric matriarch of the Catton family who takes a liking to Oliver and is ultimately manipulated by him.
• Sir James Catton (Richard E. Grant): The detached and often oblivious patriarch of the Catton family, seemingly unconcerned with the disturbing events unfolding at Saltburn.
• Farleigh Start (Archie Madekwe): Felix’s cousin and a fellow student who is immediately suspicious of Oliver and becomes his rival.
• Venetia Catton (Alison Oliver): Felix’s troubled sister, who becomes increasingly disturbed by Oliver’s presence and the chaos he brings to Saltburn.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Elspeth Catton: “She’d do anything for attention.” – Said casually by Elspeth upon learning of a friend’s suicide, highlighting her detached and cynical worldview.
• Oliver Quick: “I loved him. I loved him, I loved him, I loved him.” – Oliver repeats this while trying to convince Felix of his affection shortly before his death.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $30M
• Domestic Gross: $11.4M
• Worldwide Gross: $21M

💥 Saltburn Reviews

Personal Review

I went into Saltburn expecting a scandalous drama, and it definitely delivered! The movie kept me on edge from start to finish. Barry Keoghan’s performance was amazing and he was able to capture my attention with his acting. There were some scenes I couldn’t believe I was seeing. The ending was the most shocking!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dark comedies and psychological thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in class commentary and social satire”
  • “Those who appreciate stylish and visually striking films”
  • “Admirers of Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, and Rosamund Pike’s acting”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic sexual content”
  • “Nudity”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Violence”
  • “Disturbing themes”
  • “Suicide”

Professional Reviews

• The Wrap: “Saltburn is a visually stunning film with a fantastic cast, but its shock value often overshadows its narrative depth. Emerald Fennell creates a dark, twisted world, but the story sometimes gets lost in the excess. The performances are captivating, especially Barry Keoghan, but the plot feels derivative at times.
• FandomWire: “This film, directed by Emerald Fennell, presents a psychological thriller drama that delves into the realm of English aristocracy. However, the narrative falters as it becomes predictable and lacks subtlety. The movie explores class differences and obsession, yet fails to deeply examine the societal dynamics.
• N/A: “Emerald Fennell follows up Promising Young Woman with a similarly audacious and provocative, though less successful, exploration of class and desire. Keoghan delivers a fearless performance. Visually stunning but morally dubious, it’s sure to spark debate.

Audience Reactions

Barry Keoghan’s performance was the highlight, showcasing his incredible range and commitment.: The movie’s bold visuals and provocative scenes were widely discussed and admired for their audacity.

The opulent setting of Saltburn estate was a character in itself, adding to the film’s atmosphere.: The soundtrack perfectly complemented the film’s tone, enhancing the viewing experience.

Overall Consensus: Saltburn is a divisive film, praised for its bold visuals and strong performances, but criticized for its shocking content and derivative plot.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The Minotaur statue in the film was designed using Barry Keoghan’s body as the reference, adding a personal and unsettling element to the set design.”
• “Director Emerald Fennell was aware of the anachronism of characters watching ‘Superbad’ in the summer of 2007, before its UK release. She justified it by suggesting Elspeth had connections in the film industry who provided an early copy.”
• “Drayton House in Northamptonshire, used as the filming location for Saltburn Estate, had never been used for filming before.”

🖥️ How to Watch Saltburn?

Saltburn is available for streaming on Prime Video. You can also rent or purchase it from platforms like Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability as it may vary.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Saltburn, you might like these similar films:

• The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999): Direct comparison due to its themes of obsession, identity theft, and social climbing within a wealthy milieu.
• Brideshead Revisited (2008): Thematic similarities in exploring class, privilege, and forbidden desires within an aristocratic English setting.
• The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (1989): Shares a transgressive nature, and explores themes of decadence, power, and social commentary through shocking imagery and unconventional storytelling.
• Parasite (2019): Modern equivalent that explores class differences and the infiltration of a wealthy household by an outsider with sinister intentions.

🛒 Saltburn Related Products

• Brideshead Revisited: A classic novel that explores themes of class, desire, and obsession, similar to Saltburn. A profound meditation on memory, love, and the impact of the past.
• The Talented Mr. Ripley [Blu-ray]: This thriller explores themes of identity, envy, and deception. Features captivating performances and stunning visuals.
• Saltburn Inspired Party Decoration Set: Bring Saltburn into your home. Includes banners, signs, and themed decor to recreate the Saltburn experience.
• Saltburn (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Relive the film’s atmosphere with the official soundtrack. Features iconic tracks and original compositions from the movie.

🎧 Soundtrack

Saltburn features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Murder on the Dancefloor” – performed by Sophie Ellis-Bextor
• “Zadok the Priest (Coronation Anthem No. 1, HWV 258)” – performed by George Frideric Handel

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Jacob Elordi & Barry Keoghan on Hollywood, Future Films & ‘Making It’ | In Conversation

Curious about the chemistry between Jacob Elordi and Barry Keoghan? Watch this interview to hear their thoughts on the movie and experience the camaraderie they built on set.

The Cast Reacts to Tweets | Saltburn | Prime Video

Want to know what the cast thinks about the reactions to their movie? Check out this video to see their hilarious and heartfelt responses to viewer tweets.

‘Saltburn’ star Barry Keoghan talks friendship with Jacob Elordi

If you’re a fan of Barry Keoghan, you’ll love this interview where he talks about his friendship with Jacob Elordi and his thoughts on the themes of Saltburn.

SALTBURN | Theories, Themes & Symbolism Explained | DEEP ANALYSIS (2023)

Intrigued by the complexities of Saltburn? This deep analysis delves into the movie’s hidden meanings, exploring its themes, symbols, and the director’s intent.

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