Saltburn
dir. Emerald Fennell · 2023
Feature
Moral Ambiguity
Mood
Dark / Comedic
Look
opulent yet unsettling, with a vibrant color palette
Structure
linear with flashbacks and character-driven vignettes
Plot
Struggling to find his place at Oxford University, student Oliver Quick finds himself drawn into the world of the charming and aristocratic Felix Catton, who invites him to Saltburn, his eccentric family's sprawling estate, for a summer never to be forgotten.
Why watch
Oliver Quick, a struggling student at Oxford, is swept into the extravagant world of Felix Catton, whose family estate, Saltburn, becomes the backdrop for a summer filled with excess and moral ambiguity. As Oliver navigates the intoxicating highs and perilous lows of this elite lifestyle, the film immerses viewers in a darkly comedic exploration of privilege and the toxic nature of friendship.
Cultural context
contemporary class disparitiesthe allure of elite academiathe impact of social media on identitythe critique of privilege