Barry Keoghan is always the co-star, never the star. But in Saltburn, his first leading role movie — as opposed to a scene-stealing side character — he plays an “obsessive Scouser” named Oliver who falls in with an aristocratic crowd as a college student. Euphoria alum Jacob Elordi appears opposite him, as Felix, the wealthy subject of his character’s obsession.
Now, after months of waiting, the 00s-set film has finally had its worldwide release and we’re convinced it will be Promising Young Woman director Emerald Fennell’s next divisive thriller. Why? Well, because it is one of the most obtusely sexual and dangerous movies of 2023, featuring a semen-laced bathwater drinking scene, hard drug use and full frontal nudity.
Naturally, TikTok has been set alight by folks turning up in theatres anticipating a fun friendship campus movie with hot guys and getting, well, more than that. As the film rolled out in a wider release, people jumped on social media to share their deeply uncomfortable, often very horny reactions to it.
So what is the Saltburn plot that’s sending everyone into a spiral? Who else is in the cast? Here’s everything we know.
What’s the plot of Saltburn?
Described broadly as a “story of obsession”, Saltburn follows Oliver Quick, a working class lad who’s hustled hard to get his place at Oxford University. When he arrives, he finds himself becoming besotted by Felix Catton, the aristocratic heartthrob of the college. When the pair become friends, Felix invites Oliver to his family’s country estate for a wild summer never to be forgotten.
What’s more, at a screening for the Academy on 19 September, Emerald spoke about the film in an unexpected new context: as a vampire film, in which Oliver is sucking the soul out of his richer peers, in the hopes of assuming some of their power. But it’s also about how one can be hoodwinked by the lure of the lifestyle. Oliver, Emerald said, “worked his whole life to get to this place, to get to Oxford, this place that he’s fantasised about that he thinks will unlock this door… [but] all of the stuff he thought that was worthwhile, it’s all a trick.”
Who’s in the cast?
Barry Keoghan and Jacob Elordi are the film’s co-leads. Supporting actors include Gone Girl MVP Rosamund Pike, Promising Young Woman star Carey Mulligan, Richard E. Grant, Archie Madekwe, Alison Oliver and more.
What are the reviews like for Saltburn?
The film had its world premiere at Telluride Film Festival in August and the response was mostly positive. The Wrap called it “a distinct and wildly entertaining probe into familiar waters of privilege”, while the Wall Street Journal said Barry’s performance was “absolute perfection”. Awards Radar said it was “an audacious and exquisite display of Emerald Fennell and Barry Keoghan’s powers”.
Is there a trailer or photos from Saltburn?
Yes! Earlier in 2023, a teaser trailer and first-look photos showcased the affluent world in which Barry’s character finds himself, as he closely and longingly watches his friend party through life. Now we have a look at a new-full length, red band trailer, which captures the film’s freaky hedonism. Watch it above!
Why is Saltburn rated R?
Saltburn received an R-rating for its “strong sexual content, graphic nudity, language throughout, some disturbing violent content, and drug use”.
What’s this about a bathwater drinking scene?
Yep! Spoiler — there’s a scene in the film in which Barry’s character Oliver drinks Jacob’s character Felix’s bathwater after he’s masturbate in it, slurping it from around the sinkhole as the last dregs disappear. Speaking to Variety on the red carpet for the film’s premiere, Jacob said: “I was like, ‘Thank God, it’s mine’. I was very proud. I was very proud to have Barry Keoghan guzzling it like that.”
Guzzling?! Proud?! Thank? God? It’s? Mine? If this entire film’s press tour is revolved around the homoeroticism of the film bursting off the screen and into these interviews, we’re not mad. More deranged statements like this please.
What songs are on the Saltburn Soundtrack?
While the film’s score was crafted by the same composer behind Promising Young Woman, Anthony Willis, the soundtrack features an array of throwback hits covering everything from indie anthems to club bangers. Starting with “Sound of the Underground” by Girls Aloud, we then go into “Time To Pretend” by MGMT, “Hang Me Up To Dry” by the Cold War Killers and “Mr Brightside” by The Killers. Tracks by Arcade Fire, Bloc Party and the Pet Shop Boys also feature alongside The Cheeky Girls, “Low” by Flo Rida and T-Pain and, finally (and perhaps ominously?) “Murder On The Dancefloor” by Sophie Ellis Bextor.
Emerald explained her reasoning for the chaotic yet iconic tracklist in an interview with NME. “It was such an interesting time for music, because a lot of the huge bands [back] then did not outlive the time. And so it was [a matter of] looking at those bands who are beloved and still make great music, but maybe their big moment was then, so it really fixes you in that time.”
What is the release date for Saltburn?
Distributed by Amazon and MGM, Saltburn hit select theatres worldwide on 17 November before a wider release on 22 November.