The Stream: This film relies on a familiar plot and some off-putting images.

The Big Screen: Wild twists and turns will keep you glued to your seat.

The Final Bill: An excellent cast, clever writing and direction add extra spicy to an otherwise familiar plot.

– Trip Fontaine
Director: Emerald Fennell
Writers: Emerald Fennell
Stars: Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Archie Madekwe, Alison Oliver, Richard E. Grant, Carey Mulligan, Rosamund Pike
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Thriller
Rating: R for strong sexual content, graphic nudity, language throughout, some disturbing violent content, and drug use.
Runtime: 2 hours 6 minutes
Production Companies: LuckyChap Entertainment, MRC Film, MGM
Platform: In theaters November 22, 2023
Notable Trailers: Night Swim, Poor Things, Ferrari, The Beekeeper, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, American Fiction

Hey, Streamers! Saltburn is a promising new release from the writer/director of Promising Young Woman, Emerald Fennell. If you liked the originality and tone of that movie, you may be intrigued by Fennell’s new movie. Here she’s putting her unique spin on a psychological thriller/dark comedy about money, class and desire set in the mid-2000s. Let’s see whether the promise of Saltburn is realized.

In Saltburn, we follow Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan), a scholarship student at Oxford in the mid-2000s, as he struggles to fit into the social scene at school surrounded by his wealthy peers. One peer stands out above the rest, Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi), who catches Oliver’s eye. Felix is the kind of guy who commands a room, everyone flocks to him, and he seems like a decent enough fellow when he could just be an arrogant, contemptuous person. Nevertheless, when Oliver does a minor favor for Felix, a friendship between the young men begins to develop. Felix generously brings Oliver into his inner circle and to his country estate called Saltburn, but things are not as they seem. Shocking and sensual hijinks ensue.

Saltburn is built on familiar ground, but the details in Fennell’s writing and direction bring this film to another level. There are so many tidbits and one-liners that are sprinkled throughout the film giving it the punch it needs. Even if you think you know where the story is going, the journey is so wild you will be pulled further into this twisted world. Moreover, this film is so beautiful to look at. Saltburn, the country estate, is amazing. It’s so expansive, cavernous and cold. It is dripping with decadence and feels a bit wicked as well. The cinematography is sumptuous with its contrasting sun kissed summer color and cold dark tones. All of these filmmaking aspects come together to highlight the film’s themes and off kilter sense of humor.

Barry Keoghan has a great role in Oliver, and he brings that unassuming charm that he had in The Banshees of Inisherin. Keoghan also has a mysteriousness about him that is utilized very well in this character. As the center of the film, Keoghan’s performance has to land, or the entire film could fall apart. He is excellent. Rosamund Pike play’s Felix’s mother, Lady Elsbeth. She has the best line deliveries throughout the film. She is so dry and witty. She really punches up every scene she’s in. The rest of the ensemble is really fantastic as well including Jacob Elordi, Richard E. Grant, and a scene-stealing Carey Mulligan.

Lastly, the soundtrack is top notch. There are some music cues here that you’ll remember as you walk out of the theater. This is a memorable movie in many aspects. It really swings for the fences and I’m glad Fennell is out here making movies that take chances.

Ultimately, Saltburn is an entertaining and darkly comic psychological thriller. It takes big swings and makes a familiar plot new with off kilter details. A strong script and a capable cast bring energy to this film that is sometimes hard to watch but also hard to forget. This movie is worthy of a trip to the theater, and make sure you grab a big box of popcorn on the way to Saltburn.