Saltburn: Greed and Lust in Northamptonshire
I’m perplexed by how to talk about the movie Saltburn, directed by Emerald Fennell, and I am still struggling with finding the appeal beyond the shock.
Saltburn’s cast is top notch, including:
- Carey Mulligan (The Great Gatsby, Shame) as Pamela
- Barry Keoghan (Top Boy, The Killing of Sacred Deer) as Oliver Quick
- Jacob Elordi (Euphoria, The Kissing Booth Franchise) as Felix Catton
- Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl, I Care A Lot) as Elspeth Catton
The genre that this film falls into is Thriller/Comedy. It definitely delivered; I would even call it a Dark Comedy.
The general response of curiosity and disgust of those on the internet definitely piqued my interest.
Saltburn: Themes
Primarily, this film highlights how many in the working class wish to rub shoulders with high society but become dismayed at the lack of depth in the moneyed class.
The major themes I identified were:
- Manipulation
- Narcissism
- Opportunism
- Paranoia of lower classes
- Just how boring, shallow, and stupid the moneyed class can be
Contrary to the illusions of fine dining and lusty intrigue, the working class protagonist realizes associating with the moneyed class is more like being thrown into a pit of vipers. You simply have to avoid being bit, while trying to take what they have. After all, isn’t the moneyed elite do to those within their grasp?
For more insights into therapeutic themes in movies and TV, check out my podcast, Watch This with Eli here on my website or wherever you find your favorite podcasts!
Saltburn: Characters and Plot
The characters in this film are all villains to me. Their dialogues and mannerisms do little to belie the way they use each other. Once you’ve served your purpose, they’ll toss you in the bin.
The film’s protagonist is Oliver, an Oxford student, obsessed with the moneyed Felix. The bulk of the film unfolds at Felix’s family estate in Northamptonshire, Saltburn, where Oliver is Felix’s guest for the summer.
Oliver goes to extremes in order to get what he wants and displays disturbingly obsessive behaviors toward Felix.
He utilizes sex as a tool to sleep with most of the other supporting characters to disturbing effect.
Putting the Burn in Saltburn
Oliver’s first night at Saltburn he catches Felix masturbating in the bathtub. Felix drains the tub, exits, and Oliver lustfully rushes to the drain to slurp the bathwater.
Overcome with an odd laughing revulsion, I find myself disturbed by the extremes Oliver is willing to go to to be nearer to Felix.
Red Wings
Oliver’s manipulation of the family continues when he performs oral sex on Venetia, Felix’s sister. He does this despite being informed she is on her period.
Afterward, the movie cuts to Oliver is under water in the bathtub with blood around his mouth like he poured too much ketchup on a glizzy.
Mourning Wood
Lastly, after Felix passes away, Oliver struggles with his emotions. He, ultimately, lies atop Felix’s grave and grinds sexually against the dirt.
I think this scene was hilarious and over the top. I was dying of laughter when he actually did what I thought he would do.
Naked Jaunt
After finishing his plans of acquiring Saltburn, Oliver is frolicking throughout the estate completely nude. There are TikToks of people imitating the final scene of the movie.
What does it all mean?
With all of the shock scenes out of the way, what does the film actually mean?
By the end of the movie we learn that it was all a carefully constructed plot by Oliver to take away the hoarded wealth of the Catton family.
Money lures people to do things outside their moral comfort zone.
Furthermore, the wealthy are driven by greed, lust, and all basic human failings but only have their wealth due to luck. Typically that luck comes in the form of a winning the birth lottery and having connections or family money.
The moneyed class will never be held accountable until the working classes rise up and exterminate them as Oliver did here, using their own methods of manipulation against them.
Are you or a loved one struggling with addiction, intrusive thoughts, or inappropriate sexual behavior? Schedule an appointment with Eli through Sexual Addiction Treatment Services.
