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As of writing this, I have seen Saltburn (2023) a grand total of 4 times. Twice in theaters within opening week in my area, and twice since its home streaming release. I’ll be starting my fifth watch to guide me along in this essay. Let’s get my short review out of the way now, I love this fucking film. I have consistently gone back to re-watch in the 8 weeks since it’s US release. I’ve crafted my own version of the promotional branded bathtub some theaters were giving away during release week, and I’ve made myself an unhinged little crop top based on the bathtub scene and opening line. I have been intrigued by Barry Keoghan since his turn as Druig in The Eternals, which I watched late as Marvel fatigue set in and I just couldn’t be bothered. He was a force, so I went back and watched ‘The Killing of a Sacred Deer” last summer. The man is truly a sight to behold, and more to this essays point, portrays a horrible houseguest like none other.

(Please note that the first time this writer actually saw him act was in the mid aught’s Irish crime drama, Love/Hate, it was a small part but I knew I had seen that face before) Prior to its release I hadn’t seen much about the film, aside from an errant few seconds of an ad. While the internet was in a tizzy about Jacob Elordi, I was still put off by his work on Euphoria. However, when I finally sat and watched a trailer in full I realized that my beautiful, beautiful Barry was leading it and Saltburn looked like my kind of carrying on. As a lover of films about poorly behaved rich people, homoerotic subtext (and text), and all things visually stunning I decided it was a must watch.

Cut to the most exhausting week I’d had in months. Release day came and went but I was determined to see it in theaters before the week was out, so I dragged my tired tush to the local theater on Saturday afternoon and locked in for what turned out to be the most intriguing thing I’d seen all year. When the credits rolled as the music of that final scene ended I sat there, a roiling sea of thoughts, feelings, confusion, arousal, excitement, and disgust. I spent the next 2 days obsessively thinking about what I’d seen and scour the internet for reviews, cast interviews ,and director commentary to try and organize my thoughts. That following Monday, I came in from work, and immediately drove back out to go watch it again. I have seen exactly 3 other movies in this manner; first theater watch followed by a second theater watch within the same week, Black Panther 1 and 2, and Bohemian Rhapsody. After that second watch I was filled with a firmer understanding on my interpretation of the material and a genuine delight of its gorgeous chaos.

On to the review proper. The film opens with a crested silver cigarette case, lighter flick, and a spoken line from Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan) “I wasn’t in love with him” as heart eyed, intimate and tender imagery of Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi) flashes across the screen. No matter what Oliver tries to tell me about his relationship to Felix, nothing will ever convince me that he wasn’t in love with him. It was not a healthy love, it was covetous, obsessive, upsetting, and all consuming, but it was love as best as he could manage it. He laments the obsession others seemed to have with Felix, especially the girls, while he is pictured standing in the hallway as Felix and a girl makeout, or standing the bushes outside his window watching Felix in an intimate moment with a woman. Posturing himself as a better choice for Felix than the embarrassing folks who fawned over him. But you weren’t in love with him? Sure, honey, sure. As you are seen screaming into a blanket and face first in a drain, he was just a good, good friend.

Sidenote, the Oliver we get to see speaking in this voiceover moment is giving Joel Edgerton to me and I do not know what to do with that observation , so it’s yours now. You’re welcome. The main events of the movie take place over one school year at Oxford and part of the following summer, which as an American I will guess runs from September to July/August. 10/11 months is a wild as timeline for how completely the Catton family is disrupted by one chaotic little man.

As a teenager during the period in which the movie is set I was accosted by the costuming in the best way. So much layering, polo and light wash denim.

We also get the first Catton family member sighting with Farleigh making a little dig at Oliver who is dressed like a kids idea of an Oxford scholar. Then it happens, our Ollie gets his first sight of Felix, standing in the courtyard surrounded by cool kids, of course Farliegh is there too. Farliegh is always there, until he isn’t, but I’m getting ahead of myself. As we see Oliver staring at Felix we get the first shot that made me gasp to myself and whisper, ‘how beautiful’. Oliver is centered in the frame with kaleidoscopic refractions of his profile surrounding him. A smile tugs at the corner of his lips and is promptly stifled as we’re back to staring at Felix, the Sun in this cool kid solar system. (Barry is very good looking in a scary way, like I wouldn’t be able to look him in the eye if we were face to face) Next we are thrust into the dimly lit dining hall scene, to meet Michael Gavey, who mirrors the parts of Oliver that he suppresses. The self aggrandizing, quick temper, loneliness.

In lit review Oliver and the Professor are making painful small talk while waiting for the other stand to arrive. He’s is not congratulated on finishing the reading list but instead called mad and informed that it was optional, so far his Scholarly cosplay is off to a bad start. Seems this man doesn’t admire his intellectual prowess. And Farleigh pops in just as the pair resigns themselves to a session filled with more awkwardness.

Farleigh is the brash American cousin of Felix Catton, born of his Aunt Fredrica’s running away to find a life in the US. Very noticeably the only person of color that is not employed explicitly in service to the Catton’s. Farliegh is also quite touchy and intimate putting a hand of Oliver’s thigh in apology, having never met this person. This version of Oliver, aka Ollie 1 is seen as dull and insufferable to most of the other characters that meet him aside from Michael, who to be fair is also quite dull and insufferable. One of my favorite relationships in the movie is that of Farliegh and Oliver. They provoke each other in a way that belies their deep understanding of their own and by extension the other’s place in the Catton’s world. The chemistry is fantastic and I would gladly watch any scenes of these two that didn’t survive the cutting room floor. I can only hope for an old school physical media release ripe with deleted scenes and commentary.

We get more of Oliver gazing longingly at Felix in the Library as he talks to Farlieigh. Michael offers and then rescinds and eats a candy bar after reminding Ollie 1 that they are still very much alike. Now 3 months into the school year with no friends to speak of outside of each other, which is not by choice but proximity. Now the machinations begin. Felix has blown a bike tire and Oliver swoops in to save the day, lending his bike. It always makes me laugh how much of a spoiled idiot Felix is. He just assumes that Oliver will walk his broken one back to the bike shed in the threat of rain, before realizing that this man doesn’t owe him a thing. He is so used to his needs being taken care of with no afterthought. We get another overly familiar interaction with Felix grabbing Ollie about the head and kissing his helmeted forehead twice in thanks. Lavishing him with thanks and love for what he has done in service to his needs. Oliver is down so horrendous he can’t help but smile to himself after looking up into that gorgeous idiots face and being loved on for his utility. Staring longingly at him in the pub, positioning himself to be seen so he might get called over, and he does because Oliver is a smart, calculating little bean. Abandoning Michael the last dregs of Ollie 1 fall away with him. He’s touted as Felix’s hero and allowed to mingle with his crowd. Faleigh, being who he is, makes it a point to take Oliver down a peg by assuming his financial status and ordering a round of expensive shots. If Oliver fails he is the butt of another one of Farleigh’s digs, if he succeeds they still get drunk. Felix, who can’t stand the discomfort as Oliver tries to negotiate with the bartender, swoops in to save him from potential embarrassment. repaying that bike favor with one of his own.

Cute to Oliver smiling upon waking and a beautifully scored montage of he and Felix hanging out and getting closer as friends. Felix offers some insight into Farleigh’s life. Which gives way to Ollie 2 spinning his own woe is me story to gain favor with Felix. Felix who wields his pity like a shield. Another cheeky hand on Ollie’s thigh with no subtext send him giggling during the boarding school convo and the little cheek kiss take him aback, before Felix takes off with a girl. Back in the Library, san glasses and dressed way more casually, Ollie 2 is confronted by Michael, who calls him out for his change in behavior and appearance and warns of his fate with Felix. Felix enjoys Oliver and abhors embarrassment but refuses to stand up for him against Annabel’s negative comments about him as that would breed direct discomfort for him. Cut to the rest of the Ollie in the bush scene, we can draw a line from that hate voiceover Oliver spoke about through his behavior in this scene.

The image of Felix lying on the floor with Oliver’s upside down shadow opposing him the frame is fucking stunning. Felix laments “It’s so fucking hot” and Oliver replies “I know” while staring at Felix with a mix of desire and disdain. There was an attempt to prod and endear himself with the barbs about his status and filthy room, but again Felix cannot stand discomfort, especially when it centers him and his behaviors. So he lashes out at Oliver, who scurries back, not that Felix is threatening him but his physicality mixed with the tone of frustration is imposing. Here we see Oliver realize that he made a misstep in the relationship. Felix dismisses him and again as conflict avoidant as he scant outright say ‘you annoyed me’. Oliver waits all night by the phone waiting for the text we all know won’t come. He drops by the pub, sees the group there and goes home seemingly accepting that hint. (Barry’s walk in this scene defiantly below his boxing training, i don’t know how to explain it but it does) Annabel, who is also on the outs with Felix, traded in for India. She tries to use Oliver as a way t get back to Felix, but by know Ollie 2 understand him fully. Their pairing won’t even register to Felix who does not dwell in anything he finds uncomfortable, nor is he particularly attached to either of them.

The machinations continue after Oliver wakes from his vodka fueled vomit filled night to a call from his mom. He goes to Felix with the sob story to end all sob stories. Allowing Felix to take up arms in pity for him, doing what he can to act as Oliver’s savior. Another cunty dig from Farleigh before the bridge scene. Oliver staring into Felix’s eye like he’s in love with him, the stone throw that fails, more sad Quick family backstory, the invite to summer at the estate. Oliver is very much an outsider to the type of wealth and influence that the Catton’s comfortably exist in. The swell of the score as the cab drops him off fucking rocks. Pissing off Duncan by arriving early, not following protocol. In the limited dialogue Oliver and Duncan share you can tell he sized Oliver up and found him lacking to pass any time in the majesty of Saltburn.

Felix’s blasé tour of the path we take to the boy’s rooms. Olivers awe at the grandeur, and Felix, of course in his slutty little yellow linen shirt. Felix just blithely sates his mom’s fear of ‘beards and stubble’ as a totally normal thing. I live for Elspeth and Pamela’s loud gossip about Oliver, as Pamela must know that talking shit is one of the few ways to endear herself to Elspeth, who only has the bandwidth for one perceived charity case at a time. After she send Pamela way she immediately swaps their places in her mind, gossiping about Pamela with a person who lately met them both 2 minutes prior. Oliver’s exasperation when he returns to his room, through the front way mind you he arrives just before Felix and has a moment to process the insanity of the Catton family. Before Felix says more out of touch shit about staff unpacking and searching guests belonging, dressing in black tie for dinner and cufflinks.

The overarching excitement the Catton’s express at Pamela’s impending departure over Ollie 2’s first dinner, lets him know that for outsiders a welcome by the family is tenuous at best. For me Ollie 3 starts to rear his pretty little head in the Garden with Venetia. Popping out shirtless, using Elspeth’s comment about her draping around the house hoping to be discovered by Felix’s new friend. He uses her isolation and desire to be desired to his advantage. Planting the seed of his interest in her, offering a blanket to reveal his sculpted form, but still being a bit shy about it keeping his arms wrapped around himself. The breakfast scene makes me physically cringe. He is so inept at the high society dance and nothing illustrates it better than his inability to catch the rhythm of the meal. Eggs are made to order, everything else is on the side of course Felix gets served, he’s their golden boy. The runny eggs making him sick, but he can slurp up bath water and cum, with the best of ‘em, sure Oliver.

Shelley’s doppelgänger story highlighting Felix’s fate, a little heavy handed but still effective. Farleigh breaking the tension with a crass comment always entertaining, that one. Now for the field, where Ollie 3 gets into his stride with MGMT backing. Venetia’s giggle and Farleigh’s “good for you” highlight both their physical interest in him. Queue the montage the the 4 of them hanging out over and indeterminate amount of time. Olle 3 further integrating himself into their little unit. Making eyes at Venetia, Farleigh continuously sizing him up. The inverted scene of Oliver smoking in the grass with the pond and gates reflected gets me every time. Also note that whenever the group gets a chance to pair off Oliver is always right next to Felix, in the pond while they talk about the golden trio, on the tennis court, at the pool. The fucking way Oliver looks at Felix eating that popsicle makes me feel feral. The plate scene hold a double meaning, it allows Ollie 3 to endear himself to Sir James, and sets up the Farleigh event later, while also showing that Ollie 3 is actively working at things he thinks will make him fit in with the family. Duncan sneaking up on him in the long gallery and stating that “lots of people get lost in Saltburn”is perfect knowing what you know after your first watch. If you are not of that world, the estate will chew you up and spit you out. My dear Ollie had the gall to think, not if I eat you first. For that I have no choice but to stan that evil man.

48 minutes in we get to the first shocking scene of the film. The barely audible moans, Ollie 3 stalking down the dressing room hall with that swagger in his shoulders, bathed in red light and shadow, to rest in the crack of the door. The close shots of Felix’s body slick with water and sweat from heat of the bath while he brings himself to release. Oliver unable to do anything but watch mouth open gaze full of lust. The next shot lingers a bit too long on the now milky bath water draining as the boys brush their teeth and Felix offers Ollie 3 a cheery “night mate”, like all is well. As soon as he’s sure he is alone Ollie 3 falls to his knees in the bath, mind you he just brushed his teeth, letting the last dry gs of the cum swirled bathwater run against his face, slurping it up, going so far as to tongue the drain for a taste of Felix. But remember, “I wasn’t in love with him.” Now Ollie 3 gets to work on Elspeth who again is insistent on gossiping, this time about Venetia. Unknowingly giving Ollie 3 more ammunition to use in his seduction of the youngest Catton. One of Elspeth’s best lines about lesbianism and men being dry gets dropped here for some added humor. Ollie 3 also gets a change to put it plain that he finds the matriarch attractive and feeds into her gossip with doubts about Poor Dear Pamela who has been whisked away by Sir James in the early morning to avoid a scene.

Now we get the second shocking scene with Ollie 3 and Venetia in the garden again. There a sheer nightie, comments on her disordered eating, “do you understand” delivered in Barry’s best seductive voice (that I can’t help but submit to). He fingers her while she’s menstruating and proceeds to chow down because he is indeed a vampire in the literal and metaphorical sense. We are rewarded with the shot his his chest and chin entering the bathwater with a distinct red stain as the corner of his mouth start to tip up. I love a man who is about his business at all times so I completely feel Venetia’s submission to him.

Farliegh, who is ever present, bears witness to their garden romp and promptly informs Felix who cools toward Ollie 3 from breakfast onward. Venetia and Ollie are too busy making eyes across the table to clock Felix’s sour mood in the moment. I want to take a moment here to talk about Farliegh in depth. As I’ve continually mentioned, wherever Felix is, Farlight is never far away. As causing of a similar age it’s safe to assume that they have spent the many years bonding over their shred familial ties. But we must note Auntie Fred is a burnout in the eyes of the Cattons, marrying a deadbeat, having a mix child, pissing all her money away. In efforts to support his sister they way he knows how Sir James has chosen to pay for Farleigh’s education, and allow him to spend time at the estate amongst family. The estate where he is the only non-white person around that does not exist in Saltburn solely to serve the Catton’s. The look he shares with the footman over this second breakfast scene is palpable. In his discomfort he lashes out making a dig at Oliver for being friendless as Elspeth suggest a birthday party for him since he’ll be with them on the day. Farliegh can often be noted taking pot shots at others he feels are outsiders to the Catton family, as a way to align himself more closely with them though at the core, he is also an outsider as the son of James’ estranged sister and being half black. He is there because they allow him to be not, because he belongs, which is a mind fuck of a situation to be in. There will be more on Farleigh later because I love him.

Oliver gently confronts Felix in that cowering way of his, to get himself back in the good graces of his beloved. He denies hi fling with Venetia, pegs Farleigh as a shit starter fo no good reason a gets more exposition on Felix’s last summer charity case Eddie, who was thrust out after having a fling with Venetia. That evening, Venetia is in the garden under Ollie’s window again but he wouldn’t dare risk the correction he just made with Felix by going to her again. Next day Ollie 3 overhears Felix and Farliegh arguing, no doubt the intensity of which was impacted by Olivers comments the previous day. Auntie Fred is running out of money and in true rich white asshole form Felix minimizes Farleigh’s feelings of discomfort with being the only person of color in the family and having to beg for funds to help himself or his mom out. Fueled by Ollie 3’s manipulations he proclaims that the family is done helping them. I do not expect competent racial commentary for the likes of Ms. Emerald so I’ll leave it alone. What I will say is the overwhelmingly white fans who hate Farleigh but love Oliver need to investigate why that is.

On to the candle lit Henry dinner, where we meet our second black character with actual lines Lady Daphne, the wife of James’ godson. It showcases another wonderfully framed reflected shot of Oliver framed by candles and tape dressing. Eslpeth and Farliegh are sitting together likely gossiping while Felix is sat next to Ventia who confronts him on his retraction of his interest in her. She lefts ollie 3 know he is just a toy, a temporary distraction for Felix who hates to share, hence his upset at the news of his friends’ liaisons with his sister. If you think back to their convo by the pool he wasn’t upset that he snogged his sister out of a sense protection of her, but a desire to keep his relationships, friend or otherwise, separate from her. Daphne once again illustrates Oliver’s ineptitude with this work insisting he follow etiquette and converse with her first as he’s to the left of her. She unlike Farleigh has fully integrated into this world through marriage and childbearing. She voices a disdain for her partner and parenting but will gladly take part in the rituals of wealth such as this dinner party to maintain her station. Putting up with a man who she outright calls an idiot, for his proximity to the life she desires. She is clearly in it for herself and it’s a bit jarring. She forgets how many children she has and raves that she hardly ever has to see them thanks to boarding schools. Mind you, Oliver is a total stranger to her.

Now my favorite section of the film begins. The karaoke scene kicks off 10 minis of heavy Oliver and Farleigh scenes. have I told you how much I love their chemistry. It is fantastic, sexually charged, disdainful, catty, careful, and just plain sumptuous. Ollie 3 goes into education mode but tailors his approach for the way Farleigh interacts with folks, a suggestion of sex, confrontation about his behavior, hitting on his insecurities with the family. They are more alike than they are like the Catton’s and they know it. Farleigh feeling his high ground slip decides to humble Oliver by having him humiliate himself by singing Rent. Which is his most effective barb thus far. Oliver tries to return the favor but Farliegh is too comfortable in his station, outwardly, to let it phase him. We see the first sign of violence from Oliver with the punch to the mirror, a release of the aggression pent up from Farleigh’s scheme. Which gave him the clarity to concoct his own. In the blue moonlight the see Farleigh sleeping and heard the weight of someone join him on the mattress before the shot widens to show Oliver’s silhouette sitting atop him. I am of the camp that finds the scene hot, sue me. If Farleigh wanted him off he could have gotten him off without too much fuss, he has like 8 inches of height on Oliver, and at this point no one in the house has reason to fear him. “Are you going to behave from now on Farleigh?” “No” Grabs a handful of dick. “Are you going to behave?” “No?” “Don’t make me ask again” “Say it” “I’m going to behave” Hand job speed increases, Oliver shushes him, adds some spit for lubrication, shushes him again. Cut to the maid opening the blinds on a nude Oliver, tangled in his sheets.

I am not going to fault Venetia or Farleigh for succumbing to Oliver, I get it. There is something about his intensity that invites you to give in, especially since he crafts his approaches to meet their needs. The mirror is miraculously fixed by morning and we start my least favorite series of scenes for the sheer level of discomfort I feel as a viewer. Farleigh is escorted out for supposedly trying to steal from the Cattons. Oliver is still sat up under Felix while he laments Farleigh’s fate. Here by the pond we also get the news of Pamela’s passing in the most matter of fact way. Oliver seems to consider that he could also become little more than a fleeting mention amongst the Cattons, just like Poor Dear Pamela. Ollie 3 finds himself locked out of the dressing room, while Felix’s moans come through the door. He tries the handle to assume his voyeuristic perch but is denied. Separated from the object of his obsession and a repeat, or progression, of the first tub scene. Another stunning shot of headless Ollie 3 along the bank of the pond in his formal wear, interspersed with dreamy shots of a shirtless Felix, closeups of Olivers on the bank and Felix in the tub again. Now it’s Oliver’s birthday, I want to die every time this sequence starts. Ollie 3 dies and Oliver 4 is born through this arc. The boys are having a great ride in the country, singing along to Mr. Brightside, which is still a banger. Oliver sees a road sign for his home town Prescott, finds out Felix spoke to his mom and Oliver begging to beg and plead for Felix t take him back. Oliver’s dead ahead stare as they pull in the neighborhood and up to the driveway of a nice upper middle class family home. He tries again to prevent the shattering of his carefully crafted facade, but Felix will none. He just wants to support his friend.

I’ll spare you the minutae of the scene. Oliver’s parents are very average people, he’s not an only child. never had any friends, and constantly lies to them about his time at University. Oliver visibly regresses in his childhood home curling into himself, head in his lap, willing it all to just stop. Felix is the one with the facade now, pretending all is well while the layers of Oliver’s subterfuge are cast aside by his parents. The ruin of Oliver’s carefully crafted lies leads to the boys first real fight when the get back to Saltburn, wherein Felix delivers the first of many death knells to Ollie 4, suggesting he go home without a word of this to the family. Oliver cries in bed that night mourning the loss of his relationship with Felix present and future. The Following day is the party, the grounds are overrun with revelers. Costuming did their best work with Oliver’s outfit, I have never wanted to tug on a pair of antlers more in my life. Ollie 4 is looking for Felix try to and get back his good graces. Felix refuses while doing lines in bathroom. Out by the roasting pit Ollie 4 find Farliegh, who reminds him in monologue that this is his family, they invited him, he will always return, and Oliver is nothing more than a footnote in the Catton’s story. More second hand embarrassment as the birthday song is sung and no one present knows Olivers name. The silence at that point made me want to turn myself inside out. The way the party lights hi r Barry’s face san change with his eyes brings me to my knees.

Felix and a girlie head to the maze to hookup. Ollie follows them and the boys second fight ensues. Felix is confronted with his truth, that everyone acts to please him and Ollie 4 is confronted with his truth that he has lost Felix for good. Here Ollie 4 gives way to Ollie 5. Felix is left alone with Oliver’s final line to him “I don’t care what you think anymore.” In the morning Oliver is awoken by shouts throughout the house. Felix is no where to be found. Oliver dons his robe, that looks and awful lot like Felix’s and descend the stairs while the Catton’s and their staff all frantically search for their golden boy. Elspeth’s blood curdling scream rings out when she finds Felix, still in the maze, not far from wear Oliver left him. They all rush to the maze the Cattons taking the long route and Oliver taking the shortcut in a good bit of symbolism. The scene is filled off kilter to add to how disorienting this loss is. The lunch scene makes me want claw my eyes out. Venetia’s overflowing wine glass, Duncan and the curtains , the sound of the stretcher wheels on the gravel, the whole dining room bathed in blood red light, “Eat the bloody pie.” Farleigh exits the house, and the film after Oliver outs him for having cocaine on the grounds, as it is implied that Felix overdosed. Ollie 5 is a cold bitch and he only gets worse as the last 20-30 minutes of the film goes one. Felix is buried and Oliver is excluded from the family’s mourning, which is reasonable. Ollie 5 desecrates his freshly dug grave in a fit of grief that he does not know how to manage. The object of his obsession out of his reach permanently he takes to fucking the grave dirt. When the scene started I was fine, when he kept sobbing, something in me said he’s gonna take off his shirt. When he did and conducted sobbing in the dirt, I said oh no, right before he took off his pants and thrust himself into the dirt. It was the most visceral showing of misplaced and complex grief I’ve ever seen. I’ve seen some people call it r*pe but the way I processed it the act was not about power over Felix, it was simply a man racked with grief trying to reach that which can no longer even dream of having.

Venetia’s monologue in the bath reminds us that this has taken place over less than a year and Oliver has known Felix for 6 months, 7 if where being generous. Oliver is once again confronted with his truth, that he is but a visitor to Saltburn and stranger to the Catton’s who has someone found his way into their family to “eat [them] from the inside.” Their kissing this scene is Ollie taking advantage of her grief and him exercising his last bit of dominance in interactions with her. So Venetia dies. It’s implied she took her own life in the bath after Oliver left her that night. Elspeth and James bury their second child in as many days and this time Ollie 5 gets to attend the full service. James pays him to leave in efforts to regain some sense of normalcy in his home. Elspeth is clinging to him as the last vestige of her children, now that they’ve passed and Farleigh has been exiled. Olle 5 gets a fat bag from Sir James, enough to fund his life way from his family, as the only child he longed to be.The only people that see him leave are the staff of Saltburn, whose we only ever see in passing. Fast forward 15 years, Sire James has taken his life and Elspeth runs into Oliver in the city. She invites him back to the estate now that “the coast is clear”. Clear for what you may ask, for them to fuck around of course. Remember that seed Ollie 3 planted that summer about finding Elspeth “so fucking beautiful.” I need Barry to always have bangs he looks too different with his hair pushed back. Elspeth is dying, fallen ill shortly after connecting with Oliver. But not before she could write him into the will. Which probably wound’t be uncontested but it’s movie so I’ll leave it.

We learn that Oliver planned everything from the foot tire to all their deaths in efforts to take their wealth from under the Catton’s noses. I do want to note that in this flashback sequence, Ollie 3 stayed with Farleigh long enough after their tryst for him to fall asleep, Venetia didn’t get as much courtesy. Sure it was to frame hime but he could have done it another way, he wanted to fuck Farleigh. Oliver could not have Felix so he had everyone one around him that would even entertain the idea Annabel, Venetia, Farleigh, Elspeth. The only ones he couldn’t touch were Sir James and, of course, Felix.

Ollie 5 keeps trying to convince the viewer that he wasn’t in love with Felix, but we ll know by now that the man is a pathological liar, and unreliable narrator. He may deny his love for Felix, allow it to be overtaken by his later hatred for him, but it does not erase his twisted love for Felix River Catton. Whom he loved so dearly that instead of losing that relationship and moving on, he made sure no one else would ever have a relationship with Felix after him. The supercut of every time Oliver kneeled for Felix, to worship at the Altar of the Catton’s golden boy wrecks me. He killed Felix with laced champagne, gave a grieving Venetia access to 2 razor blades, took sire James’ joy, and ripped Elspeth’s breathing tube out to have her suffocate underneath him.

Once Saltburn is his alone, we get the finale. Ollie 5 walking us through the reverse of the tour his beloved Felix gave when he first arrived to the estate as Oliver dances a naked path through all that he now possesses. Doing lines off of the antique furniture while Murder on the Dancefloor plays us along. Oliver now has taken or tasted everything that made his beloved who he was. Barry Keoghan put his whole Barr-ussy into this role and I want him to win awards for it. The ensemble was fantastic and at its end it was fun, shocking sexy, dramatic, silly, and thrilling. Everything I wanted it to be. I want more films to be silly fun, with some real dramatic beats.

While Ms. Emerald calls it an eat the rich story deep in my heart of hearts it is simply a tale of all consuming desire, obsession, and the lengths one will go to to have that which they covet. I do want to know what became of Farleigh and Auntie Fred in the 15 years that passed between Ollie’s golden big boy summer and his acquisition of Saltburn and I’m assuming all the family accounts.

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