Quartile rating: 7.5/10 · 1 rating
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.
Saltburn is a visually sumptuous and darkly seductive thriller anchored by exceptional performances, particularly Barry Keoghan's unnerving, chameleonic turn as Oliver. Emerald Fennell shoots in a distinctive 4:3 aspect ratio that lends the estate a suffocating, intimate grandeur, and the cinematography is genuinely exceptional. The acting ensemble — Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike — is well above average. The plot, however, borrows heavily from Ripley, The Talented Mr. Ripley, and similar class-obsession thrillers, and while it's executed with style, the narrative mechanics are familiar. Novelty is moderate — Fennell has a distinctive voice, but the film's twist-heavy structure feels slightly calculated. The ending, including the now-infamous dance sequence, is bold and divisive but risks feeling like a stylistic flourish over earned dramatic payoff.