Saltburn – Movie Review [Prime Video] (5/5)

SALTBURN on Prime Video is a thriller that is full of mind games. No one can be trusted and everyone is focused on themselves. It’s fascinating and even downright scary at times. Read our full Saltburn movie review here!

SALTBURN is on Prime Video worldwide and you do not want to miss out on this. Officially, it’s a thriller, comedy, and drama hybrid which in itself tells you that it will have quite a few twists and turns. The comedy is dark, though, and there’s also a lot of mystery and even touches of horror.

Writer and director Emerald Fennell has supposedly even referred to it as a sort of vampire movie, which feels strangely accurate. Despite there not being any actual vampires, we can surely all relate to the way some people can act like vampires; Draining the life from others!

Continue reading our Saltburn movie review below. Find it on Prime Video from December 22, 2023.

An unforgettable mindf*ck

In Saltburn, we meet Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan) as he tries to find his place at Oxford University. He isn’t rich or charming, nor is he aristocratic, but Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi) is all of those things. And then some.

That’s why Oliver finds himself drawn to Felix’s world. So, when Felix invites him to spend the summer at Saltburn, he is quick to accept. Saltburn is the huge estate of Felix’s family. A rather eccentric family who seems to be entertained by using people as they please. In every sense!

Overall, Saltburn is an unforgettable mindf*ck and I love it for that! Several scenes in this movie will stay with me. Both visual moments and dialogue that I cannot forget. For better or worse, I might add, as there are some moments I could easily do without.

There is nothing comfortable about Saltburn. Or rather, let me say that you are not allowed to feel or get comfortable. Any moment without confusion or even fear from our main protagonist will soon be followed by something brutal.

The brilliant cast of Saltburn

Barry Keoghan (The Killing of a Sacred Deer, The Batman) is amazing as Oliver Quick. The bright young man who seems to be way in over his head with the rich and privileged young people at Oxford. However, he cannot help but be drawn towards their little clique.

As the “alpha” of this group, we see Jacob Elordi as Felix Catton. Jacob Elordi is exactly as charismatic, charming, and yes, dark, in Saltburn as he is in Euphoria. He’s an absolute scene stealer, but with Barry Keoghan, you can’t help but also want to watch his enigmatic face.

Equally mesmerizing is Rosamund Pike as Elspeth Catton, the Matriarch (and true boss) of the Catton family who resides at Saltburn. Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl, I Care a Lot) always delivers, but even for her, this movie and character are at a different kind of high.

Rounding out the core cast, we also have Richard E. Grant, Alison Oliver (Conversations with Friends), Archie Madekwe (Midsommar), and Carey Mulligan (Promising Young Woman).

Watch Saltburn on Prime Video!

Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn is the kind of movie that lingers in the back of your mind for quite some time. I still haven’t let go of it despite writing this a week later. The same was the case with Emerald Fennell’s previous movie Promising Young Woman and she is quickly becoming a favorite filmmaker of mine.

Both movies were written and directed by Emerald Fennell, so they are very much her projects. Emerald Fennell is already an Academy Award-winning filmmaker (Best Original Screenplay for Promising Young Woman), and Saltburn should earn her many more awards!

Of course, she also produces her own movies. Margot Robbie and Josey McNamara joined her as producers on both Promising Young Woman and now Saltburn. One amazing year for Margot Robbie between the success of both this movie and Barbie.

With a runtime of 127 minutes, you may think it’s too long or too slow. Neither is true by any stretch of the imagination. The movie is a wicked tale of privilege and desire with the tagline “We’re all about to lose our minds”. And yes, you just might – at several points – while watching it. Enjoy!

Saltburn starts streaming globally on Prime Video on December 22, 2023.

Details

Writer & Director: Emerald Fennell
Cast: Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, Alison Oliver, Archie Madekwe, Carey Mulligan