Writer and director Emerald Fennell’s debut movie was the darkly comic Promising Young Woman, with Carey Mulligan as a woman who pretends to be drunk to ensnare men who are willing to take advantage of her. The film won Best Original Screenplay for Fennell. Now she is back with Saltburn, or what could be described as Promising Young Man, for this follows similar grounds in it being a dark comic, almost gothic horror about class, wealth, obsession and wanting more than you have. It’s also not for the easily offended.

Oliver Quick arrives at Oxford alone and finds himself an outsider in a world of privilege. He sees the impressive and famous Felix and wants to be part of his world. When fate brings them together, Oliver is invited to spend his summer at Felix’s family estate, Saltburn, a world away from Oliver’s upbringing. He soon becomes accepted by Felix’s family, and all seems well until events pull his friendship with Felix apart and a determination to stay kicks in.

Fennell’s film is shot in Academy ratio, which means it’s a small box shape that makes the whole movie feel more claustrophobic. Close-ups become almost uncomfortable, and the details of this majestic-looking piece are more defined; the art direction and production design, especially within Saltburn itself, is a joy to behold, yet there is an air of gothic horror about the lighting and the use of shadows and looking through cracks in doors or hiding behind curtains to spy on the outside world. This is an impressive yet creepy film.

Yet, for all its creepiness, this is played out in three distinct acts. The first is Oliver entering into a strange new world. Brought up in Merseyside and thrown into the clutches of Oxford University, he comes across as far too needy. Dressed in a suit and tie with robes, making him stand out, he is quickly ridiculed by Farleigh, an American whose mother seems to be indebted to Felix’s family. Refusing to be bullied by Farleigh, Oliver finds himself in a strange new world when Felix opens the door for him to enter and the friendship forms between the two men.

The second act explores Oliver entering Felix’s family world, where the routine is to dress for dinner, arise for breakfast, spend the rest of the day lying around in the sun, reading Harry Potter (this is 2006) and doing as little as possible. Oliver forms relationships with Felix’s mother and his sister, Venetia, while trying to get closer to Felix, even though Farleigh is determined to ruin it.

The final act is when it all goes crazy. It takes us down some very dark and disturbing tunnels that you wonder how far it will go. Fennell cleverly draws us into a world where we think it’s about class and wanting the audience to despise how privileged they are, yet it is not as it would seem. Neither are the characters either. We are supposed to sympathise with Oliver, yet something doesn’t sit right. We are not supposed to be on Felix’s side or, indeed, any of his family and friends, and yet where she takes us is so unexpected that you find yourself siding with the wrong people.

The performances are terrific from a very talented group of actors. Heartthrob Jacob Elordi, who we will see next as Elvis in Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla, proves why he has become such a likeable screen presence, while the consistently brilliant Richard E. Grant seems to be having far too much fun as the eccentric father of the house. Yet it is Rosamund Pike and Barry Keoghan who steal this film. Pike has always been a class act; she is cold and mysterious here, never knowing her motives. She is one of those few actresses who use her eyes stunningly. Think Gone Girl, and you’ll understand what I mean.

Keoghan, on the other hand, gives a fearless performance as Oliver. After being so good in The Banshees of Inisherin, Keoghan is allowed to carry a film with tremendous aplomb. Oliver is as manipulating and clever as those who have taken him under their wing, and the whole time, you question his motives and how far his obsession with Felix will go. Yet Fennell gets him to do extraordinarily shocking and grotesque things, which he does with the same level of energy as his whole performance. This will undoubtedly put him among the most fearless actors around.

Saltburn is a fascinating piece of cinema. It’s not as strong as Promising Young Woman, but certainly holds its own. It will make you laugh, wince, and even make you feel sick, but it’s intelligent to keep you interested as to where it’s going and will leave you satisfied with the outcome. Flawed, yes, but still strong and well crafted.

4 out of 5

Director: Emerald Fennell

Starring: Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, Alison Oliver, Archie Madekwe, Paul Rhys, Carey Mulligan, Sadie Soverall

Written by: Emerald Fennell

Running Time: 127 mins

Cert: 15

Release date: 17th November 2023