"Saltburn" on Amazon

[nuxvomica]

Oliver Quick, an earnest Oxford-scholarship boy at his first term is befriended by a charismatic wealthy student, leading to a memorable summer at Saltburn, the posh fellow's gigantic family estate. What starts out as a wickedly funny commentary on the craziness of England's elite evolves half-way through into a stylish thriller reminiscent of The Talented Mr. Ripley.

The shift is a little jarring, beginning with Oliver ordering an egg over-easy, but the movie holds your attention with sumptuous imagery, a brilliant cast -- including Rosamund Pike, Carey Mulligan, and Richard E. Grant -- and the mesmerizing performance of Barry Keoghan, the scene-stealer from The Banshees of Inisherin. Keoghan's face seems endlessly malleable, and his acting is carefully nuanced yet disturbingly fearless. If you like great acting, and don't mind a lot of cringing, or plot holes you could drive a lorry through, Saltburn is recommended.

[LonePirate]

1. I watched this in a movie theater a couple of weeks ago. It's not a family film by any means.

I enjoyed the film due to Keoghan’s performance even though the film certainly tries its best to make the audience uncomfortable. The turn of events once Oliver’s birthday arrives is something to behold if you’re a cinephile.

[rogerballard]

2. I was very excited to see this movie...

I like weird, disturbing and cringeworthy and this movie did not disappoint. Great cast and acting I agree. Writer/Director Emerald Fennell also made "Promising Young Woman" that was great as well.

[Ocelot II]

3. Strange but well-done film.

I enjoyed it - excellent acting, twisty plot, black humor.

[Mz Pip]

4. It had me cringing in places

but I couldn’t stop watching. Oliver sure played the long game well. I do wonder who he was narrating his tale to.

[Tree-Hugger]

5. Interesting way to clean drains

😏

I just watched it this morning and loved it. Very quirky, but well done and entertaining. I'm going to rewatch it very soon. Also, I adore Richard E. Grant and thought he was perfect as Sir James.

[intrepidity]

6. Keoghan seems destined for typecasting

Not sure what it is about him, but so far every film I've seen him in he plays the same way. Maybe it is just who he is? Maybe a limited actor? He definitely has talent (who suspected he could dance so well?!) for playing enigmatic creepy guys though. I wonder how much has to do with his accent--I noticed a fairly strong Irish accent in an interview, and felt he would do better if he used that, rather than trying to suppress it, such as in that weird film with Ferrell (The Killing of a Sacred Deer). I adore all UK and Australian/Kiwi accents, and it's a major pet peeve I have when those actors have roles where they must have an American accent--it literally ruins the role for me, and imho it affects their acting ability. I can usually tell when this is the case, even when I have never seen the actor before. Ferrell is an example of one I would *always* want to hear his natural speech, although he manages to pull off not using it. Others just feel "uncanny valley" I guess might be the best way to describe it: something feels off. Keoghan is like that for me.

Time will tell whether he can break out from the mold. I think he'll continue to be the go-to for creepy guy.

[bif]

7. Well done, but I didn't care for it.

"Talented Mr. Ripley" anyone?