First look at Jacob Elordi and Barry Keoghan’s thriller Saltburn promises debauchery (2024)

FAQs

What is plot twist in Saltburn? ›

But toward the end of the film, Felix realizes Oliver was lying all along. Once Felix learns the truth on the day of Oliver's birthday party at Saltburn, he feels betrayed and asks Oliver to leave after the event.

Troubled by his classmate's unfortunate living situation, wealthy Oxford student Felix invites Oliver to stay at his estate, but a series of horrifying events soon engulf his eccentric family.

Saltburn / Film synopsis

Summary. Duncan's fate is left unresolved in Saltburn's ending, but the screenplay reveals his presence as the butler at the estate still poses a potential threat to Oliver.

The true meaning of Saltburn lies within its exploration of desire in some of its rawest forms and how destructive it can be, especially as it starts to entangle itself with pure obsession.

The BBC breathlessly reports that Saltburn is “filled with an abdundance of viral scenes” (there is another scene of Oliver performing oral sex on Felix's sister while she is menstruating, one of Oliver sexually threatening Felix's friend and of Oliver having sex with Felix's grave…).

Rated R for strong sexual content, graphic nudity, language throughout, some disturbing violent content, and drug use.

With scenes of graphic sexual encounters as well as disturbing forms of manipulation and coercion, this can be too much for some viewers. Not only can the material be hard to watch but there are also long, graphic displays of nudity. However, the content's uncomfortable nature makes “Saltburn” the movie it is.

The idea is that although the Catton family is wealthy, they are not to be admired, as they have their troubles and may be victims of manipulation or at least a series of unfortunate events. There is this push to say that everyone, regardless of background, can be capable of dark things and that envy is dangerous.

Released Nov. of 2023, “Saltburn” quickly rose in popularity due to its unsettling, weird and really messed up cinematic themes done in such an aesthetically interesting way, and its ability to write such complex characters is especially exciting to see put to film.

What happened to Duncan in Saltburn? Saltburn's menacing Butler, Duncan (Paul Rhys), is shown to be still working at the estate at the end of the film. While he can't be pleased by the demise of his long-standing employers, this isn't really explored.

Who is the villain in Saltburn? ›

Oliver doesn't want to be pitied, but reluctantly, he accepts. The fun of Saltburn, or at least whatever fun it has to offer, lies in not knowing who the villains are. Farleigh, also spending the summer at Saltburn, is the most obvious antagonist; he wields his haughtiness like a clanking sword.

The next morning, Felix is found dead at the centre of the maze. After the funeral and a really disturbing scene where Oliver has sex with Felix's muddy grave (and we mean that literally), the Catton family enjoy a post-mortem shepherd's pie as they try to eat up their emotions.

Scenes that were spotlighted on social media, particularly the infamous bathtub and graveyard scenes, were vehemently critiqued. This growing controversy around “Saltburn” on platforms like TikTok overshadowed the true impact of these moments, leading to an underwhelming experience for many viewers of the movie.

Saltburn explores themes of duality and deception, with doppelgängers and reflections symbolizing the different sides of the characters.

Definition of Term

salt burn. (English) A condition arising when fine salt coagulates proteins near the surface of a fish being prepared and prevents any further penetration of salt into the flesh.

A plot twist is a literary technique that introduces a radical change in the direction or expected outcome of the plot in a work of fiction. When it happens near the end of a story, it is known as a twist ending or surprise ending.

Drawing inspiration from A Clockwork Orange, The Talented Mr. Ripley, and late-stage capitalism, Saltburn is a dark comedy about a debauched young man obsessed with wealth and excess who is willing to do anything to get it.

The film flashes to a few years later where Felix has a chance encounter with Elspeth at a small coffee shop; it's revealed through newspaper clippings that Sir James has died from an illness. Elspeth invites Oliver back to Saltburn, as she has no one left.

What Really Happened To Farleigh In Saltburn - IMDb. Warning: Contains Spoilers for Saltburn! Farleigh is cut off by the Catton family and sent back to America after Oliver frames him for Felix's death in Saltburn.