Saltburn (2023) — Riley Cross Reviews

Director: Emerald Fennell | Genre: Thriller / Dark Comedy | Mood: Tense

Look, I’ve rung up enough sappy romance tapes at Blockbuster over the years to know exactly what you’re looking for when you pick a movie for a "Night In." You don't want babysitters. You don't want to engage in awkward small talk with a barista who asks how your day is going. You want a trip. You want something that grips you by the throat and doesn't let go until the credits roll. That’s exactly what Saltburn delivers from director Emerald Fennell. It’s a masterclass in tension that shifts into dark comedy in a way that feels wrong but delicious.

You’re following Oliver (Barry Keoghan), a broke scholarship student from Liverpool who latches onto his Oxford neighbor, Felix (Jacob Elordi), like a barnacle, crashing his way into the highest circles of British society. It’s class warfare disguised as friendship, and trust me—it gets weird. I remember watching this with the lights off in the back office when we were supposed to be restocking the walls, and I came out of it feeling like I had just been through a fever dream. You’re not watching it for the plot twists; you’re watching it for the vibe. The way the house in Saltburn looks like something possessed. There’s a specific moment where Oliver is treating Felix’s sister like a fragile bird—you know the one—and it’s so unhinged. If you like your entertainment to feel a little predatory, you’ll be all over this.

This is the perfect movie for when you’ve cooked dinner, you’ve opened a bottle of wine (or cheap soda), and you’ve decided you hate the world just a little bit, but you’re too cozy in your pajamas to actually go outside and confront it. It’s an isolation trip that makes you feel involved rather than lonely.

Bottom line: An opulent, twisted nightmare that balances repulsion and arousal with terrifying perfection.