How to Fix Saltburn

This video essay reviews Saltburn (Amazon MGM Studios) and criticises how the ending could have been more effective with a detailed character backstory, a clear strategy, developed relationships and a cemented theme. Saltburn was written and directed by Emerald Fennell, and stars Barry Keoghan and Jacob Elordi.

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Music used:
W. A. Mozart, Symphony No.38 in D major by A Far Cry (YouTube Audio Library)
Wolf Moon by Unicorn Heads (YouTube Audio Library)
Blue Dream by Cheel (YouTube Audio Library)
RhythmOrganyzer by Noir Et Blanc Vie (YouTube Audio Library)
Blue Danube by Strauss (YouTube Audio Library)
Members Only by Tracktribe (YouTube Audio Library)
Symphony No 5 by Beethoven (YouTube Audio Library)
BeeyornandRaysd by Noir Et Blanc Vie (YouTube Audio Library)

Timestamps
0:00 Saltburn Review
1:42 Kill Your Darlings
8:00 Backstory
11:00 Oliver's Strategy
12:42 Other Alternatives
13:56 Developing Relationships
14:48 Theme

#saltburn #jacobelordi #barrykeoghan

[victoriamovchan]

It’s incredibly frustrating to watch a movie that looks so well directed and shot just to realise by the end of it that you’ve been given a TikTok bait

[vicdaman]

I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who after the movie ended went “this movie makes absolutely no sense.” Especially how easy it was for him to kill the entire family and no one questioned why this random guy inherited the house.

[tedtawk]

Thank you! “He’s crazy so he does whatever” ugh I’m amazed some people make excuses for blatantly weak writing

[Dauerglotzer]

I assumed it was bc he was obsessed with felix (him saying he didnt love him I took as an unreliable narrator type thing). And when felix turned him down he decided if he couldnt have him, no one else could. Then he decided to become felix. I never thought the house was his day 1 campaign

[pooscifer]

I think it's a limerence thing - if you really envy what someone has you can simultaneously love/admire them (for having it) and also hate them (because you envy them) and the experience masquerades as that weird possessive kind of love where you can't tell if you want to date them or be them. That's what I got from it at least.

[wanderinglizzy]

You've hit the nail on the head with how Oliver has two conflicting motivations. When I was watching the film, I thought that his motivation is about power and manipulation – he gets off on controlling and manipulating those around him, and when the people he's manipulating have power (ie in the form of money) he gets more of a thrill out of it. But this falls apart in the last quarter of the film where he goes on a murder spree and it's revealed that it was about the house all along. I really like the solution that you suggested of Farley discovering Oliver's lies and being killed for it works really well, and having Oliver struggle to kill off the rest of the family members would make the audience root for him more.

[paulinaispunk]

This is the BEST analysis ive seen! It's so frustrating that Emerald didn't pick one lane and stick in it.

[gigglegirl]

It's so easy to be distracted by the film because it's got a lot going for it and it's very entertaining. However, I remember watching it for the first time and being like, "That made no sense." I loved your takes sm 🙏🏾

[zqxzqxzqx]

Skip Saltburn and watch The Talented Mr. Ripley instead.

[FallingSport]

Damn, that typo example was killer. Keep up the great analysis and the creative bits!

[HamletWithLions]

There’s a lot that this video points out that I agree with (the mother relationship being weak, the ending being rushed and unbelievable, and that Felix not telling the family about the backstory). But I disagree with the idea that this is an “eat the rich” story. There are elements of “rich people bad”, yes, but Oliver wants to be a part of this world.

I believe that this is a movie about obsession. This is about a lonely, average person thinking he deserves more than his average life. I didn’t need a deep backstory beyond the visit home to click that into place. I got the impression that Oliver was severely unbalanced and his rage comes from his normal life, and instead wanting to be special. Being in the light that Felix naturally exudes.

To me, Oliver is more like Jeffery Dahmer killing and eating his victims because he was lonely and thought that eating them would bring them closer.

[romijane]

It's all style, no substance, no original ideas and it tried to use shock value to move the story forward, except it wasn't shocking cause there was no build-up and everything just felt random. I fully agree with your "Kill your Darlings" ! I found the lack of motivation and logic to the story a big bore. There's plenty of analysis on how it's a rip off but even the grave scene was done much better in Shameless (at least it made more sense and it was funny in that context). I agree with your analysis, but I don't think it could be easily fixed, it was a bunch of unoriginality packaged to appeal visually to audiences. I did like Rosamund Pike, she was so good in her role and the only funny character.

[AnnabellaInMyMind]

I feel like as soon as they didnt show us the "phone call" where his mom tells him his "dad is dead" i knew it wasnt true

[nonbinarymess]

i usually am sort of “eh” about rewrites but im in LOVE with your alternate story and SO MAD i cant watch it

[comfortm]

the funniest thing about the saltburn script is that everyone has better ideas than what fennell ended up writing.

[DavidN]

As with your Cillian Murphy, Emma Stone, and "Past Lives" deep-dives, this is an exceptionally insightful analysis. Thank you.

[stratford]

THANK YOU for this video. Not because I hated the movie, I’m ambivalent towards it, but because these are some really useful writing tips for aspects of plot design I’ve struggled with.

[mlwz]

This is the one I've been waiting for, I need your perspective on this.

[jamesrella]

The bones are missing in this movie. It’s an empty hole filled with pretty skin and some period blood.

[schylerlanders]

The first watch I had all the same feelings as you. The second watch I’ve came to terms with this movie being a masterpiece. This movie is definitely made for a 2nd watch after you find out about the plot twist.