Fennell's "Saltburn" Mesmerizes at LA Debut

“Saltburn”, the new movie from award-winning writer-director Emerald Fennell, made its Los Angeles debut at the Academy Museum earlier this week. Speaking in a post-screening Q&A, Fennell expressed that the film could have easily taken place in Hollywood despite its distinct British setting.

The film is Fennell’s next project following her Oscar-nominated Promising Young Woman, and it features an ensemble cast including Barry Keoghan as Oliver, an Oxford University student, and Jacob Elordi as Felix, a manor-born aristocrat that Oliver befriends. Other notable cast members include Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, Archie Madekwe, Alison Oliver, and Promising Young Woman’s Carey Mulligan in a guest role.

"Saltburn" sees the protagonist Oliver navigate the peculiarities and conventions of the British upper class during a visit to Felix’s family estate. Despite the cloistered opulence of his surroundings, Oliver’s outsider status becomes increasingly poignant.

Fennell pointed out the parallel between Oliver’s experience and the journey of many in Hollywood. Oliver’s struggle - the feeling of needing to fit in or be something more - is undoubtedly a reflection on how many in the film town may feel. The idea that he has worked tirelessly to gain entrance to prestigious Oxford, a place he believed would bring him the persona he craved, only to feel out of place, adds a relatable depth to his character.

A part of the film’s distinct flavor also lies in its portrayal of 2000s era British elite fashion. Fennell shared a particular anecdote where costume designer Sophie Canale suggested for Elordi's character to wear two polo shirts at once, a style trend at the time. Fennell humorously supports the idea, highlighting the importance of wardrobe to set the right tone for the film.

As to the film’s theme, Fennell mused that it could be considered a “vampire film,” given its focus on the outsider who desires to consume the idyllic lifestyle that has till then eluded him.

In a surprising twist, when praised for her script, Fennell chose not to comment due to the ongoing screenwriters' strike. Instead, she offered staunch support to the Writers Guild of America.

"Saltburn" is slated for a U.S. theatrical release on November 24.

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As we slide towards the end of our analysis, it's evident that Fennell’s “Saltburn” carries more intricacies than what can be summed up in a traditional plot synopsis.

Fennell’s comparison of Oliver’s plight to Hollywood hits quite close to home. Aren't we all, to some extent, trying to fit into the shiny drawn image of whatever we're told is the pinnacle of success?

While Oliver momentarily got lost trying to tie those double-knotted polo shirts or in the false allure of academic success, don’t we all? And isn’t that just as true here in Tinseltown?

The film's vampiric comparison is indeed a refreshing stroke of genius. Oliver's desperate attempts to immerse in a societal strata foreign to him, sucking in its essence is - for lack of a better phrase - drainingly relatable. The two-way vampirism that unfolds as the story progresses is enough to make any viewer feel like they're watching a moonlit, fanged saga of their own socio-economic aspirations.

And speaking of wardrobe, don't we have a soft corner for the tumultuous fashion crimes of the 2000s? Fennell’s decision to incorporate this element not only places the film in its time context, but also triggers our guilty nostalgia. To those who’ve weaponized layered polo shirts, this is your time to shine!

Fennell's deferral to the writer's strike sprinkles her speech with a dash of realism and respect. In a world where the show must go on, to intentionally pause and recognize the struggle of her fellow writers is a testament to Fennell’s integrity.

In “Saltburn”, expect to find more than just a tale of an outsider in a manor-born crowd. Get ready to sprinkle some laughter, a dash of recognition, a pinch of societal critique and a healthy dollop of nostalgia onto your popcorn as this British time capsule pops open on November 24. It might not turn you into a bloodsucker, but it'll surely make you thirst for more.