Here’s why you need to watch Saltburn

Last weekend, I went on a solo trip to the cinema. It was a kind of spur of the moment, why not?, decision.

Let me start by saying: if you’re going to watch one film this year, make sure it’s

Saltburn. This sets you up for my feelings for this blog. Now, my spoiler-free verdict…

It takes a lot for me to want to watch a new film, especially for something described as a black comedy psychological thriller. (I’m a woman whose favourite film is Shrek… no kidding.)

If you’re anything like me and crave all the feels of growing up in the noughties, this film may just be up your street. Think everything that brings nostalgia, before phones, when everything seemed simpler and the world was a nicer place. Garishly hot summers. Meadows. Knee-high straw-like grass. *That* birdsong. Everyone reading the final Harry Potter book. Knocking for your friends at the end of your street or heading out on your bikes for hours on end…

You may be asking yourself, ‘Should I watch Saltburn?’

My answer: yes. I am telling you, YES.

(Grandma, no, not you. Definitely not you, you’ll thank me.)

Set at Oxford University, it follows Merseyside-born Oliver, a lonely, smart twerp who manages to befriend popular – and very good-looking, student Felix after lending him his bike to get to class on time after getting a puncture. From there, their friendship blooms as Oliver reveals more of himself to Felix.

Director Emerald Fennell gets everything right in this film for me, from producing to directing and writing the whole thing, not forgetting its stellar cast. Usually, the sign of a good film for me is when I continue to listen to the movie score after – which I am currently doing whilst writing this, specifically ‘Felix Amica’.

Saltburn is artsy, but not in a pretentious way. Following on from Oxford uni, Felix invites Oliver to stay with him for the summer at his family’s ‘house’: the phenomenal country estate of Saltburn (filmed at Drayton House, Northamptonshire, where no one has filmed before and most likely won’t again!).

This is a film full of class, wit, humour, darkness, skin-chilling-thriller moments and some serious f*cked up moments. It’s a compelling watch with an exquisite cast and acting, featuring Barry Keoghan, Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant and Carey Mulligan.

It’s even filmed on an old style camera to make it feel like you’ve been transported back to the noughties.

Quite simply, I want to watch it again.

4 key scenes that I will not forget – for the wrong reasons:

• Bench at moonlight with Venetia
• Bath scene
• Oliver and ‘the soil’
• The very end (lol), my foot was bopping

I’m raving about something no one asked me to talk about (like a lot of things, boo hoo), so take this as your sign to watch Saltburn.

I was in no way sponsored to paid to share this news. Quite simply, I really enjoyed the film and would like to see more people feel the same. Plus, it’s going to be on Amazon Prime at the end of the year, so I’m ready to get another fix all over again!