WISE Score
Avg. Tomatometer
A sweaty, gorgeous, and deeply unhinged thriller about a social climber who takes 'eat the rich' way too literally.
772%
61
Saltburn is the definition of 'not for everyone.' It’s a beautifully shot, expertly acted descent into madness that is also purposefully disgusting.
It’s not a movie you watch with your parents—or your kids. It’s a movie you watch when you want to feel a bit uncomfortable and see some of the boldest filmmaking of the decade. It’s high-art trash in the best way possible, but keep it far away from the Saturday night family rotation.
This is strictly for adults and maybe the most mature of older teens. If your kid hasn't hit 17 yet, this is going to be a very awkward and potentially scarring family movie night.
This is a story about a social parasite. It thrives on deception, obsession, and the slow-motion destruction of a family. Not a drop of kindness or cooperation to be found here.
The visual style is stunning. Emerald Fennell creates a lush, claustrophobic world that feels like a fever dream. It’s bold, weird, and looks unlike anything else.
Extreme sexual content, graphic nudity, and scenes involving bodily fluids that are designed to shock. It is the opposite of a 'safe' family watch.
As a satire of class and the hollow nature of the aristocracy, it's sharp. It provokes deep thought about envy and performative wealth, even if it's wrapped in a gross-out thriller.
Saltburn is a mood board that eventually curdles into a nightmare. It captures a very specific mid-2000s Oxford aesthetic—think messy hair, slightly wrinkled tuxedos, and a soundtrack that makes anyone who lived through 2006 feel ancient. For the first hour, it plays like a lush, sun-drenched drama about a scholarship kid trying to fit in with the aristocracy. It’s beautiful, it’s sweaty, and it’s deeply seductive.
But the movie isn't interested in staying a pretty period piece. It’s an update of the "social climber" trope we've seen in things like The Talented Mr. Ripley, but with the volume turned up to an uncomfortable level. Critics were famously split on whether the satire actually has teeth, with some calling it "toothless" and others finding it "wickedly mean." Whether you think it’s a brilliant critique of the upper class or just "high-art trash," you can't deny that it’s one of the most visually spectacular films in recent memory.
The main reason this movie exploded on social media isn't just the shock factor—it’s the casting. This film marks a massive turning point for its two leads. Jacob Elordi plays the charming, aristocratic Felix with a golden-boy energy that makes it easy to see why someone would become obsessed with him. It’s a key performance to understand as he transitions from teen heartthrob to a more R-rated powerhouse actor.
Then there’s Barry Keoghan. He has basically cornered the market on playing "weird" characters who are simultaneously vulnerable and terrifying. If your teen is plugged into TikTok’s "weird celebrity" culture, they are already familiar with Keoghan’s performance here. He carries the movie’s most visceral scenes—the ones people are still talking about years later—with a commitment that is honestly exhausting to watch.
You’ve probably heard about the bathtub or the grave. Yes, they are as graphic and "impossible to unsee" as the rumors suggest. However, the real friction in Saltburn isn't just the bodily fluids; it’s the total lack of a moral center. There are no "good guys" here. The wealthy family is shallow and cruel, and the protagonist is a predator.
If you are looking for a movie with a clear lesson or a redemptive arc, this is not it. It’s a film about obsession and the lengths people will go to own something they can never truly belong to. It’s a solid pick for a "Top 25" list of movies for mature teens who are interested in cinematography or dark psychological thrillers, but it’s a "preview first" situation for everyone else. This isn't a casual Friday night watch; it’s a conversation piece that will leave you wanting to take a long, cold shower.
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