First Look: Emerald Fennell’s ‘Saltburn,’ Shot in 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio

Emerald Fennell’s “Saltburn” has been getting a lot of buzz ever since the incredible test reactions it garnered this past Spring.

A trailer for “Saltburn” will be released tomorrow, but before that happens we have a Vanity Fair exclusive with our first images of Fennell’s highly anticipated film.

Fennell, the director of “Promising Young Woman,” told Vanity Fair that she cast Keoghan in her sophomore film “Saltburn” after seeing 2017 film “The Killing of a Sacred Deer.”

I just thought, ‘That’s a once-in-a-lifetime performer. There’s no equivalent. He’s just so compelling. He’s got a kind of sex appeal and a vulnerability and a physical presence and a sort of darkness, or he can at least communicate these things in a way that is very rare.

The film was shot in unique 1.33:1 aspect ratio, with the side of Oscar-winning cinematographer Linus Sandgren (La La Land, First Man, Babylon).

“Saltburn,” which Fennell describes as “visceral and surprising and dark and sexy,” has Keoghan playing Oxford student Oliver, who becomes obsessed with wealthy classmate Felix (Jacob Elordi) and spends a summer at his family’s Saltburn estate. “The vacation soon descends into debased debauchery” that reflects “carnal desires,” as Fennell says.

Officially speaking, “Saltburn” will open the BFI London Film Festival and later have a limited release November 24 via Amazon. It’s also most likely going to show up at the Telluride Film Festival this coming weekend.

Fennell directed the Sundance sensation, “Promising Young Woman,” in 2020. She went on to win a Best Original Screenplay Oscar, but was also nominated for Best Picture and Best Director. Obviously, in many circles, her follow-up comes with high expectations.