Emerald Fennell’s ‘Saltburn’ Said to Be Major Showcase For Barry Keoghan: “He Will Shock You”

Just to elaborate further on “Saltburn,” Emerald Fennell’s upcoming thriller starring Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi and Rosamund Pike. If you remember, last week, I mentioned that it test-screened in Culver City, California and that reactions had been wildly positive.

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, her follow-up comes with high expectations.

Those expectations seem to have been met. Barry Keoghan carries the movie and is said to be flat-out great. The movie fully showcases his insane commitment as an actor. “He will shock you,” says a person who attended the screening.

Everyone else is supporting, including Rosamund Pike. Carey Mulligan only has a few scenes, but makes a very strong impact with the limited time that she does have. Pike is said to have the best lines.

The film, which is set in the early aughts, is being described as a Thriller/Drama. A significant amount of the plot takes place in college. The movie starts off as the school year is beginning during the late summer.

Initially set in the college town of Saltburn, that’s where we’re introduced to parents and other characters in the film. “Saltburn” is said to revolve around Keoghan’s obsession with Elordi’s character:

“I don’t know how audiences will embrace this because there’s a lot of nudity and explicit scenes that will get them talking […] I hope these scenes don’t undermine other aspects of the film. In my opinion this movie is drastically better than “Promising Young Woman,” so if that got nominated for best picture, best editing, best screenplay, it would be a shame if this didn’t. However, Emerald is 2/2 for controversial endings. Not everyone will be happy, I fear.”

Also, much like in “Promising Young Woman,” the cinematography and visuals “are so good you can eat it”. The film has similar vibes to “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” according to a person I spoke to.

Keoghan already has an Oscar nomination to his name. He’s up for Best Supporting Actor (“The Banshees of Inisherin”) this year. I’ve been waiting for his breakthrough lead role, this might be it. He’s already showed great promise in ‘Banshees,’ “American Animals,” and “The Killing of a Sacred Deer.”