Saltburn is a tangled web of opposing narratives and beautiful imagery. It doesn’t end up at all where you are expecting it to.
The film centres around Oxford University student and social outcast, Oliver (Barry Keoghan) who is befriended by popular, charismatic and aristocratic peer, Felix (Jacob Elordi). The two grow close over a term and, concerned for his friend’s living situation, Felix offers Oliver a place at his estate for the summer. After meeting his eccentric family, a series of disturbing events unfold.
So, the question stands: why exactly did Saltburn gain the attention of TikTok? Here’s a summary of the most tantalising and jaw-dropping moments that earned the film its place in the TikTok Hall of Fame.
1. The actors are “heartthrobs”
Starting with the obvious and slightly shallow perspective: Jacob Elordi and Barry Keoghan tied in first place as the internet’s ‘boyfriend of the month’ According to TikTok users, the two had fans in a “metaphorical chokehold”.
Oliver is written as the kind of character you wouldn’t look at twice. This didn’t stop viewers jumping on the Barry Keoghan bandwagon. It’s very evident through TikTok that Gen Z viewers love the rugged, nerdy and awkward archetype.
Euphoria actor, Jacob Elordi, has been the centre of much internet love and affection since he first played Nate Jacobs in 2019. Both actors began to be heavily featured on TikTok, where fans of the film created edits. Elordi even took to the Saturday Night Live stage, joking that “you might know me from Saltburn, not from seeing the film, just from seeing the TikToks.”
The sheer scale of edits and fans expressing adoration was enough to even draw the actors’ attention.
2. The beautiful cinematography
Saltburn is a cornucopia of stunning shots and is extremely visually appealing.
Red is a motif throughout, symbolising, according to TikTok fans, “personal hells”. The first example is during Oliver’s birthday party when the hundreds of guests are singing him Happy Birthday – the room is shrouded in red. Something similar happens during the breakfast scene after a death in the family.
Director Emerald Fennel addressed the reason Saltburn was shot in a 4:3 aspect ratio in an interview with Vanity Fair, stating that she intended for viewers’ experience “to give the impression of spying on events that wouldn’t otherwise be witnessed”.
There are even smaller details, such as the scene where Felix’s sister, Venetia is lying on the dock; a reference to “Ophelia”, painted by Sir John Everett Millais.
3. The music!
Once again, TikTok adopted the film’s nuances and intricacies as its own, sending Sophie Ellis Bextor’s 2001 follow-up lead single Murder on the Dancefloor into a second wave of success. The song was featured on Saltburn’s soundtrack and plays during the film’s finale. As of January 2024, the song has more than 90 million views and has been used in over 400,000 videos across TikTok, a 444% increase compared to the week before. It surged “Murder on the Dancefloor” back into the 2024 Official Charts for the first time in 22 years.
TikTok users fixated on another part of the Saltburn soundtrack. Track 15, The Maze, is a blood-curdling and chilling score that became one of the most famous pieces of music from the film. Released by Milan Records, the score is composed by Anthony Willis, and is performed by the London Contemporary Orchestra.
4. The foreshadowing (you can watch it multiple times)
The wonderful thing about Saltburn is how rewatchable it is! Upon a second or third viewing, more comes to light. It is a cacophony of elements you can’t notice without knowing the entire storyline.
One of the most popular theories has to do with Oliver’s shadows and reflections.
Oliver is frequently placed adjacent to mirrors or objects that reflect his silhouette; which show him as a horned figure. He hides his ulterior motives which come to fruition the night of his themed birthday party. He wears antlers which look like devil horns. Felix wore Icarus-like wings, which foreshadow tragedy.
At the beginning of the film, Venetia, tells the story of Percy Shelley’s doppelgänger at breakfast, stating that “Shelley’s housekeeper was cleaning one of the rooms when Shelley walked past the window and waved at her… (then) she realised Shelley was in Italy… A few hours later he drowned.” As she speaks, Felix’s own doppelgänger is seen walking past the window behind her, even wearing a similar shirt.
5. The cast!
Elordi and Keoghan both starred in recent projects that saw much fame (Euphoria and Eternals, respectively). The film also features Rosamund Pike, known across TikTok for her role as Amy Dunne in the film, Gone Girl.
The Saltburn cast also stars Richard E. Grant, Alison Oliver, Archie Madekwe and Carey Mulligan. Featuring such a notable and well-rounded cast pushed Saltburn into an even bigger cult following.
6. THOSE scenes…
Finally, THOSE scenes. TikTok was overrun by videos and photo compilations of the most jaw-dropping scenes in the film. One really has to watch the film to experience the disturbing, depraved and gut-wrenching elements. If this article didn’t solidify your curiosity, we aren’t sure what will!