I finally got a chance to see the film everyone is freaking out over. It would be remiss of me not to add my thoughts on the matter. Of course everyone is always just dying to know what I think.

I liked it. I enjoyed the weirdness. The attempt at class commentary was interesting, if shy of the target. I thought the cast turned in excellent performances. It is certainly worth a watch.

Now let’s get contrary. I’m at odds with most of the big talking points. Perhaps I’ve misinterpreted, but here are my thoughts.

The Bath Scene

I’m not even sure what I expected, from the furore, much more than I got. The way people have been talking, I anticipated a moral outrage. In actuality, it’s just pretty gross. Obviously there was the ‘oh my god, someone’s going to catch him’ cringe. It was the tongue near the plug hole that made me feel boaky. The rest wasn’t my idea of sexy, but hey, who hasn’t had some sort of a salty experience?

While we’re on the going nuts about sex topic; period sex is not a big deal.

Class War

I’ve seen a few takes on this. It was an attack on the upper classes, or the middle classes or social mobility in general. After a little thought I think perhaps it was meant as a critique of the privilege & absurdity of the landed gentry. Unfortunately it missed the mark because it was written by one of the ranks. The treatment of the scholarship students is suitably vile. As is the vying & back stabbing between the Saltburn residents. However when you compare the characters of Felix & Oliver you are directed to have less empathy for the plucky everyman. Instead you’re given the impression that perhaps Felix & Co are correct to guard against interlopers. Intentional or not, the last scene gives at last I’m one of them more than eat the rich.

The Confusion

I am constantly finding commentary on how confusing the film is. I even saw a review that described feeling as though they had fallen asleep and missed vital action. I do not comprehend what people didn’t comprehend. It gets really weird, but it remains clear.

Murder in the Dancefloor

Great song. Great body. Great ending. Why is everyone flipping out? Judging by tik tok discourse I thought I was in for Mark Wahlberg in Boogie Nights moment. Call me crass, all I saw was a standard big dick. Am I crazy, what is everyone losing their minds over?

In summation if you haven’t seen it, do. Don’t expect any earth shattering meaning. Just enjoy the freaky thriller.

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