There are filmmakers whose style simply doesn't resonate, and after seeing two films now, I can say that applies to writer-director Emerald Fennell. I wasn’t particularly impressed by “Promising Young Woman” in 2020, and my feelings are even stronger regarding her new movie, “Saltburn.” This supposed thriller centers on a seemingly shy but quietly menacing Oxford student (Barry Keoghan) who worms his way into the lives of an affluent English aristocratic family. The story and characters simply didn’t grab me. It's reminiscent of "The Killing of a Sacred Deer" from 2017, only with a group of wealthy socialites and someone pretending to be harmless. The film presents a collection of truly awful people living awful lives and holding onto terrible beliefs, which makes it impossible to feel any sympathy or connection as viewers. A lot of what happens is foreseeable and unfolds at an agonizingly slow pace, including scenes that seem included only for cheap thrills. The characters are one-dimensional and their development is obvious—almost cliché—and the attempts at humor often feel forced and inserted just to provide some comic relief when it’s needed. It's the kind of movie that makes you glance at your watch frequently, wondering how much longer it will go on, and brings a sense of relief when it finally ends. Considering all the talent involved in this production, it’s disappointing to see actors like Rosamund Pike, Carey Mulligan, and Richard E. Grant stuck in smaller roles where their skills aren't fully utilized. Keoghan’s performance is also over-the-top; he seems very aware that he's acting rather than becoming the character. Overall, it feels like a movie pushing to see how far it can go, especially when trying to elicit shock from the audience, much like Fennell’s previous film did. Don’t spend your money or time on this overhyped release from an overrated filmmaker.

Source on TMDB