Saltburn: Meet the Complete Cast of the Darkly Hilarious Film
Saltburn is one of the most talked-about films of the year, and for good reason. The film, which premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2023, and was released theatrically in the UK and the US on November 17, 2023, is a wickedly funny and twisted tale of obsession, class, and family.
Introduction:
Saltburn is a 2023 black comedy psychological thriller film written, directed, and co-produced by Emerald Fennell. The film stars Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, Alison Oliver, and Archie Madekwe. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Fennell, who also wrote and directed the acclaimed 2020 film Promising Young Woman.
The film follows Oliver Quick, a scholarship student at Oxford who becomes obsessed with Felix Catton, a wealthy and charismatic fellow student who invites him to spend the summer at his family’s country estate, Saltburn. There, Oliver meets Felix’s eccentric parents, sister, and cousin, who all have their own secrets and agendas. The film is a wickedly funny and twisted tale of obsession, class, and family.
The film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2023, and was released theatrically in the UK and the US on November 17, 2023. The film received generally positive reviews from critics and several accolades, including nominations for two Golden Globe Awards and five BAFTA Film Awards.
The film follows Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan), a scholarship student at Oxford who becomes infatuated with Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi), a wealthy and charismatic fellow student who invites him to spend the summer at his family’s country estate, Saltburn. There, Oliver meets Felix’s eccentric parents Sir James (Richard E. Grant) and Lady Elspeth (Rosamund Pike), his sister Venetia (Alison Oliver), and his American cousin Farleigh (Archie Madekwe), who all have their own secrets and agendas.
The film is based on the novel of the same name by Fennell, who also wrote and directed the acclaimed 2020 film Promising Young Woman. Fennell has assembled a stellar cast of actors, both established and rising, to bring her darkly hilarious vision to life.
SaltBurn Cast:
Here are some of the main cast members and where you might have seen them before.
Barry Keoghan as Oliver Quick:
He is best known for his roles in Dunkirk (2017), The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017), American Animals (2018), and The Green Knight (2021). He will also star in the upcoming Marvel film Eternals (2021) as Druig.
In Saltburn, Keoghan plays Oliver Quick, the protagonist and narrator of the film, who is a shy and awkward student from a troubled background. He becomes obsessed with Felix Catton, who he sees as his ticket to a better life. Keoghan delivers a nuanced and complex performance, balancing Oliver’s vulnerability, cunning, and desperation.
Jacob Elordi as Felix Catton:
Jacob Elordi is an Australian actor who rose to fame with his role as Noah Flynn in the Netflix teen rom-com series The Kissing Booth (2018-2021). He has also starred in the HBO drama series Euphoria (2019-present) as Nate Jacobs, and in the Netflix action comedy film The Babysitter: Killer Queen (2020) as Cole’s dad.
In Saltburn, Elordi plays Felix Catton, the object of Oliver’s obsession, who is a charming and popular student from a wealthy and aristocratic family. He befriends Oliver and invites him to his family’s estate, where he reveals a darker and more complicated side to his personality. Elordi showcases his range and charisma, playing Felix as both a seductive and a sinister character.
Rosamund Pike as Lady Elspeth Catton:
Rosamund Pike is an English actress who has been nominated for an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and a BAFTA for her role as Amy Dunne in the 2014 thriller Gone Girl. She has also starred in films such as Pride & Prejudice (2005), An Education (2009), Jack Reacher (2012), A Private War (2018), and I Care a Lot (2020).
In Saltburn, Pike plays Lady Elspeth Catton, the mother of Felix and Venetia, and the wife of Sir James. She is a beautiful and elegant woman who seems to have it all, but is secretly unhappy and bored with her life. She takes a liking to Oliver, who she sees as a potential ally and a source of amusement. Pike brings her trademark wit and sophistication, as well as a touch of malice, to the role.
Richard E. Grant as Sir James Catton:
Richard E. Grant is a British actor who has been nominated for an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and a BAFTA for his role as Jack Hock in the 2018 biopic Can You Ever Forgive Me?. He has also appeared in films such as Withnail and I (1987), Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992), Gosford Park (2001), Logan (2017), and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019).
In Saltburn, Grant plays Sir James Catton, the father of Felix and Venetia, and the husband of Lady Elspeth. He is a pompous and eccentric man who is obsessed with his family’s heritage and reputation. He welcomes Oliver to his home, but is oblivious to the chaos and drama that unfolds around him. Grant delivers a hilarious and memorable performance, playing Sir James as a clueless and comical character.
Alison Oliver as Venetia Catton:
Alison Oliver is a British actress who made her film debut in Saltburn, after graduating from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art in 2022. She was cast as Venetia Catton, the sister of Felix, who is a troubled and rebellious young woman. She suffers from an eating disorder and a drug addiction, and has a strained relationship with her family. She also develops a sexual attraction to Oliver, who uses her to get closer to Felix. Oliver gives a stunning and raw performance, playing Venetia as a sympathetic and tragic character.
Archie Madekwe as Farleigh Start:
Archie Madekwe is a British actor who has starred in the Amazon Prime Video fantasy series Carnival Row (2019-present) as Imogen Spurnrose, and in the Apple TV+ sci-fi series See (2019-present) as Kofun. He has also appeared in films such as Midsommar (2019), Voyagers (2021), and The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021).
In Saltburn, Madekwe plays Farleigh Start, the cousin of Felix, who is an American student at Oxford. He is a smart and cynical person who dislikes Oliver and his family, and suspects their ulterior motives. He tries to warn Felix and expose Oliver, but faces resistance and danger. Madekwe portrays Farleigh as a rational and loyal character, who is also a bit of a snob.
Conclusion:
The cast of Saltburn is one of the main strengths of the film, as they bring to life the complex and intriguing characters created by Emerald Fennell. The film features a mix of established and rising actors, who deliver captivating and nuanced performances. Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, Alison Oliver, and Archie Madekwe are some of the talented actors who make up the cast of Saltburn, a film that is sure to keep you entertained and on the edge of your seat.
Sarmad Rashid