How to Fix Saltburn

It’s incredibly frustrating to watch a movie that looks so well directed and shot just to realise by the end of it that you’ve been given a TikTok bait

I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who after the movie ended went “this movie makes absolutely no sense.” Especially how easy it was for him to kill the entire family and no one questioned why this random guy inherited the house.

Thank you! “He’s crazy so he does whatever” ugh I’m amazed some people make excuses for blatantly weak writing

Skip Saltburn and watch The Talented Mr. Ripley instead.

I assumed it was bc he was obsessed with felix (him saying he didnt love him I took as an unreliable narrator type thing). And when felix turned him down he decided if he couldnt have him, no one else could. Then he decided to become felix. I never thought the house was his day 1 campaign

You've hit the nail on the head with how Oliver has two conflicting motivations. When I was watching the film, I thought that his motivation is about power and manipulation – he gets off on controlling and manipulating those around him, and when the people he's manipulating have power (ie in the form of money) he gets more of a thrill out of it. But this falls apart in the last quarter of the film where he goes on a murder spree and it's revealed that it was about the house all along. I really like the solution that you suggested of Farley discovering Oliver's lies and being killed for it works really well, and having Oliver struggle to kill off the rest of the family members would make the audience root for him more.

This is the BEST analysis ive seen! It's so frustrating that Emerald didn't pick one lane and stick in it.

I think it's a limerence thing - if you really envy what someone has you can simultaneously love/admire them (for having it) and also hate them (because you envy them) and the experience masquerades as that weird possessive kind of love where you can't tell if you want to date them or be them. That's what I got from it at least.

It's so easy to be distracted by the film because it's got a lot going for it and it's very entertaining. However, I remember watching it for the first time and being like, "That made no sense." I loved your takes sm 🙏🏾

Damn, that typo example was killer. Keep up the great analysis and the creative bits!

Spot on. I couldn't figure out exactly why I didn't like the movie. This articulates the issues very well. And I liked the creative plot alternatives.

I feel like as soon as they didnt show us the "phone call" where his mom tells him his "dad is dead" i knew it wasnt true

It's all style, no substance, no original ideas and it tried to use shock value to move the story forward, except it wasn't shocking cause there was no build-up and everything just felt random. I fully agree with your "Kill your Darlings" ! I found the lack of motivation and logic to the story a big bore. There's plenty of analysis on how it's a rip off but even the grave scene was done much better in Shameless (at least it made more sense and it was funny in that context). I agree with your analysis, but I don't think it could be easily fixed, it was a bunch of unoriginality packaged to appeal visually to audiences. I did like Rosamund Pike, she was so good in her role and the only funny character.

As with your Cillian Murphy, Emma Stone, and "Past Lives" deep-dives, this is an exceptionally insightful analysis. Thank you.

i usually am sort of “eh” about rewrites but im in LOVE with your alternate story and SO MAD i cant watch it

The bones are missing in this movie. It’s an empty hole filled with pretty skin and some period blood.

5:39 so far i think you are missing what i understood, which was, he loves him in a way that he wants to be him. but i am interested to see where your analyses goes as always!

A fellow Irishman who understands me ! Film is still excellently produced, shot, acted, edited, scored etc.

This is the one I've been waiting for, I need your perspective on this.

The Talented Mr Ripley is a better version of the same movie