Overview “Saltburn,” directed by Emerald Fennell, is a drama that explores themes of privilege, class distinctions, and the darker sides of elite social circles. The film features a variety of content that may be concerning for parents considering whether to allow their children to watch it.
Sex and Nudity
- A fully nude young man is depicted dancing and walking through an empty house, with full visibility of his bare chest, abdomen, genitals, buttocks, back, and legs.
- A scene shows a young man lying on freshly turned soil in a grave while crying; he removes his shirt and pants, exposing his bare chest, abdomen, genitals, and buttocks.
- There is a passionate kiss between a young couple where one character lifts the other’s skirt and performs oral sex. Blood is also depicted on the character’s face after this act.
Substance Use
- The film includes several scenes where young men and women are seen snorting cocaine at parties.
- Characters are shown drinking liquor in various settings including bars and parties. Specific instances include shots of liquor being consumed and champagne being poured.
- Smoking is prevalent throughout the movie; characters smoke cigarettes in multiple scenes including bars and dining areas.
Profanity
- The dialogue contains strong language with frequent use of profanity. Exclamations such as “God,” “Jesus Christ,” and other variations are used throughout the film.
Discussion Topics The film raises important discussion topics related to:
- Class distinctions within British elites
- The pressures faced by new students at exclusive universities like Oxford
- Themes of jealousy, competition, privilege, grief, family dynamics, addiction issues, eating disorders, and mental health challenges.
Given these elements, parents should consider the maturity level of their children when deciding if “Saltburn” is appropriate for viewing.
