Saltburn

Sophie Ellis-Bextor and The Cheeky Girls mixing it on a soundtrack with Handel might sound an 'off' concoction but aptly serves to somewhat describe the eclecticism of Saltburn, the new film from Emerald Fennell.

Following the astonishing Promising Young Woman is no easy task and this is a wildly different film, a takedown of class set in 2006 at Oxford University.

Straight up, whilst it largely delivers its message efficiently this is not as thought-provoking or hard-hitting as that incredible debut but nor was it ever likely to be.

Instead, this is a sure-to-be cult classic style-and-substance thriller with an equal mix of iconic and disturbing moments, hitting the mark in the same way as its spiritual forebears Skins, Spring Breakers and Euphoria as a generational beacon.

It really does have that feeling, boasting enough laugh-out-loud putdowns, but also shocking revelations, to give this proper, word-of-mouth excitement.

To say too much more would spoil the fun albeit its ‘twist’ is a little predictable (although that’s possibly the point) and it should be cherished for the arthouse self-importance it possesses.

Dark humour, thrills, nostalgia and a stacked cast combine in a film that certainly won’t be to all tastes but will be a heady concoction for those drawn into its devilish delights.

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