Rewatching Saltburn in 2025 has resulted in a rather different perspective, and upon analysis, it’s actually a mess. Saltburn gripped movie audiences back in 2023, and it quickly became one of the most-watched movies ever.

Saltburn is one of Emerald Fennell’s best movies, but there are a few core problems that also apply to her other hit film, Promising Young Woman. The incredible Saltburn is still worth watching, but after revisiting it almost two years later, there are some glaring issues with its story.

Saltburn May Have Gone Viral, But Its Themes Are Messy

Saltburn relies on a lot of themes, but some are more apparent than others. Yes, the focus on class divide is the core theme throughout Saltburn, but Oliver’s motivation is so confusing at times that it makes you wonder who the “good guy” really is.

By the film’s climax, Oliver has gained the Cattons’ riches and property, thus slipping into the shoes of the people he’s actively been against the whole time. However, does this make him successful, or rather a hypocrite?

The main issue with Saltburn’s meaning and messaging is that, by the time the credits roll, the line between good and bad is blurred. The Catton family in Saltburn aren’t perfect, but it’s difficult to identify just what their antagonistic qualities are, and we’re left wondering whether Oliver is the hero, villain, neither, or both.

Saltburn teaches us that hoarding wealth can often result in the isolation of the lower classes, and this is demonstrated through Oliver’s story. He hasn’t had the same sort of life as many of his classmates at Oxford, which gives him a social disadvantage.

From Oliver’s perspective, the rich are able to do what they like and have essentially no restrictions or limitations. However, Oliver is no different, at least not by the end of the movie.

Saltburn Kind Of Falls Apart In The Third Act

The ending of Saltburn sees Oliver take control of the тιтular estate after removing Elspeth’s breathing tube. With Felix and Venetia already ᴅᴇᴀᴅ, and James pᴀssing shortly before Oliver reunites with Elspeth, there are no heirs left to inherit the Saltburn estate.

While Oliver’s distaste towards the rich is something many can relate to, there’s nothing about the Cattons that explains why Saltburn’s lead character targets them specifically. In fact, it’s hard to understand why Oliver enacts his plan at all.

Oliver lies about his upbringing, something Felix later discovers when he brings his friend to visit his family. Oliver’s relatives don’t appear to be uber wealthy like the Cattons, but they’re comfortable. Perhaps Oliver’s childhood had been traumatic or difficult, and we just don’t know about it, but it wouldn’t make sense for Saltburn to hold this information back.

After Felix discovers the truth about Oliver, Saltburn fails to provide us with any context as to why he’s cozying up to the Catton family. Before, it seems obvious that Oliver befriends Felix because he’s in awe of him, teetering on the border between jealousy and love.

But once it becomes clear that Oliver isn’t after the Cattons’ lifestyle because of a lack of money, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what his plan is. It’s even more confusing that Oliver returns to this plan years after Felix and Venetia’s demise.

It can be ᴀssumed Oliver keeps a close eye on Elspeth and James from afar in the years between these events, hence why he coincidentally bumps into Elspeth shortly after James’ death. But surely James’ suspicion of Oliver, especially as he is present for Felix and Venetia’s deaths, would be enough to raise somebody’s suspicions, even after his death?

The staff, especially Duncan, are wary of his return, yet the end of the movie implies Oliver inherits the Saltburn house and land with little pushback. Farleigh is also absent in the third act, and despite being banished by his uncle years previously, it’s odd that he doesn’t reappear during Elspeth’s final months.

The Characters In Saltburn Don’t Actually Feel Like Real People

It’s worth noting that the qualities of fictional characters, whether that’s in film, TV, or literature, are blown out of proportion for the sake of entertainment. The Saltburn characters are, of course, somewhat real, but real versions of these people would be far more layered and complex.

However, that’s the point. Saltburn makes these characters over the top on purpose, to really highlight the differences between them in their rose-tinted glᴀsses world and Oliver looking in. In fact, of all of them, Oliver is actually the most unrealistic character.

Between the lack of explanation of Oliver’s motivations, his unnecessary lies about his family, and his actions at the end of Saltburn, very little about the character makes sense. Oliver initially seems to be a Robin Hood-esque figure, but in reality, his decisions are only for his own gain.

Saltburn Relies On Its Shocks More Than Its Substance

Saltburn is undoubtedly a gripping watch, but upon revisiting it, it’s clear that the movie relies on shock factor over substance. The bath scene, for example, is unexpected and throws audiences off, but it doesn’t really do much story-wise.

The graveyard scene is another that lacks any proper substance. It’s astounding to watch Oliver grind against the unsettled ground of his friend’s final resting place, but it doesn’t give us any answers to anything. Ultimately, Saltburn’s grave and bath scenes are nothing more than notable, controversial moments.

These moments further demonstrate the levels of extremity that Oliver goes to in order to keep Felix close, and just how obsessed he is with the other man, but they don’t give us any context as to why he feels this way. The same can be said about Oliver’s brutal killing of Elspeth.

This scene would be a perfect opportunity for Saltburn to reveal more of Oliver’s intentions. He explains what his plan had been this whole time, but not why. Oliver’s relationship with Elspeth is strong throughout the film, so it’s a great twist when he removes the tube, but it’d be even better if we knew what his motivations were.

While it can be hard to suspend your disbelief for the sake of Saltburn’s plot holes and headscratchers, it doesn’t mean the film isn’t worth watching. Saltburn continues to be a тιтle renowned for its shock factor, but it’s important to note that the story is actually quite messy.