In 2006, Oliver, initially a reserved social outsider at Oxford, encounters Felix, sparking an infatuation.
A simple bike loan evolves into Oliver’s relentless quest for Felix’s attention, ultimately granting him entry into Felix’s social circle.
As summer approaches, Oliver secures an invitation to Felix’s home in Saltburn, concealing the truth about his family and economic background until now.
Why does he do that?
In Saltburn, Oliver said he came from a poor, broken, and troubled family. Oliver even orchestrated a phone call where he faked his father’s death due to an overdose. It was because he yearned to go beyond the confines of his regular middle-class lifestyle. The only way to do that was to get close to Felix. He succeeds as well. Oliver becomes the lord of Saltburn after disposing of Felix and his wealthy family.
Explained: Why Did Oliver Lie About His Background?
Oliver’s journey begins with deception, as he paints a vivid but entirely fictitious picture of his family. In his quest to get close to Felix, he carefully constructs a narrative suggesting that he hails from a broken and troubled family.
He spins tales of familial turmoil, using the issues to create a bond with Felix. To solidify his façade, Oliver takes a drastic step, orchestrating a phone call from his supposed mother.
In this heartbreaking charade, he delivers the shocking news of his father’s alleged overdose death. This tragic lie forms the foundation for a series of events that will change the course of Oliver and Felix’s lives.
As Felix becomes more ensnared in Oliver’s world, driven by a sense of responsibility for his friend’s well-being, he invites Oliver to Saltburn.
Over the months spent in Saltburn, Oliver’s connection with Felix deepens, but his behavior grows increasingly erratic.
Felix and his family plan a birthday celebration for Oliver, complete with a surprise trip to his supposed hometown of Preston.
However, it is during this trip that the truth about Oliver’s upbringing is unveiled. Instead of a dysfunctional family marked by tragedy, Oliver emerges from a run-of-the-mill suburban background with parents who defy the stereotypes he crafted.
Felix’s astonishment doesn’t end there; he discovers that Oliver’s father is alive and well, far from being a drug addict.
In stark contrast to the image Oliver painted, his parents describe him as exceptionally intelligent and high-achieving, with his Oxbridge status earned through academic excellence, not due to any financial hardship.
The revelation shatters the bond between Felix and Oliver, their friendship fractured by the deceit underpinning it. Yet, to the rest of the world, Oliver’s life remains concealed beneath layers of falsehoods and pretense.
Oliver’s portrayal of his parents as “good-for-nothing” individuals is a reflection of his ambitious nature.
Oliver yearns for more than the confines of his middle-class upbringing. He dreams of becoming the lord of Saltburn, defying societal norms and the expectations of his upbringing.
Also, Oliver harbors a secret agenda driven by a deep-seated loathing for Felix, his family, and their privileged world. He sets out to dismantle them, one by one, in a calculated mission to bring down the wealthy.
Tragically, Oliver’s sinister plot succeeds, leaving each member of Felix’s family to face a dire fate. As the sole survivor, Oliver claims Saltburn as his own.
In a haunting monologue, he unveils the depths of his hatred for Felix and his family, shedding light on the enduring class struggles between the affluent and the middle and working classes.
Yet, there is another layer to Oliver’s lies—he spins them out of love.
His profound affection for Felix drives him to create tales that would draw Felix closer to him. Without the fabricated stories, Oliver fears he would merely be one among Felix’s many college friends.
So, he yearns to stand out and be noticed by Felix.
Director Emerald Fennell, in an interview with GQ, sheds light on the heart of the matter, stating:
“Oliver’s profoundly in love with Felix. The first thing he says is he wasn’t in love with him. And we know that’s a lie. And the film shows us that’s a lie… I always think that this film was just the result of what happens when you don’t get loved back. If he’d loved him back, none of this would ever have happened.”
Interestingly, none of the incidents would have happened if Felix had fallen in love with Oliver.
This is probably because the latter would have gotten a chance to rise above his ranks with a partner better off than him.
But would that have been enough for Oliver? Something tells us that the answer would have been no.
Saltburn is streaming now on Netflix.
What did you think of Saltburn? Was the ending well executed? Or do you have mixed feelings about the film?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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