- Saltburn’s bathtub scene impact
- Social media buzz and nominations
- Director Fennell’s ecstatic response
Emerald Fennell, the director of Saltburn, believes the infamous bathtub scene has generated such a strong response because it is “both diabolical and revolting, and unbelievably relatable.”
She stated it was the “first scene that came to mind when I considered the film.”
Social media has been abuzz with the psychological thriller starring Barry Keoghan as a student fixated on a wealthy university acquaintance.
It was nominated for five Baftas on Thursday, including Best British Film.
The dark comedy exploded online following its December release on Amazon Prime.
Punctuated with viral sequences, individuals took to social media to recount how they sat through the holiday season watching it with their amazed families.
Deadline reports that Saltburn-related videos have amassed four billion views on TikTok.
According to writer and director Fennell, the social media frenzy was caused by the film’s “gothic romance” nature.
She stated, “I believe it really caters to this unfulfilled emotional need we have for an operatic, heightened emotion; a heightened sense of the erotic, of love and hate.”
Simply put, we have been lacking it for quite some time.
Bathtub Scene’s Sensational Impact
The bathtub scenario has gained significant notoriety. Fennell described it as “central to the film” and “so potent due to its seductive nature.”
She continued, “I believe that anyone who has ever experienced absolute locus desire can relate to that sensation; therefore, I believe that explains the product’s remarkable success.”
In this particular scene, Keoghan portrays Oliver, who consumes used bathwater that contains the sperm of his companion Felix, whom Jacob Elordi portrays.
Keoghan and Elordi are Bafta nominees for their roles, while co-star Rosamund Pike is nominated for best supporting actress.
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Fennell, whose 2021 film Promising Young Woman won two Baftas, described the nominations for Saltburn as “absolutely ecstatic.” She further stated that it was “the most thrilling thing in the world due to the fact that we all adore the film so much and our crew was entirely British.”
Additionally, the film is credited with reintroducing the 2001 song “Murder on the Dancefloor” by Sophie Ellis-Bextor to the playlists. This was achieved through its appearance in Keoghan’s astounding nude finale.
Saltburn was also nominated for the same number of Bafta awards as Barbie, the highest-grossing film of 2023. Fennell praised Barbie, describing it as a “beautiful work of cinematography.”
Oppenheimer leads the Bafta field with thirteen nominations, followed by Poor Things with eleven.
