How Gay Is Saltburn? A Brief Overview of the Movie

Do you love watching movies with dark, intense school vibes, and close friendships with romantic undertones? If so, you might like the movie Saltburn! 

Ever since the movie was released, people have been comparing it to classics like The Talented Mr. Ripley and Brideshead Revisited. Even the teaser revealed some stunning scenes, including actor Jacob Elordi dressed in a tuxedo, smoking a cigarette, and sporting an eyebrow piercing.

Now the main thing that everybody wants to know is, “Is Saltburn gay?” Well, we will find that out in the post below.

What Is Saltburn About?

The official synopsis of Saltburn describes it as a captivating tale about desire and privilege. It follows the lives of two students, Felix Catton and Oliver Quick, at Oxford University in the mid-2000s. 

Oliver, who comes from a lower-class background, faces snide remarks about his rented suit, highlighting his social status. On the other hand, Felix belongs to a wealthy family and invites Oliver to visit Saltburn, their luxury estate.

In the movie, Oliver kicks things off by sharing his infatuation with Felix Catton. He is completely smitten by him, though Felix doesn’t quite reciprocate.

Oliver’s infatuation quickly turns into a full-blown obsession as he starts going out of his way to cosy up to Felix. When he finally gets into the Catton family’s Saltburn Estate, things escalate further. During his stay, he gets reckless, even dragging Felix’s sister, Venetia, into his schemes.

Some of the most jaw-dropping moments, like his antics in the bathtub and his violent outbursts, stem from his desire. It’s like his obsession takes over his whole life, controlling every move he makes.

Oliver’s actions throughout the story highlight the darker side of human nature, the stuff people usually keep hidden. When Felix finally exposes his lies, things take a dark turn. Oliver can’t handle rejection, so he is set on claiming Felix, no matter what.

This obsession drives him to a violent showdown with the Catton family, which ends in tragedy. In the end, Oliver’s ruthless quest for power lands him on the Saltburn Estate, fulfilling Venetia’s earlier warning about his obsessive nature.

Is Saltburn A Gay Movie?

Saltburn is not exactly a gay movie. It can be best described as what is called “straightbating,” a term previously used to describe the misleading marketing of Brokeback Mountain. 

Reviewers suggest that Saltburn might be seen as a reinterpretation of The Talented Mr. Ripley, but they caution that it doesn’t handle the implicit queerness between the main characters and its predecessor.

However, it’s worth considering if labelling films like this as “gay” is appropriate. Some argue that Oliver’s desire might not specifically be for Felix himself, but rather for his lifestyle, which motivates Oliver to pursue power like the Cattons. Whether this interpretation came from the film’s marketing strategy or journalists, we should be cautious about letting studios claim their work represents LGBTQ+ experiences.

Saltburn seems to aim for a similar impact as recent class critiques like The Menu, Parasite, and Triangle of Sadness. However, by avoiding queerness, it may not fully hit its intended targets.