Saltburn
Struggling to find his place at Oxford University, student Oliver Quick finds himself drawn into the world of the charming and aristocratic Felix Catton, who invites him to Saltburn, his eccentric family's sprawling estate, for a summer never to be forgotten.
Working with a mid-range budget of $20.0M, the film achieved a steady performer with $21.0M in global revenue (+5% profit margin).
Nominated for 5 BAFTA 18 wins & 110 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Saltburn (2023) reveals precise plot construction, characteristic of Emerald Fennell's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 14-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 11 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when Oliver helps Felix with a bike tire issue, creating an unexpected connection. Felix, grateful and intrigued, begins to notice Oliver, opening the door to the world Oliver has been desperately watching from afar.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 33 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Felix invites Oliver to spend the summer at his family estate, Saltburn. Oliver accepts, making the active choice to enter the world of extreme wealth and privilege, crossing into a realm he's never known., moving from reaction to action.
At 66 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Felix discovers Oliver has been lying about his background—his family isn't poor or tragic. The truth shatters their friendship. Felix is disgusted, and Oliver's carefully constructed persona crumbles, revealing the false victory of his acceptance., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 98 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Felix dies suddenly on his birthday. The family is devastated. Oliver appears to grieve alongside them, but the loss represents both the death of his obsession and the ultimate barrier to what he truly wants—complete possession of the Saltburn world., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 105 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Oliver is asked to leave Saltburn. Years pass, and through a calculated series of manipulations, Oliver re-emerges having systematically eliminated or driven away everyone between him and the estate, revealing his true nature and plan., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Saltburn's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 14 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Saltburn against these established plot points, we can identify how Emerald Fennell utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Saltburn within the drama genre.
Emerald Fennell's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Emerald Fennell films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Saltburn exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Emerald Fennell filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Emerald Fennell analyses, see Promising Young Woman.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupTheme
A character remarks on the nature of obsession and belonging at Oxford, foreshadowing the film's exploration of desire, class, and the lengths one will go to possess what they covet.
Worldbuilding
Oliver navigates Oxford's social hierarchies, struggling to fit in. We see his loneliness, his fascination with the beautiful and charismatic Felix Catton, and the stark class divisions that define campus life.
Disruption
Oliver helps Felix with a bike tire issue, creating an unexpected connection. Felix, grateful and intrigued, begins to notice Oliver, opening the door to the world Oliver has been desperately watching from afar.
Resistance
Oliver and Felix develop a friendship. Oliver is drawn deeper into Felix's orbit, meeting his circle of friends. Oliver tests the waters of this new world, uncertain if he truly belongs or if he's being tolerated.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Felix invites Oliver to spend the summer at his family estate, Saltburn. Oliver accepts, making the active choice to enter the world of extreme wealth and privilege, crossing into a realm he's never known.
Mirror World
Oliver arrives at Saltburn and meets the Catton family—Felix's parents Sir James and Elspeth, sister Venetia, and American hanger-on Farleigh. This new world of aristocratic excess reflects everything Oliver desires but can never truly be.
Premise
Oliver experiences the decadent summer at Saltburn—lavish parties, twisted games, sexual tension. He insinuates himself deeper into the family, observing their dysfunction while positioning himself as indispensable to Felix.
Midpoint
Felix discovers Oliver has been lying about his background—his family isn't poor or tragic. The truth shatters their friendship. Felix is disgusted, and Oliver's carefully constructed persona crumbles, revealing the false victory of his acceptance.
Opposition
Oliver faces rejection and exposure. Felix pulls away, the family grows suspicious, and Oliver's grip on his place at Saltburn loosens. Tensions escalate as Oliver becomes more desperate to maintain his position in this world.
Collapse
Felix dies suddenly on his birthday. The family is devastated. Oliver appears to grieve alongside them, but the loss represents both the death of his obsession and the ultimate barrier to what he truly wants—complete possession of the Saltburn world.
Crisis
In the aftermath of Felix's death, the family unravels. Oliver remains at Saltburn through the grief, positioned as a sympathetic presence. The household darkens as the weight of loss settles over the estate.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Oliver is asked to leave Saltburn. Years pass, and through a calculated series of manipulations, Oliver re-emerges having systematically eliminated or driven away everyone between him and the estate, revealing his true nature and plan.
Synthesis
The final revelations unfold: Oliver orchestrated everything from the beginning. Each death, each departure was engineered. He consolidates his complete possession of Saltburn, the estate now his alone, achieving total victory through ruthless calculation.
Transformation
Oliver dances naked through Saltburn to Sophie Ellis-Bextor's "Murder on the Dancefloor," a master of the domain he coveted. The awkward outsider is gone—replaced by a triumphant predator who has consumed everything he desired.