Saltburn director reveals explicit meaning behind movie’s name

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know all about Saltburn – but what about its name? The movie’s director finally reveals the meaning, and it’s explicit.

It was never intended to be a movie to watch at Christmas with your family, but that’s exactly what happened. Since its release, Saltburn has been controversial for a number of reasons, from skin-crawling scenes to unexpected merchandise.

Starring Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, and Rosamund Pike, the synopsis reads: “Distraught by his classmate Oliver’s unfortunate living situation, Felix, a rich student, invites him over to his estate. Soon, a series of horrifying events engulf Felix’s family.”

Many might be left wondering how Saltburn got its name, with the director finally shedding some light on the movie title’s explicit meaning.

Saltburn director reveals explicit meaning behind movie’s name

During an interview with Access Hollywood, Saltburn director Emerald Fennell revealed how the movie got its name, with its meaning drawing more explicit inspiration – it sounded like a “sex injury.”

“Well I was asked why it was called Saltburn, and I said that it’s a real town in England, but when I heard the name it sounded like a sex injury,” Fennell stated. “But a really nice one. Like a pleasurable sting. And I think that’s kind of what the film is.”

“She [Fennell] gave me Saltburn,” added Rosamund Pike, prompting both the presenter and Fennell to burst into laughter.

It’s not too surprising that the film is explicit by name as it is also fairly explicit in nature, with fans still shocked by plenty of scenes that took them by surprise.

“Everyone on the Internet warned me about Saltburn but did I listen? No, so now I am scarred for life,” one user posted on X/Twitter.

“For anyone who has watched Saltburn. The graveyard scene was not scripted. It was improv,” another added, with a third commenting, “I don’t know what was worse, the bathtub scene or the graveyard scene.”

In our five-star review, we said: “Saltburn is about secrets and lies. Desire and deception. With violence, and sexual depravity thrown in for good measure. It also features a soundtrack to die for, making incredible use of Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Murder on the Dancefloor. As well as a festive Cheeky Girls track.

On the surface, it seems to be about class. As we Brits will always be obsessed with class. But there’s also a thriller bubbling away beneath that surface, one that grips from when the film’s clever framing device kicks in, to the ultimately devastating denouement.”