I’d heard a few things about Saltburn, certainly. Enough that I felt I should only come at it with loins fully girded. And yet I was in no way prepared to have such a stupendous time. Writer-director Emerald Fennell is not only at the top of her game, but she’s blowing everyone else out of the water while she’s at it. I love how her brain works, how she effortlessly translates these moments of passion, ruthlessness, insecurity, and sexual deviance into pure cinematic joy. It’s rare to be able to indulge in such wretchedness without shame or fear, but with Fennell at its helm and Barry Keoghan as its star, Saltburn is bold and bracing and ultimately incredibly fun.