The Intriguing Dance Scene
Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Murder On The Dancefloor (as featured in Saltburn)
The dance scene in Saltburn holds a mesmerizing allure, captivating the audience with its symbolic depth and hidden meanings. Directed by the talented Emerald Fennell, Saltburn is a compelling narrative that revolves around the life of Oliver Quick, a lower-class Oxford student, and his intriguing summer at the Catton family's opulent Saltburn estate. The final scene, where Oliver jubilantly dances to Sophie Ellis-Bextor's 'Murder on the Dancefloor,' is a culmination of the film's intricate plot and captivating character development.
A shirtless Oliver (Barry Keoghan) looking at the Catton family's death stones at the end of Saltburn.
The dance scene became a viral sensation, triggering a resurgence of the 23-year-old song on TikTok. However, the significance of the song choice and Oliver's dance attire goes well beyond its pop culture relevance, delving into the intricate layers of the character's motivations and revelations.
A shot of Oliver (Barry Keoghan) from behind, wearing a robe while looking out at the messy lawn on the Saltburn estate grounds in Saltburn.
Oliver's Victorious Revelation
Oliver's dance scene in Saltburn serves as a triumphant unveiling of his true self, shedding the layers of deception he had meticulously crafted. His nudity in the final scene holds profound symbolism, representing his liberation from the façade he maintained to infiltrate the Catton family and inherit Saltburn.
Oliver (Barry Keoghan) sitting at a grand table setting looking at his own reflection in Saltburn.
Throughout the film, Oliver weaves a web of intricate deceptions, concealing his true intentions and adopting different personas to achieve his ultimate goal. The dance scene symbolizes his joyous freedom and ownership of the estate, as he jubilantly prances through the halls of Saltburn, celebrating his successful acquisition.
Oliver (Barry Keoghan) looking at the reflection of Felix, Venetia, and Farleigh at the breakfast table in the mirror in Saltburn.
The Resonance of the Song Choice
Sophie Ellis-Bextor's 'Murder on the Dancefloor' serves as a poignant accompaniment to Oliver's dance, with its dark and resonant lyrics mirroring the character's actions and motivations. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy beat belie its dark undertones, reflecting the intricacies of Oliver's calculated maneuvers and persistent pursuit.
Oliver (Barry Keoghan), Felix (Jacob Elordi), and Venetia (Alison Oliver) dressed in fancy clothes looking offscreen in Saltburn.
The lyrics of 'Murder on the Dancefloor' closely align with Oliver's endeavors, portraying a thematic relevance that makes it the perfect soundtrack to his grand finale moment. The song's figurative 'murder on the dancefloor' echoes Oliver's strategic and relentless pursuit of his goals, adding depth and resonance to the dance scene.
Oliver (Barry Keoghan) arriving at the Saltburn estate in Saltburn.
The Unforeseen Culmination
The dance scene was an unforeseen culmination in the development of Saltburn's final sequence. Initially, the scene was intended to be a simple walk through the house, but the decision to infuse it with a dance routine to 'Murder on the Dancefloor' added a captivating layer of depth and resonance to Oliver's revelatory moment.
Oliver (Barry Keoghan) looking at the dead Catton family member's rocks in the final scene of Saltburn.
Despite not being the original final scene, the dance sequence perfectly encapsulates Oliver's frame of mind, exuding his jubilation and triumph in a carefree and slightly clumsy dance that aptly mirrors the all-too-applicable lyrics of 'Murder on the Dancefloor.' The decision to make it the final scene was a stroke of brilliance, adding a compelling resolve to Oliver's deranged, long-term goal.
