Barry Keoghan's shocking Saltburn grave scene was not scripted

You might find it hard to believe that one of the most controversial scenes in Saltburn wasn't scripted.

Saltburn, perhaps one of the most talked about films of 2023, centres around Oxford University student, Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan), who is invited to spend the summer with his super-rich classmate Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi) at his family's estate.

"Academy Award winning filmmaker Emerald Fennell brings us a beautifully wicked tale of privilege and desire," a synopsis for the film reads.

"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."

There are literally dozens of controversial scenes, such as when Oliver sups up some of Felix’s semen after he masturbates in a bathtub.

Or when Oliver strips and dances through the stately home to Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s 'Murder on the Dancefloor'.

But it's Barry Keoghan's grave scene which arguably takes home the prize as the most 'messed up' moment of the film.

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Keoghan's character gets up close and personal with some grave soil when Felix has just been laid to rest, and Oliver cries on his grave - before tragically stripping down to defile it.

Well, director Emerald Fennell told Entertainment Weekly about this scene: "I spoke to Barry in the morning, and I just said, 'I don't know, Barry. I think that he would... unzip.'

"And Barry just said, 'Yup'."

Keoghan added: "She plants seeds, Emerald, you know what I mean?

"She knows that they're going to grow, these seeds, especially when she plants them with me. But it is a testament to Emerald and having that idea and me meeting it with, to be honest, no questions. I was totally on board for it."

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He continued: "For me, it wasn't about f**king the grave, it was more about: I don't know what to do with this obsession; it's making me confused and making me un-human in a way.

"It was a total discovery for him, I think. And it was sad. It was very, very sad."

Viewers have opened up on their own experiences online, with one person commenting: “I saw it today and I don’t remember what life was like before Saltburn.”

Another put: “I woke up in a cold sweat the morning after seeing Saltburn.”

Others warn viewers will ‘never look at Barry the same again’ as one writes: “When I tell you I could not pick my jaw up.”

You can't say you've not been warned.