Why did Oliver lie to Felix about his background?

At Oxford, Oliver soon realizes that he is at a social disadvantage due to his middle-class background. Instead of pretending to be wealthy in order to fit in, he adopts a different strategy in the hopes of befriending the popular and wealthy Felix, with whom he quickly grows obsessed. Oliver tells Felix that he was raised under difficult conditions by two parents who struggled with substance-abuse, mental health issues, and poverty. Felix, who feels some discomfort concerning his own wealth and privilege, sympathizes with Oliver’s story, describing him as an “inspiration” for overcoming adversity and gaining admission to Oxford, a famously selective university.  

When Oliver senses that Felix’s interest has begun to wane, however, he lies yet again, falsely claiming that his father has died in order to regain Felix’s attention. Pitying Oliver for his apparent hardships, Felix invites him to spend the summer at Saltburn. For a short period of time, Oliver is able to achieve his goals through deception. Later, when Oliver confronts Felix during the extravagant birthday party at Saltburn, he attempts to justify his early deceptions, noting that everyone “puts on a show” for Felix. Here, Oliver suggests that he was willing to tell Felix whatever he wanted to hear in order to get closer to him, even suggesting that his deception attests to his status as a good friend.  

Why was Pamela at Saltburn and what happened to her after she left?  

Like Oliver, Pamela is a guest at Saltburn, staying with Lady Elspeth while attempting to get her life back on track. Previously, she dated a Russian oligarch whose former associates often died under mysterious circumstances. Pamela implies that her previous partner has criminal ties and is willing to assassinate those whom he regards as enemies. It quickly becomes clear, however, that Lady Elspeth is growing tired of Pamela, who occasionally repeats stories and speaks about her troubles. Additionally, Pamela misses some of the social queues at Saltburn, mistaking the Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley for a personal acquaintance.  

When Pamela notes that she may be able to move into her cousin’s small apartment in London, Lady Elspeth begins to pressure Pamela to leave Saltburn. Later, Lady Elspeth casually notes to Oliver that Pamela has died and complains about the inconvenience of attending her funeral in London. Though Lady Elspeth does not clarify how Pamela died, the movie strongly implies that she has been a victim of the violence of her former partner. Earlier, Pamela noted that her father predicted she would end up “at the bottom of the Thames,” a river that runs through London, seemingly foreshadowing her eventual fate.  

Why is Felix shocked when he and Oliver visit Oliver’s mother in Prescot?  

At Oxford, Oliver lies about his background in order to get closer to Felix. He claims that he was raised as an only child in poverty by parents who struggled with substance abuse and sold drugs in order to get by. At Saltburn, however, Felix answers Oliver’s phone and speaks to his mother, Paula Quick. He is surprised to hear that Paula is in good health and spirits and, believing she has recovered from the various difficulties reported by Oliver, decides to take Oliver on a surprise day trip to see her.  

At Prescot, Felix and Oliver are greeted by Paula in a comfortable and clean home in a middle-class suburb of the city of Liverpool, exposing Oliver’s deceit. Further, Felix learns that Oliver’s father is still alive, despite his earlier claim that his father died in an accident while drunk, and that Oliver has multiple sisters. Not only does Felix learn that Oliver has lied to him, but he also learns that Oliver has lied to his parents about his time at Oxford, claiming to be involved in the debate club, a rowing team, and multiple plays, all while being acknowledged as “top scholar” for his schoolwork. Though Felix does not expose Oliver’s lies, he immediately understands that Oliver has falsely presented unrealistic accolades to his parents in order to give them the impression that he is thriving at Oxford.  

Why does Oliver kill Felix and push Venetia towards suicide?  

Oliver has deeply complex and even contradictory feelings regarding Felix and the other members of his family. In a voiceover, he admits that he loved Felix but also confesses that he hated him. Oliver is, the movie suggests, both attracted to the wealth of the Cattons and deeply resentful of it. Though he lies in order to befriend Felix and ingratiate himself with his family, Oliver does not actually resort to murder until Felix demands that Oliver leave Saltburn and rejects his attempt to rekindle their friendship during the birthday party. Oliver is dazzled by Saltburn and the world of ease and luxury that it offers. When Felix makes it clear that he has no interest in salvaging their friendship, Oliver murders him, ensuring that Felix cannot simply throw him away like he has with previous friends. In doing so, he also guarantees that Felix cannot inform the other members of the Catton family about Oliver’s deceit. 

Later, when a devastated Venetia implies that Oliver is responsible for destroying her family, he leaves razor blades by her bathtub, encouraging her to commit suicide. By this point, it is clear that he is willing to remove anyone who stands in his way of staying at Saltburn. By serving as a comforting and supportive presence to Lady Elspeth during her grief, he extends his time at the house, though Sir James, wary of his presence, bribes him to leave.

How did Oliver inherit Saltburn?  

Years after Oliver’s summer at Saltburn in 2007, he bumps into Lady Elspeth in a cafe, seemingly by chance. After the death of Sir James (which Oliver played no role in), Lady Elspeth has no living heirs and is the sole owner of Saltburn and the Catton family fortune. Pleased to see Oliver after so many years, she apologizes for Sir James’s previous behavior and invites Oliver to return to Saltburn. Time passes and the two become closer, though the movie does not clarify the precise nature of their relationship during this time. Later, as she is dying of a terminal illness, Lady Elspeth bequeaths the property and family fortune to Oliver. The end of the film, however, reveals that Oliver carefully orchestrated his meeting with Lady Elspeth, just as he planned several other key events in the film. In a flashback, the film reveals that Oliver was only pretending to work on his laptop at the cafe, typing random keys in order to appear as though he is writing. Shortly after Lady Elspeth names Oliver in her will, he murders her by disconnecting her life support in order to inherit the property without complication. Ultimately, Oliver is successful in his goal and takes possession of the mansion.  

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