Spoiler alert: The actors gushed about each other during a press conference to promote the opening of Emerald Fennell’s stunning film, now in theaters in the U.S. and the U.K..
Playing charisma personified
When asked whether Barry Keoghan or Jacob Elordi had ever met people as charismatic as Felix, the character Elordi plays in Saltburn each replied with the name of the other. Elordi added “That's great. I'm in love with you. I'm just in love with you,” directed at Keoghan.
Fame is a b**tch
When asked if he compared Felix’s aura to his own struggle with this newfound fame for Elordi, he admitted “it's definitely food for thought. I didn't notice the comparison while playing the character… I kind of just try to approach the script and not bring the world into it and do sort of what the filmmaker asks. But it's an interesting comparison for sure.”
Fearlessness is just trust in the other
In an earlier press conference Fennell said Keoghan was “fearless” in his portrayal of Oliver and so he addressed that by saying that the choices made by the filmmaker in writing his character have “to kind of, you know, move the story for me. And in terms of, like, being fearless, I just want to show maturity in how I commit to my craft, and that I'm taking it serious and that I'm willing to take choices and make choices that elevate me as an actor and push me and, you know, allow me to kind of figure myself out as well.” And then added “you have to have trust in your director and your team, because then that allows you to go to some vulnerable places.”
Friendship is an understated concept
Regarding the actors’ thoughts and reflections on male friendship, or about their own experiences with male friendship, Elordi answered “I have such strong friendships in my life, just across the board. I don't know if it changed anything for me. It just brought me a new friend,” meaning Keoghan. The latter added “friendship is friendship. What Jacob had said. You don't have to try and make it work. When it works, it works,” adding that a friend is “someone I have complete trust in, and I think friend is an understatement.”
A director who revolutionizes the concept of good and evil
And finally, about their talented director, Elordi said “Emerald's whole personality is sort of sympathy for the devil. She is amazing at stepping back from sort of conventions and what people say about things and just seeing everyone as filthy and messed up and tricky, and that was her emphasis the whole time. She loves each character the same amount. I think she actually loves Oliver kind of the most.”
Top image courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios, used with permission