‘Saltburn,' the psychological drama film, culminates with a spectacular climax, marked by its protagonist's victory, gained by however unpleasant means.
Felix Catton's ostensibly lovely buddy, Oliver Quick, stays at the latter's family home, Saltburn, where he is introduced to the excesses and hedonisms of society's upper echelons.
However, Oliver's profound longing for Felix's life unavoidably colorizes the summer as events spiral out of control.
Near the end of the film, Oliver's efforts to gain access to the Catton family and their money, particularly the Saltburn Estate, result in the deaths of Felix and his sister, Venetia.
Even though Oliver must leave the estate soon after, his magnificent plan lives on and is put into action after Sir James, the Cattons' grandfather, dies. As a result of his pivotal role in Oliver's success, his death piques everyone's interest.
How Did Sir James Catton Die?
Sir James Catton is uninterested in Oliver and his presence at Saltburn. Unlike his wife and children, James seemed perfectly content to know Felix's pal from afar in a traditional parent way.
He's become accustomed to Felix's proclivity for pulling his friends into the family fold, a tendency he appears to have inherited from his mother, Elspeth. As a result, like Felix and Elspeth's past visitors, James undoubtedly expects Oliver to leave once his family grows tired of him.
However, Oliver is unlike any previous Saltburn visitor, possibly for the better but largely for the worse. Oliver lied about his entire biography to get Felix's attention, and he continues to lie to keep that attention.
As a result, he's more than capable of winning over Felix's family as well. Felix attempts and somewhat succeeds in impressing Elspeth and Venetia by putting on a different mask for each member based on their likes and dislikes.
Similarly, Oliver succeeds in dazzling James for a little while after researching the history of the older man's favorite objects throughout the house. However, a reality founded on a lie can only persist for so long.
When Felix discovers his friend's deception, Oliver's charm wears thin. Throughout the dispute, Felix maintains his demand that Oliver leave him alone. However, Oliver is so determined to be a part of Felix's life that he is willing to do so without the man alongside him.
As a result, Oliver kills Felix and assists in Venetia's suicide to ensure that no one threatens his position at Saltburn. Nonetheless, he soon finds himself in a situation from which he cannot homicide his way out.
The Cattons prepare to mourn their children's deaths. Although Elspeth would like to have Oliver by her side during this difficult time, James knows better than to let an outsider in at such a critical juncture. After all, Oliver is still an outsider in James' eyes.
Even though Oliver had won over the other Cattons, James never allowed the youngster to get near enough to him to do so.
He can also see through some of Oliver's phony politeness. He is aware that the Catton fortune is appealing to the man and attempts to bribe him into leaving once it is evident that he has no intention of doing so. As a result, Oliver is forced to leave the estate.
Even though Oliver has already been involved in two deaths, he realizes he can't go after James without even the cover of his Saltburn mansion. Furthermore, unlike Felix and Venetia, James would never allow the man to get close enough to him to control his demise. Nonetheless, Oliver's actions may have already created enough turmoil in the man's life to last a lifetime.
Read More: How Did Megan Parra Die?
In the end, that lifetime lasts for a few years. Nonetheless, by 2022, James had died as a result of an unknown illness. Although the plot never officially mentions whether or not Oliver had a direct hand in James' death, the man makes the most of it in any case.
However, James' death likely had nothing to do with Oliver. We can deduce the same thing by noting that Oliver reveals no specifics about James in his gloating speech to Elspeth as she lies dying. In the end, James dies mysteriously, which happens to be the final piece Oliver requires to complete his huge strategy.
