‘Frankenstein’ Star Reflects on “Prudish” Outrage Over 2023 Hit ‘Saltburn’ That Made People Feel Sick

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Certain movie scenes become famous for all the wrong reasons, and if you had to name a recent one that made viewers see bathtubs differently, it would likely be this one. The actor, currently starring in Guillermo del Toro’s version of Frankenstein, believes the controversy surrounding the infamous scene proves just how easily people are shocked.

Released in 2023 and directed by Emerald Fennell, Saltburn is a film set in Oxford, England, exploring themes of excess, attraction, and wealth. The story follows Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan) as he becomes captivated by the charismatic and privileged Felix Catton (Elordi), and spends a summer at the Catton family estate, Saltburn – a summer he’ll never forget.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Jacob Elordi discussed a particularly provocative scene in the film where Barry Keoghan’s character drinks the leftover water from a bath after Felix had been bathing. The scene also includes Keoghan’s character licking the bathtub drain, which was shocking enough to inspire a “Jacob Elordi’s Bathwater” scented candle. Elordi feels that entertainment often focuses too much on sex when there are more significant issues in the world. He explained his thoughts, saying:

It really highlights how easily shocked we are, I think. When I watched it, I immediately thought about how much more intense and graphic content is readily available in movies and even in true crime documentaries on streaming services. That stuff is genuinely disturbing, especially the way people seem to enjoy watching depictions of violence, even against children. What struck me was that this fictional piece, with just a hint of taboo, caused a bigger reaction than things we casually consume. It’s a curious comparison.

‘Saltburn’s Queasy Moment Even Caused a Reaction on Set


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As a total film buff, I remember Saltburn absolutely exploding online in 2023 – everyone was talking about it, and clips were instantly all over social media. But honestly, the buzz around filming one particular scene was just as intense as the reaction to actually seeing it. Emerald Fennell, the director, actually talked about how much of a challenge it was, and she explained…

There was a moment during filming when Barry performed a particularly impressive move, and the cinematographer, Linus Sandgren, reacted with a surprised yell that we had to remove in editing. He even exclaimed an expletive! That’s when you know you’ve captured something special – when everyone watching the monitor has that visceral, ‘wow’ reaction. It’s more than just finding something visually appealing; it creates a genuine, physical response, even silencing those present isn’t enough to contain it. Those are the moments you realize you’re creating something truly incredible.

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2025-11-10 15:32