Saltburn Ending Explained: A Movie That Sparks Discussion

Emerald Fennell’s latest project is now available on Amazon Prime Video, continuing the heated discussions that began when Saltburn premiered in cinemas last November. With its explicit content and unsettling moments, the film has sparked intense debate among audiences.

The plot centers on Oliver (played by Barry Keoghan), a middle-class student at Oxford who is welcomed into the world of his wealthy classmate, Felix (Jacob Elordi). Invited to spend the summer at Felix’s grand family estate, Saltburn, Oliver is given access to a life of luxury that is far from his own.

As Saltburn progresses, it delivers shocking revelations, particularly its dark conclusion, which exposes Oliver’s true motives—plans he had in motion long before stepping foot on the estate.

So, what exactly happens to Felix, his family members Elsbeth, Pamela, and Farleigh, and how does Oliver’s presence alter their lives?

Saltburn’s Ending: The Hidden Truth Behind the Plot Twist

Things between Felix and Oliver take a downward turn as the story plays out, but the real turning point comes when Felix uncovers a major lie. He realizes that Oliver has not been truthful about his background and is not the struggling son of a drug-addicted mother and deceased father as he claimed.

Felix decides to confront Oliver by driving him to visit his actual family on his birthday, where the truth is revealed—Oliver comes from a comfortable middle-class home, not the hardship he described.

This discovery unsettles Oliver, and tensions escalate further that night during an extravagant Midsummer Night’s Dream-themed party hosted by the Catton family in his honor. The evening sets the stage for events that will change everything.

The Fate of Felix 

During the celebration, Felix follows Oliver into a maze, hoping to mend their fractured friendship. However, the attempt proves futile, and the next morning, Felix’s lifeless body is discovered within the maze. Initially, the cause of Felix’s death remains uncertain.

Later, however, it is revealed that Oliver had drugged Felix by tampering with the bottle of champagne he handed him during their argument in the maze.

What Happened to Pamela?

Elsbeth’s longtime friend, Pamela—often referred to as ‘Poor Dear’—is already staying at Saltburn when Oliver first arrives. However, Elsbeth later hints that Pamela has overstayed her welcome. Not long after Pamela leaves, tragic news reaches the Cattons—she has died under mysterious circumstances.

While her death is officially classified as a suicide, Elsbeth had previously mentioned that Pamela had been seeking refuge at Saltburn, fearing a Russian billionaire she encountered in rehab. The possibility that this billionaire played a role in Pamela’s death is left open-ended, as the film does not revisit this detail.

The Fate of Farleigh?

Following a disturbing sequence in which Oliver engages in an unsettling act at Felix’s grave, attention changes back to the grieving Catton family. Felix’s cousin, Farleigh, becomes suspicious of Oliver’s continued presence at Saltburn and questions why he has not left.

Oliver, however, turns the situation to his advantage. He subtly suggests that Farleigh’s drug addiction may have played a role in Felix’s demise, shifting the blame away from himself. This manipulation works in Oliver’s favor, and instead of being removed from Saltburn, it is Farleigh who is forced to leave.

His character is never seen again, leaving his fate unresolved as the film reaches its conclusion.

Venetia’s Fate in Saltburn

While Elsbeth grows increasingly fond of Oliver, Venetia becomes suspicious and starts to see through his facade. She confronts him about his involvement in Felix’s death, only to be found dead the next morning—her body was discovered in the bathtub, appearing to have taken her own life.

At first, the circumstances surrounding Venetia’s death are unclear. Later, during the film’s big reveal, a chilling detail comes to light—Oliver had placed razor blades on the edge of the bathtub.

Although the film suggests that Oliver may have manipulated Venetia into ending her own life, another possibility lingers—he may have drugged and killed her himself. The ambiguity surrounding her death leaves room for interpretation, adding to the unsettling nature of Saltburn’s conclusion.