In a recent interview, Rosamund Pike, celebrated for her versatile roles, delved into her latest project, “Saltburn,” a decadent tale of obsession and excess. The film, directed by BAFTA-nominated Thomas Napper, features Pike as Lady Elspeth Catton, a character described as a wildly out-of-touch mother with a penchant for taking in charity cases.
Pike, known for her performances in “Gone Girl” and “I Care a Lot,” showcased her talent for portraying morally ambiguous characters. In “Saltburn,” she plays alongside Barry Keoghan, who portrays young Oxford student Oliver, integrating himself into the family of his classmate Felix, portrayed by Jacob Elordi. The plot unfolds with Pike’s character, Elspeth, taking in charity cases like Oliver and her friend Pamela, played by Carey Mulligan, seeking refuge after a breakup with a “malignantly ugly” Russian billionaire.
Despite Elspeth being more clueless than conniving, Pike manages to captivate the audience with her character’s horribly insensitive remarks. Pike, discussing her approach to portraying Elspeth, revealed the challenges of finding empathy for such a character and emphasized the art of improvisation in her performance.
As “Saltburn” hits Amazon Prime, audiences can anticipate Pike’s magnetic portrayal and perhaps even a spin-off with Carey Mulligan, according to hints dropped by the actress. The film adds another dimension to Pike’s repertoire, leaving viewers intrigued by her ability to make even the most complex characters endearing.
