Before "Saltburn" hits theaters, you might want to check out Fennell's debut movie, "Promising Young Woman," to get a taste of the filmmaker's style. The 2020 film stars Mulligan as Cassie Thomas, who dropped out of medical school after her best friend Nina was the victim of a violent sexual assault — and who seeks revenge on men who style themselves as "nice guys." Even after opening up a bit and starting a relationship with Ryan Cooper (Bo Burnham), a former medical school classmate, she's always on guard for anything untoward... and unfortunately for her, her fears about entering into that relationship turn out to be completely valid.
The film earned Fennell an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and scored nominations for Best Picture and Best Director — with Fennell as the first British woman and only seventh in history to be nominated for the top directing award. Obviously, it remains to be seen if "Saltburn" will receive the same acclaim as "Promising Young Woman," but based on its trailer, it definitely has the same unnerving, delightfully creepy vibe.
"Saltburn" opens on November 24, 2023.
