The recent movie Saltburn, released Nov 17, 2023, has created a new level of shock value among movie watchers with its vulgar and explicit plot twists, raising the question; When is explicit content in a movie considered too explicit? The students of San Dimas had a lot to say about the movie’s crazy plot line.

Saltburn is about an Oxford student, Oliver, who becomes obsessed with his fellow student, Felix, and is invited to spend the summer at Felix’s estate in Saltburn. It is in this setting that the audience is stunned and quite frankly sickened by some of its vulgar scenes. However, it is these scenes that are also the most memorable and talked about, which only adds to the popularity of it. Some argue that these crass scenes are cinematically important to the movie’s emotion, while others are just disgusted and scarred. 

“Super vulgar,” says senior Naomi Ashenafi. “The cinematography was sick though. But I wouldn’t recommend the movie if you have an easily upset stomach because I couldn’t even keep my composure, I was squirming in my seat because of how weird it was to watch on the big screen. I’m just glad my parents weren’t there with me”     

Explicit content can be defined as things that are dubbed as adult content, ranging from something overly sexual or even just bad language. Filmmakers must grapple with the task of pushing creative boundaries while also respecting what is considered publicly ethical. While adding shock value to films is necessary to increase the ratings of a movie, it is not necessary to keep incorporating explicit content that ultimately leads to a desensitized generation. Labeling gaudy and obscene imagery in a film as beautiful cinematography is a stretch that has made certain audiences wonder where the future of cinema is headed.

“I’m not necessarily an expert on cinematography, but I can for sure say weird abstract scenes honestly just creep me out sometimes.” says ASB president, Beatrice See. 

At the end of the day, the extent to how vulgar explicit content can be is determined by the audience and their tolerance to such inclusivity. But this new style of art has become more apparent as a norm in film with movies like Saltburn or for example, Oppenheimer (2023), Beau is Afraid (2023), and Evil Dead Rise (2023), all of which have been extremely talked about../