Saltburn has become a cultural phenomenon, and one scene, in particular, has captured everyone’s attention. Viewers are utterly fascinated by the film’s audacious finale, specifically the scene where Barry Keoghan, the movie’s star, dances completely naked through the opulent Saltburn estate to Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s iconic hit, ‘Murder On The Dance Floor.’ This Saltburn dance naked scene has sparked countless conversations and analyses online.
Now, the 31-year-old Irish actor has finally addressed the burning question on everyone’s mind about this scene, where he bravely bares it all.
Many fans and critics have lauded the thriller as ‘twisted’ and ‘disgustingly amazing,’ praising its stellar cast and shocking plot twists. However, the Saltburn naked scene undoubtedly became a major talking point, leaving audiences eager to understand the actor’s perspective and the scene’s significance.
For those yet to experience it, Saltburn unfolds in England in 2006. This dark comedy, blended with psychological drama, is the brainchild of Emerald Fennell, who wrote, directed, and produced the film. The story revolves around Oliver (Keoghan), an Oxford University student who develops an intense fascination with a wealthy classmate, Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi). Felix invites Oliver to spend the summer at his family’s extravagant mansion, setting the stage for a summer of debauchery and shocking revelations.
Amazon Prime
After a series of unexpected plot developments and a now-infamous bathtub scene, Keoghan has finally revealed whether the naked figure dancing across the screen as the credits roll was indeed him.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, The Banshees of Inisherin star explained his feelings about the scene. “It totally felt right. It’s ownership. This is my place,” Keoghan stated, emphasizing the character’s sense of conquest and liberation.
“It’s full confidence in, ‘I can do what I want in this manor. I can strip to my barest and waltz around because this is mine’. Yeah… it was fun,” he added, highlighting the character’s audacious display of dominance and the unexpected enjoyment he found in filming the scene.
However, Keoghan also admitted to initial hesitations about the nudity required for the first take.
Amazon Prime
“The initial thing was about me having no clothes on. I’m a bit, ehhh,” he confessed, mimicking a hesitant expression. “But after take one, I was ready to go. I was like, ‘Let’s go again. Let’s go again.'”
He further elaborated on the comfortable atmosphere on set, which allowed him to overcome his initial reservations. “You kind of forget, because there’s such a comfortable environment created, and it gives you that license to go, ‘All right, this is about the story now’,” Keoghan explained, underlining the importance of a supportive filming environment for such a vulnerable scene.
Adding a touch of humor, Keoghan admitted his surprise at his own dance moves. “I didn’t know I could dance like that, by the way,” Keoghan joked. “I was like, ‘Wow. Where did them things come from?'”
Director Fennell disclosed that the Saltburn dance naked sequence was filmed a remarkable 11 times. This dedication to capturing the perfect take underscores the scene’s significance in the film and the commitment of the cast and crew to Fennell’s vision. It’s clear that the final result, this iconic tyla dance naked moment, was meticulously crafted to leave a lasting impression.
Saltburn is currently available for streaming on Amazon Prime.