Irish actor Barry Keoghan, known for his notable performances in films like The Killing of a Sacred Deer, The Banshees of Inisherin, The Green Knight, and Dunkirk, has recently taken on a starring role in Saltburn alongside Jacob Elordi from Euphoria.
Saltburn has become a highly-discussed movie release of 2023, drawing attention to various memorable scenes. Notably, one scene that has sparked considerable conversation is the film’s concluding moment, where Barry Keoghan captivates viewers by dancing in the n*de throughout a grand estate.
Barry Keoghan’s Bold Confession
In Saltburn, the psychological thriller directed by Emerald Fennell, a series of outlandish scenes unfold. Barry Keoghan, portraying Oliver Quick, participates in various peculiar s*xual scenes, including a noteworthy moment where he boldly dances to the tune of Murder on the Dancefloor.
Keoghan’s character, Oliver, finds himself immersed in a captivating narrative described as a “beautifully wicked tale of privilege and desire,” according to the official logline. Among the film’s intriguing sequences is a solemn moment towards its conclusion.
Keoghan visits the grave of Felix Catton, portrayed by Jacob Elordi. Overcome with emotion, he lies atop the grave, shedding tears before gradually undressing. The scene takes an unsettling turn as Oliver, now fully n*de, engages in a symbolic act, thrusting into the ground.
On being nude, the actor said to EW:
“It totally felt right,” said Keoghan, “It’s ownership. This is my place. 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.'”
The 31-year-old actor has been carving out an impressive career – with roles in big-budget films including Marvel’s Eternals, hit show Top Boy, and Oscar-nominated film The Banshees of Inisherin.
Barry Keoghan took 11 Takes For The N*ked Dance Scene in Saltburn
Barry Keoghan doesn’t leave any stone unturned while performing his role. The Oscar-nominated actor has recently appeared in Emerald Fennell’s black comedy psychological thriller, Saltburn and there is an interesting backstory behind a scene.
In a scene in Emerald Fennell’s 2023 film Saltburn, the actor had to dance naked. “It’s post-coital, euphoric, solitary and it’s mad.” the director told Variety explaining the essence of the scene. However, all the scenes were not far from perfection. “They were all very beautiful,” she added. For Keoghan, the dance sequence took 11 takes to get it right.
“But it could have been 40 and I wouldn’t have cared,” Keoghan told The Wrap.
“When you do something like that you want it to be to the point, because it can go either way. So we didn’t stop until we got it, to the point where I put my left foot forward rather than my right [because we wanted it to be perfection.”
The scene served to be an integral part of the narrative as it explored the deeper psychological essence of the character.
