Saltburn’s End Credits Gag Took One Last Jab At The Movie’s Most Tragic Character

The end credits of Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn took a final jab at one of the celebrated film’s most unfortunate characters. Despite the overwhelming popularity of Saltburn over the early part of 2024 after being released on Amazon Prime Video in late 2023, Saltburn came up completely short in 2024 Oscar nominations. The film is directed by Emerald Fennell, who received five Oscar nominations and a Best Original Screenplay win for 2020’s Promising Young Woman. Despite the January 2024 buzz, Saltburn will not be in the 2024 Academy Awards picture.

All of the characters in Saltburn are considered to be tragic in their own way, mostly due to their dire fates caused by the sinister nature of Barry Keoghan’s Oliver Quick. Though incredibly cushioned and apparently refined in unimaginable luxuries and comforts, the main characters of Saltburn, consisting mostly of the Catton family, are all tragic even outside of Ollie’s influence due to their general aloofness and lack of empathy for others. Jacob Elordi’s Felix did show earnest signs of humanity in Saltburn, but was ultimately eaten alive by the quiet monster residing inside Oliver.

Elspeth’s Friend Is Listed As “Poor Dear Pamela” In Saltburn’s End Credits

During the end credits of Saltburn, Elspeth’s friend in the movie, Pamela, played by 2024 Oscar nominee Carey Mulligan, is listed as “Poor Dear Pamela”. This final sentiment towards Pamela is spot on with how Elspeth regards her during the entire movie, referring to her as “Poor Dear Pamela” with an apparent air of condescension and pity. Pamela was in truth no different from Ollie on a fundamental level as a visitor at Saltburn, but Pamela’s personal issues reveal Elspeth’s potential savior complex and true nature as an elitist.

It’s a notable inclusion from Emerald Fennell to continue Elspeth’s gag on Pamela even through the end credits, marking another of the many hidden details in Saltburn. Pamela was yet another “nobody” that became Elspeth’s toy at Saltburn, much like Venetia told Ollie that he was simply one of Felix’s toys he would inevitably get bored of. Pamela’s fate is much more tragic than Ollie’s, however, as he ends up taking control of Saltburn in the very end, while Pamela leaves Saltburn and dies soon after.

Related

Saltburn Ending Explained: What Really Happened To Felix

The ending of Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn is built on a web of lies spun by Oliver Quick and reveals the twisted layers of his obsession with Felix.

Saltburn’s Credits Gag Reiterates That Carey Mulligan’s Pamela Is The Most Tragic Character

Despite all of the Catton deaths caused by Ollie’s twisted plan to take over Saltburn, this end-credits gag proves that Pamela is truly the most tragic character in the film. Pamela came to stay with the Cattons for safety while hiding, and they pushed her away while feigning philanthropy and altruism. After Pamela is pushed out of the house, she dies, and all Elspeth can say is that Pamela “would do anything for attention”. Pamela really can’t catch a break in Saltburn, even in the credits.

Saltburn

Written and directed by Emerald Fennell, Saltburn is a 2023 comedy-thriller film. When Oxford student Oliver Quick is invited to his friend Felix’s family’s wealthy estate, Saltburn, for a summer vacation, he is drawn into the world of eccentric characters and increasingly chaotic events as his obsession with Felix comes to a head.

Release Date

November 17, 2023

Director

Emerald Fennell

Runtime

131 Minutes

Writers

Emerald Fennell

Studio(s)

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer , MRC , LuckyChap Entertainment , Lie Still

Distributor(s)

Amazon MGM Studios