How to Defend Against the Trashy Protagonist in "Saltburn"?

Have you heard of "Saltburn"? It's the recently talked-about movie that is more attention-grabbing than the red carpet event during awards season.

So, after sitting through the whole shebang, I was truly wowed by its showcase of male bodies and desires! It isn't all in-your-face nakedness, but a roundabout way of showing things which got me feeling the characters' lust, and let me tell you, it is kinda disturbing and gross.

Take Oliver, for instance. This dude catches Felix jerking off in the bathtub, and then sneakily takes a sip of the leftover bathwater. This scene just got me wide-eyed while thinking, “What the heck did I just see?”

Despite its seemingly obscene and twisted nature, the real highlight of this film lies below the surface.

First, let's talk about the male protagonist, Oliver Quick, portrayed brilliantly by Barry Keoghan. This guy may seem like an ordinary coward, but deep down, he has a lot of hidden evil intentions. He tactfully presents himself as a weak and fragile young man, which catches the attention of an aristocrat called Felix Catton. When Felix invites him to spend the summer at his country house, he becomes infatuated with the wealth and status of the noble family.

Guess what? The devilish Oliver uses different means to bring down Felix’s entire family and seize its fortune. Thus, an evil game of desire unfolds, leaving the Catton family in ruins and Oliver as the ultimate winner. Overall, this story reminds me of "The Talented Mr. Ripley," and Keoghan's portrayal of this seemingly fragile villain is reminiscent of Matt Damon in the movie.

This is what "Saltburn" aims to convey – the complex relationship between privilege and desire and the hidden evil within it. Well, it turns out unraveling this relationship isn't rocket science. Professor Adam M. Grant from the Wharton School spilled the tea and gave us the lowdown on the characters' behavior in the movie.

Givers, Takers, and Matchers

Oliver perfectly represents the classic Taker archetype from "Give and Take," a book written by Professor Grant, He categorizes humans into three major types during social interactions: Givers, Takers, and Matchers.

Let's start with Takers – Oliver is the epitome of this category. As described by Professor Grant, Takers are those who only seek to make demands to people, take advantage, exploit others, and reap benefits from others for themselves. Oliver is an expert at these. When no one is paying attention, he quietly starts causing destruction, ultimately leaving Felix’s entire family in shambles.

Givers, on the other hand, are commonly known as "good Samaritans". They are kind and always willing to help without expecting anything in return. Their motto is "giving is more meaningful than receiving," and they are always ready to share and assist others, even if it means sacrificing their own interests. Generally, these individuals are well-liked during social interactions because who doesn't appreciate having a sunny and generous friend? In "Saltburn," Felix is a typical Giver. He goes out of his way to help Oliver, pays for everyone's bills when Oliver is in an awkward situation and invites Oliver to his home when he is homeless.

Last but not least, we have the Matchers, who are the classic group of people that strive for balance by receiving and also giving. Their behavior is based on a return-on-investment strategy. They usually maintain fairness in their interpersonal relationships and have a balanced attitude towards giving and taking. In real life, most people fall into the Matcher category, and the same goes for all members of the Catton family in "Saltburn" except for Felix.

Therefore, the movie tells a story of a Taker defeating a Giver and Matchers. This aligns with the description in "Give and Take" – according to Professor Grant, Givers are generally well-liked and tend to succeed. However, their biggest enemy is the Takers. Takers, who have ill intentions, often take advantage of the Givers’ kindness and artfully steal from them, as seen in Oliver's greedy exploitation of Felix and his family.

How to Defend Against Takers?

Defending against those who excel at deceit and manipulation, like the Takers, is not an easy task. According to Professor Grant, the most challenging part is identifying them and finding the right approach to deal with them.

First and foremost, identifying Takers is similar to finding a needle in a haystack because they are experts at disguising themselves. They may appear to be kind-hearted individuals but are secretly plotting to take advantage of you. But don't worry, Professor Grant has a unique trick up his sleeve: observe their attitude towards third parties unrelated to their personal interests. How do you do that? If you notice that they always have an evil perception of this world, then they are most likely Takers.

When it comes to dealing with them, the most difficult part is saying no. If you consider yourself a Giver who is naturally inclined to help others, you may be soft-hearted toward a Taker who pretends to be pitiful, and think they must have faced unfair treatment or come from a troubled background. Stop fantasizing and learn to say no decisively! Professor Grant advises that you don't have to become someone with a sharp tongue and soft heart, but once you identify a Taker, you need to give up being a Giver and turn into a Matcher. Keep your distance from them and don't let them drag you down.

In conclusion, defending against Takers requires skillful detection and the ability to say no resolutely. Don't always prioritize others; sometimes, you need to consider yourself. Don't be a pushover for Takers – be a smart Matcher instead. It's a psychological game more thrilling than hide-and-seek!

Let's raise an example to illustrate this psychological battle! There is a Giver named Ken and a Taker named Zoris.

Ken is a good-hearted person. Whether it's helping his friends move or sharing his lunch, he is always willing to help, so he is very well-liked. One day, he encounters Zoris, who appears innocent, and always portrays herself as a pitiful person from a very troubled family background. Ken, being empathetic, feels compelled to help poor Zoris.

And what happens next? Zoris starts taking advantage of Ken's kindness, and makes various demands for help, as though he is in her debt. Initially, Ken thinks he might be overthinking, but then notices that Zoris always makes malicious comments and complaints. For instance, she would say, "You may think Jane is kind, but she has ulterior motives" or "Let me tell you, Anne has been talking behind your back." At this point, Ken realizes that Zoris is a true Taker.

Let's talk about the challenge in dealing with this situation – it's certainly all about saying no. Ken is a Giver, and he's somewhat confused by Zoris' manipulation. Zoris always appears pitiful, and laments about her bitter life and the hostilities she has received from others. Ken’s heart melts, and he believes she is as innocent as a lamb. However, her true nature gradually reveals itself and she starts feeling dissatisfied with his kindness. Then, it's time for Ken to stop being an easy target of manipulation. Professor Grant's advice comes into play: Ken needs to transform into a smart Matcher, maintain a distance from and avoid being fooled by Zoris.

In summary, this example demonstrates the psychological battle between Givers and Takers. Ken goes through a process of being deceived, realizing Zoris's true nature, and finally saying no and transforming into a Matcher. Although in "Saltburn," the Taker ultimately triumphs over the Matcher, this doesn’t happen that easily in real life.