Sophie Ellis-Bextor's epic reaction to Barry Keoghan's nude dance in Saltburn

29 December 2023 , 22:03

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Sophie Ellis-Bextor's epic reaction to Barry Keoghan's nude dance in Saltburn

Singer Sophie Ellis Bextor has reacted to her 2001 hit 'Murder On The Dancefloor' being used in the finale of 2023 film Saltburn.

The film, which is one of the latest films to hit Amazon Prime, sees the main character naked dancing to the early noughties hit and now Sophie has reacted to the closing scenes which see her song front and centre alongside actor Barry Keoghan's nudity.

The film follows the journey of Oliver Quick, played by Keoghan, who is struggling to fit in at Oxford University. But he soon forms a connection with aristocrat Felix Catton, played by Jacob Elordi. Felix invites Oliver to his family estate, Saltburn, for a summer that he will never forget. The film ends with Oliver dancing naked through a field after he's destroyed the Catton family and taken their entire estate.

Sophie Ellis Bextor's 2001 hit 'Murder On The Dancefloor' features in the closing final scene of Saltburn (MGM)

In an interview with PEOPLE, Bextor explained: "Seeing it written down as a premise is different. I mean, Barry really went for it. And it's, like, the whole song!"

She added: "Whenever your music's used, you get a little synopsis. This little synopsis described how the character would be dancing, but I didn't have any context. I've got quite a quirky sense of humour anyway, so I was like, I think I have to see how this plays out. I didn't really know exactly how it would play in terms of the role it was in the movie until I saw it at the screening, but I absolutely loved it... I think it's such a clever, funny, smart film."

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The movie has picked up a huge plethora of fans over the Christmas holidays, althugh some have revealed they are 'traumatised' by some of the racier moments. Writer and director Emerald Fennell has come forward to ease the anxiety of fans despite the fact many were left 'scarred' by the bathtub scene and to discuss why she chose to end the movie with Keogh's naked dancing.

Sophie Ellis Bextor has praised Saltburn, as she called it "a clever, funny, smart film" (Getty Images)

Speaking to GQ magazine about the film and her chosen ending, Emerald Fennell explained: "It was always going to be a walk, the exact inverse of Felix's tour [earlier in the film]. But a naked walk. And then about halfway through filming, I just felt it wouldn't have the evil glee. It had to be an act of desecration, an act of territory taking. It's ownership. 'This is f**king mine. I do whatever I want'."

She continued: "It's not going to be, like, the forever victory. It's sort of a depressing victory, even for Oliver. But in that moment, we need to love him. I like the audience to be complicit." When asked if there were any other alternative endings in mind, she replied: "No, no, because I don't really work like that.I think it's a happy ending, [but] the happiest ending [for Oliver] would of course be with him and Felix married, living there together. I think that in his mind, and in my mind, that would be the dream. That dream is not possible. So, therefore, this is the best of a bad bunch of options."

Saltburn is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.

Niamh Spence