Jacob Elordi slams 'prudish' reaction to 'Saltburn' bathtub scene: 'There's far more extreme things in cinema'

Jacob Elordi criticizes 'prudish' response to Saltburn scene

Jacob Elordi has spoken out about the public's response to the infamous bathtub scene in Emerald Fennell’s 2023 thriller Saltburn. The actor, who now stars in Frankenstein, shared his thoughts during a conversation with Entertainment Weekly's Awardist podcast.

Public reaction to the scene

The scene — in which Oliver (played by Barry Keoghan) secretly watches Felix (Elordi) and then drinks his bathwater — sparked widespread debate online. It even led to the creation of a viral “Jacob Elordi’s Bathwater” candle.

Elordi’s take on the controversy

“I actually think it shows me just how prudish we are,” Elordi said, observing that he has seen “far more extreme things in cinema, far more graphic.”

He argued that many viewers readily accept disturbing acts of violence in films and television but react strongly to depictions of sexual acts. This, he suggested, points to an ongoing cultural discomfort with sexual expression on screen.

“There’s more alarming things in the top 10 streamed remakes of crime documentaries on every streaming platform,” Elordi noted.

Context in modern cinema

According to Elordi, the audience’s shock over the Saltburn scene highlights a selective form of sensitivity — one that tolerates violence but flinches at intimacy. For him, that imbalance exposes a lingering prudishness in modern film audiences.

Author’s summary: Elordi suggests that society’s discomfort with sexual scenes in films like Saltburn reveals a deeper double standard when compared to its tolerance for violence in entertainment.

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Entertainment Weekly Entertainment Weekly — 2025-11-07

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