A 2008 adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's novel Brideshead Revisited, starring Emma Thompson, is being rediscovered by viewers who compare it to the 2023 film Saltburn. The period drama, directed by Julian Jarrold, follows Oxford student Charles Ryder as he is drawn into the world of the aristocratic Flyte family.
The film features a stellar cast including Ben Whishaw, Hayley Atwell, and Matthew Goode. Thompson delivers an eccentric portrayal of the family matriarch. The story explores themes of wealth, privilege, and religious devotion, with Ryder's atheism clashing with the family's devout Catholicism.
Set against the backdrop of Castle Howard in North Yorkshire, the film has been praised for its lush production and cinematography. One Rotten Tomatoes reviewer called it 'brilliant like the book,' while another described it as 'lush, depressing, picturesque, Downton Abbey-ish.'
Despite its quality, the film failed to attract significant media attention or box office success. However, it has gained a cult following over time, with fans calling it a 'hidden gem.' One viewer declared it 'beautiful and moving' with excellent performances.
Brideshead Revisited is available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer.
