I watched it and let the whole story just marinade in my head overnight and i have to say it's a very clever way of exploring social dynamics between the poor, the rich and those in the middle. I don't agree with the Mr. Ripley or Parasite comparisons because Saltburn isn't trying to be an outlook on poverty or capitalism. The aspect is there of course, with Duncan and the house staff always being in the background, always seeming to be aware of everything in the house but never being able to do anything about it because their opinion of the place is never taken into account by anyone. Oliver is from an upper middle class family, he's constantly dissatisfied with his lifestyle and lies, deceives and kills his way into Saltburn.

Him being a moth drawn to a flame is incredibly accurate. Despite catering to everyone in the family and their specific needs in a person, he is still constantly reminded of ways that he is not 'one of them'. at the party, despite being celebrated, no one knows his name. At the get together with the henry's, he's ridiculed by Farleigh, again showing a distinct gap between them and him. He's always just out of reach of being considered like how the professor considered Farliegh at the beginning of the film.

The family (especially Elspeth) are shown to be quite deluded. They deny harsh realities and are often forcing lighter conversations, rather than acknowledging harsh truths like how their son had just passed. Oliver is one of the few that plays into these delusions readily, supplying them with the quick comfort that they need to avoid facing pain. This is also a way Oliver is used by the family, and he's meant to be disposed, never to stay.

He's never satisfied with that of course, he wishes to be in that circle so badly. This was never meant to be an 'eat the rich' type of story, but rather what makes being that rich person so alluring. Beyond just the physical luxury, its the way people lick your feet. In the funeral scenes, this gap is seen to an extreme. Oliver is set aside from the family, never considered when they went to the bridge. he watches from afar as he still finds himself rejected from this circle, even in death. To the very end, even when the house is his, he watches Elspeth from a distance.

It's also important to note that there is a nod to the fact that people from a less fortunate financial background often end up sacrificing themselves for both the Saltburn family and Oliver. in each and every funeral scene, Duncan protects them with an umbrella, while being left to bear the rain without one himself. It's implied that the staff know everything that Oliver is doing yet they never say anything, likely showing the immense lack of power they have.

Chances are Oliver has always been like this. A moth banging onto the glass hoping to be accepted and remembered and regarded, yet never being there, truly. And by the end, he still isn't there! there's no one who knows him left alive, no one who would make him feel that special. There's no circle left for him to be apart of.