The recently released trailer for the highly anticipated 2026 Netflix series has viewers buzzing about a specific character—and it’s not Tommy Shelby himself. Many are now wondering if anyone can match the impact of Shelby’s iconic performance. The answer might lie in Barry Keoghan’s latest role, as Shelby’s son, Duke.
The movie Saltburn, currently rated 71% on Rotten Tomatoes and 7.0 on IMDb, features Barry Keoghan as Oliver, a character who subtly destroys a wealthy family from within. Seeing Keoghan’s performance now feels like a chilling foreshadowing of the intense psychological battle between Tommy and Duke in their upcoming film.
Saltburn Proved Barry Keoghan Can Destroy a Dynasty From the Inside
If you didn’t see Emerald Fennell’s most talked-about film, Saltburn, be prepared for something dark, dramatic, and intense. The movie centers around Barry Keoghan’s character, Oliver Quick, a shy college student who pretends to befriend a rich classmate, Felix (played by Jacob Elordi), to gain access to his family’s grand estate.
Oliver isn’t a powerful figure in this story – he doesn’t rely on force or intimidation. Instead, he uses a subtle but effective strategy: he carefully watches people, figures out their flaws, and then systematically dismantles their lives. The story is set in the mid-2000s, a time when it was still possible to create a new identity and escape your past, before smartphones made that much harder.
I’ve always been struck by how Oliver manages to get what he wants. He cleverly exploits the family’s lack of real connection by inventing a sad story about his childhood – a completely made-up tale of a difficult upbringing. They’re so incredibly bored with their own lives that they practically devour this working-class tragedy, seeing him as some sort of fascinating, unusual creature. It’s a bizarre tactic, really, but this complete fabrication acts as perfect camouflage, allowing him to waltz right into their lives and gain access he wouldn’t otherwise have.
Oliver is truly frightening because of his careful, watchful, and subtle approach. This slow, calculated manipulation makes the complete downfall of this strong family feel realistic. He expertly hides in plain sight until it’s too late for anyone to intervene.
The movie’s visuals brilliantly capture its unsettling and claustrophobic atmosphere. The camera work uses a narrow screen format, making the grand estate feel like an elaborate prison. The mansion is a confusing labyrinth filled with endless hallways, oddly colored staircases, and bizarre doors and windows, adding to the sense of being trapped.
The film uses very tight shots, focusing on small details like sweat or nervous movements, which makes the audience feel like they’re intruding on something private and uncomfortable. The director, Fennel, is skilled at visual storytelling, using strong imagery and color. The lighting specifically highlights the contrast between the wealthy characters’ glamorous public image and the unpleasant truth of their motives.
The film begins with vibrant, cheerful summer scenes – bright days and lively parties on a large lawn. But this quickly shifts to a darker, more claustrophobic atmosphere within the house. You can almost feel the heat and stickiness of those summer gatherings, creating a strange mix of beauty and unease – like a vivid, slightly disturbing dream.
The wealthy family sees Oliver as a simple charity case, completely unaware of the serious threat he actually poses. Keoghan perfectly captured the essence of a convincing liar, delivering a flawlessly deceptive performance. This highlights his talent for portraying characters who seem harmless until they cause significant destruction. It’s a masterful strategy for dismantling a seemingly invincible family.
Oliver Quick’s Real Power Lied In Psychological Warfare
What sets him apart is his incredible ability to convey emotion through quietness, a skill Shelby characters often possess. Unlike Oliver, who revealed his evil plans through dramatic outbursts and speeches, this character communicates everything with just a lingering, unsettling gaze.
Keoghan creates a chilling atmosphere not through loud outbursts, but by remaining completely still and unreadable. This unnerving tactic leaves everyone else on edge, desperate to fill the quiet. He doesn’t dominate the family with theatrics; instead, he subtly connects with each person by understanding and reflecting what they want.
Oliver expertly manipulates both the lonely daughter and her bored mother. He gives the daughter the focused attention she desperately wants, and showers the mother with constant compliments. He’s a skilled listener, changes his behavior to match their feelings, and carefully plans his moves. The famous scene in the bathroom perfectly illustrates his deep-seated desire to control them.
The film lingers on stark details – cold porcelain and murky, soapy water – during a disturbing scene that viewers quickly understood. The character intensely desires to take on the advantages and attractiveness of his wealthy counterpart. Rather than simply portraying envy, Saltburn and its protagonist, Oliver, transform this longing into something deeply unsettling and repulsive.
He celebrated his win in a strange and unsettling way, making it clear he’d completely taken control. He brazenly danced naked through the vast, empty mansion, casually handling its valuable antiques. He dropped any pretense of being meek, fully embracing the identity of those he’d overthrown. It was a cold, self-assured victory that lingers in your mind long after the music stops.
This performance moves beyond simply praising him as a good actor, highlighting his remarkable talent for portraying such a complex and disturbed character. While we’re still discovering the full depth of Duke Shelby’s personality, it’s hard not to see echoes of the actor himself in the character, particularly in his unsettling, expressionless blue eyes.
Duke Shelby May Be Even More Dangerous
This intense and unpredictable behavior is clearly linked to his next part in the upcoming crime thriller. Unlike his previous character, he isn’t an outsider looking in. He’s actually a member of the family, sharing the same aggressive tendencies that created their criminal organization.
His family history makes his newfound power very unstable. In the latest season, Tommy discovers he has an illegitimate son, which dramatically alters the story and the future of the Shelby family. However, the show hasn’t fully explored Duke’s involvement and how much he’s connected to the criminal underworld.
The trailer reveals Duke now leads his former crew with a wild, lawless style, almost like the country has been thrown back to 1919. He’s completely rejected his father’s rules and doesn’t care about order, which makes him easily manipulated by dangerous, far-right groups trying to exploit the war and divide the nation.
The gritty, industrial streets of 1940s Birmingham will be the backdrop for a more intense and violent season. Keoghan excels at portraying chaos, and with Tommy Shelby back from exile and entering the conflict, viewers can anticipate either a dramatic showdown or a deeply emotional reunion.
Fans of Peaky Blinders see Tommy Shelby as incredibly powerful and seemingly unbeatable. But they often ask who could possibly challenge him without appearing foolish. The answer lies in his remarkable ability to control a room simply with his intense gaze.
Emerald Fennell, the director of Saltburn, has described Barry Keoghan as incredibly captivating. She noted his unique ability to project a compelling mix of sex appeal, vulnerability, and a certain darkness, along with a strong physical presence.
It’s difficult to achieve the quiet, commanding presence that Murphy is known for, but Keoghan’s performance in Saltburn demonstrates he’s capable of the same. He delivers a powerful, emotionally resonant performance, similar to what audiences have seen in his other roles, including his portrayal of the Joker in The Batman. This makes him uniquely suited to take on and redefine this iconic character.
We’ll have to wait until the release of Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man on March 6, 2026, to see if Keoghan’s character, Duke, is following in his father’s footsteps or forging his own path. But Keoghan is already known for playing subtly menacing characters, which makes his addition to the Peaky Blinders world alongside Tommy Shelby particularly exciting.
Found an error? Send it so it can be corrected.
Read More
- MLBB x KOF Encore 2026: List of bingo patterns
- eFootball 2026 Jürgen Klopp Manager Guide: Best formations, instructions, and tactics
- Overwatch Domina counters
- 1xBet declared bankrupt in Dutch court
- Gold Rate Forecast
- Magic Chess: Go Go Season 5 introduces new GOGO MOBA and Go Go Plaza modes, a cooking mini-game, synergies, and more
- eFootball 2026 Starter Set Gabriel Batistuta pack review
- Clash of Clans March 2026 update is bringing a new Hero, Village Helper, major changes to Gold Pass, and more
- Brawl Stars Brawlentines Community Event: Brawler Dates, Community goals, Voting, Rewards, and more
- eFootball 2026 Show Time Worldwide Selection Contract: Best player to choose and Tier List
2026-02-22 16:08