The pop icon of the 2000s owes her big comeback to a “crazy” erotic thriller
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The pop icon of the 2000s owes her big comeback to a “crazy” erotic thriller

Posted on by Amelia Pressman

Director Emerald Fennell, left, with actors Barry Keoghan and Jacob Elordi, sitting by a river in swimming trunks, talking to her on the Saltburn set
The eye-catching, dark comedy thriller Saltburn led to a huge boost in the career of a British pop star (Image: Chiabella James/Amazon Prime Video)

Sophie Ellis-Bextor, pop star at the forefront of the ’00s, has had a truly stellar 2024, mounting a massive comeback thanks to the explicit and edgy thriller Saltburn.

“Saltburn” was released on Prime Video on December 22 last year after a limited theatrical run and was quickly devoured by viewers over the holidays.

The film eventually became one of the platform’s most-streamed titles ever, propelling Ellis-Bextor, 45, straight into the social media conversation thanks to its ingenious use of one of her biggest hits.

Their song “Murder on the Dancefloor” was used in the final scene, in which Barry Keoghan’s Oliver, completely naked, dances triumphantly through the halls of Saltburn Manor, immediately cementing the scene in cinema history and sending Ellis-Bextor back up the charts.

And let’s not forget that this was just one of several eyebrow-raising scenes, including one set in a cemetery The Drink bath water…

“It was over Christmas last year, we were at home and we just saw the number of people interacting with the song on streaming and TikTok go crazy,” the star recalled of when he first noticed something happened with her 23-year-old song.

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OUTLOUD music festival at WeHo Pride 2024
Sophie Ellis-Bextor has performed 110 shows this year and has hit the charts again thanks to Saltburn (Image: Getty)

“The year started with an old friend, Murder on the Dancefloor, giving me another spin,” she told the BBC, adding: “To be honest, it was all pretty abstract back then and I think this year it went about turning it around into a reality.’

And that fact was quite special, as the media pointed out that Ellis-Bextor’s 110th show of the year – the longest she has ever done – will air tonight as she hosts a New Year’s Eve disco on BBC One.

To put it in context, Taylor Swift played 83 shows on her massive global Eras Tour this year.

The Groovejet singer is happy to acknowledge the power of Saltburn and the role she played in her comeback.

Murder on the Dancefloor was originally released in December 2001 and peaked at number two before spending 16 weeks in the top 100.

It re-entered the charts after “Saltburn” and the song – a now two-time award-winning smash – peaked at number eight and then again at number two the following week, where it hovered around that mark for another five weeks.

Barry Keoghan at Saltburn (2023).
Lead actor Barry Keoghan performed a confident dance to Ellis-Bextor’s “Murder on the Dancefloor” completely naked in the film (Image: MGM)

All in all, their second chart run, over 20 years later, was even longer, lasting (slightly interrupted) 21 weeks until June.

She also appeared at the Baftas and on The Tonight Show in the US, hosted by Jimmy Fallon.

Ellis-Bextor described how the video went viral on TikTok in an interview with AnOther in October, saying it was “like a magical lightning strike.”

“You know, it’s a pretty great thing, especially with an old friend like Murder on the Dancefloor. “It’s like a second honeymoon.”

She added: “When it first came out, I had to wait until I went on tour to see people’s reactions.” But now, with TikTok, you get an instant insight into the people enjoying your Have music, and that adds even more energy to what you do.”

LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 23: Sophie Ellis-Bextor attends Stop The Shadows 2024, presented by ABLE2UK to highlight loneliness in the disability community, at the Hard Rock Café on January 23, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Using TikTok, the star was able to see fans engaging with and reacting to her music before she embarked on the tour she had to wait for in 2001 (Image: Getty)

And she remains loyal to Oscar nominee Keoghan, 32, for the power of his committed performance.

When asked to choose between him and co-star Jacob Elordi, she replied, “Well, I have to choose Barry. I mean, if it wasn’t for him and his naked dancing…”

“Saltburn,” written and directed by Emerald Fennell, was nominated for two Golden Globes and five Bafta Film Awards.

Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, Alison Oliver, Archie Madekwe and Carey Mulligan also starred.

This image released by Amazon Prime Video shows Barry Keoghan in a scene
She’s happy to recognize Keoghan’s performance in the “extreme” film for her revival (Image: Amazon Prime Video)

While Fennell himself revealed it metro Since she and the cast “went to places that are pretty extreme” before the release, many fans were pleased with the unexpected nature of the film, describing it as “weird and strange” as well as “twisted and dark.”

“Completely uncomfortable film,” praised Rio M on Rotten Tomatoes, while Marianella B quipped: “I don’t get offended easily, so this film was right up my alley.”

Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s New Year’s Eve Disco airs tonight at 11.30pm on BBC One. Saltburn is available to stream on Prime Video.

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