Review of The Riot Club

While The Riot Club shows an exaggeration in its message, with its overly distinguished 'posh' accents, penguin suits and outrageous dialogue that may only happen in the cinema, it doesn't flinch in its uncomfortable portrayal of a divide between the elite and the rest. The film centers on a group of 10 pompous, snobby school boys at Oxford, who are enlisted in 'The Riot Club', an exclusive clique that only accepts those with dignified family connections, education and wealth. This conjures up some of the most loathsome characters and behavior, which progressively takes hold in the second half of the film. The views on middle class society shown through the eyes of these drug and alcohol fueled young adults prove to be an infuriating watch, as we see the deep set hatred and prejudice against those who don't live up to their childish standards. The acting is one of the highlights of the film, especially from Sam Claflin, who plays a newly initiated member of the club who shows no hesitance in voicing these perspectives and provoking his fellow 'chaps' to go to extremes to prove their status. The film shows both the extreme ramifications that arise from privileged kids with inflated egos, as well as the corrupt lack of justice due to nonexistent boundaries and excessive money that can buy innocence. Overall, The Riot Club indeed has it flaws, yet ultimately, it is an entertaining and eye-opening message that has effectively and refreshingly addressed a different type of discrimination that continues to exist within societies classes.