10 Movies Like "Saltburn"

Saltburn is not a typical film; its divisiveness plays a huge factor in why it was one of the most talked-about releases of 2023. It's a deeply unnerving, darkly comical tale of a disturbed lead—a young man who becomes obsessed with a fellow student and finds his way into the circle of friends and family. From here on, the audience is loaded with shocking plot twists and several gross-out scenes that keep the audience on the edge. Here is a list of 10 weird movies like Saltburn to watch next.

While dark and often disturbing, Saltburn is also visually stunning; its brisk pacing, clever use of dark humor, and stellar performances render it an engaging watch. The movie draws inspiration directly and indirectly from other celebrated works, mixing and reimagining some familiar tropes and narrative arcs in refreshingly original ways. Fans of Saltburn will be glad to hear about other movies that satisfy similar cravings and find the following titles standing out as some of the best.

Here is a list of 10 movies like Saltburn:

1. The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
2. Parasite (2019)
3. Promising Young Woman (2020)
4. Triangle of Sadness (2022)
5. The Servant (1963)
6. Thoroughbreds (2017)
7. Knives Out (2019)
8. Theorem (1968)
9. Ready or Not (2019)
10. Barry Lyndon (1975)

The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

Director: Anthony Minghella

To kick things off with the most obvious comparison, yes, The Talented Mr. Ripley shares notable similarities with Saltburn. Both films delve into themes of obsession and the desire to emulate one's object of fixation. While 1999's The Talented Mr. Ripley is the most recognized adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's novel, it’s not the only excellent one—1960’s Purple Noon also deserves mention.

Matt Damon delivers one of his finest performances in this titular role, supported by an impressive cast featuring Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Some viewers might feel that Saltburn closely mirrors The Talented Mr. Ripley in its first half, but as it progresses, the 2023 film ventures into intriguing new territory (discussing more would spoil the fun).

Parasite (2019)

Director: Bong Joon-ho

A darkly comedic thriller and social satire that snagged the Oscar for Best Picture, Parasite has received acclaim from all corners (and then some). It's a brilliant fusion of genres and tones—funny, suspenseful, and deeply emotional when needed—and its narrative about two families from drastically different social classes is both captivating and thought-provoking.

Much of Saltburn revolves around its lead character, Oliver Quick, striving to infiltrate the lives of classmate Felix Catton and his affluent family. In contrast, Parasite begins with a less privileged family attempting to penetrate the lifestyle of their wealthier counterparts. Both films skillfully blend comedy, drama, and thriller elements while offering incisive commentary on class disparities.

Promising Young Woman (2020)

Director: Emerald Fennell

Three years before Saltburn hit theaters, Emerald Fennell made waves with her directorial debut in Promising Young Woman—another provocative release from 2020 that sparked plenty of discussion (though perhaps not as much as Saltburn). Its protagonist grapples with a tragic past as the film gradually unveils her history while showcasing her elaborate revenge scheme against a group of men who altered her life forever.

While Promising Young Woman contains elements of dark humor akin to Saltburn, it leans more heavily into serious themes. Nonetheless, it shares a similar energy and unpredictable storytelling style that fans of Saltburn will appreciate—especially if they missed this gem when it first premiered.

Triangle of Sadness (2022)

Director: Ruben Östlund

As seen with films like Parasite and Saltburn, satirical takes on class issues have gained traction in recent years. Triangle of Sadness fits right alongside these films. This lengthy 2.5-hour movie primarily follows passengers and staff aboard a luxury cruise until disaster strikes and shifts the narrative into unexpected territory during its final act.

While it's largely comedic—perhaps even more so than Saltburn—the serious issues it tackles remain relevant today. Although not every aspect is executed flawlessly (with some parts dragging), Triangle of Sadness is undeniably memorable and features moments of brilliance.

The Servant (1963)

Director: Joseph Losey

A classic from the 1960s, The Servant explores class divisions through a dramatic lens rather than satire. The slow-burn narrative focuses on an aristocrat in London who hires a servant under certain expectations—only for power dynamics to shift as the story unfolds.

Though The Servant lacks flashy action or rapid pacing, it captivates with its quiet tension throughout. This film examines class through the lens of someone from a lower social standing entering a lavish world—a theme that remains strikingly relevant six decades later.

Thoroughbreds (2017)

Director: Cory Finley

Clocking in at a brisk 92 minutes, Thoroughbreds presents a straightforward psychological thriller premise executed with finesse. The story revolves around two teenage girls who reconnect after years apart; their friendship rekindles suspicions about each other's lives before they conspire on an ill-advised murder plot.

With numerous twists that are best left unspoiled, Thoroughbreds delivers unpredictability—one of its standout qualities. For those seeking a similar rollercoaster experience to Saltburn's wild ride combined with dark comedy elements, this 2017 film is definitely worth exploring.

Knives Out (2019)

Director: Rian Johnson

Featuring one of the most impressive ensemble casts in recent memory—including Daniel Craig, Ana de Armas, Chris Evans, Toni Collette, Christopher Plummer, and Jamie Lee Curtis—Knives Out showcases Rian Johnson at his most playful and inventive. This blend of dark comedy, thriller, and mystery starts off feeling like a traditional whodunit before taking unexpected turns.

With its array of untrustworthy characters driven by greed, Knives Out critiques upper-class society while addressing themes of avarice and social division in an entertaining manner. Despite their different approaches to similar themes, both Knives Out and Saltburn deliver compelling narratives that resonate with audiences.

Theorem (1968)

Director: Pier Paolo Pasolini

Following The Talented Mr. Ripley, Pier Paolo Pasolini’s Theorem stands out as another older film comparable to Saltburn from a narrative standpoint. This methodical psychological drama explores what transpires within a family after they are visited by a mysterious stranger who seduces each member before vanishing from their lives.

Theorem shares thematic similarities with Saltburn but diverges significantly in pacing and tone—offering a quieter experience compared to Saltburn's flashier style while still maintaining intriguing narrative threads.

Ready or Not (2019)

Directors: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett

While Saltburn may shock viewers with its gross-out moments, it's not strictly classified as horror. However, there are horror films that tackle similar themes while injecting humor—like Ready or Not—a bloody yet often ridiculous horror comedy that prioritizes laughs over scares.

Its premise involves a young woman caught up in bizarre events with her wealthy in-laws during her wedding night; this leads to gore-laden surprises and tense action sequences galore. Without revealing too much about the plot, it would spoil the fun; viewers can expect an exhilarating ride throughout.

Barry Lyndon (1975)

Director: Stanley Kubrick

At first glance, Stanley Kubrick's epic Barry Lyndon may seem worlds apart from Saltburn due to differing genres and its 18th-century setting. Yet if you were to broadly summarize both films’ narratives, each revolves around determined individuals striving to ascend social ladders.

In Barry Lyndon’s case, events unfold over decades featuring a tragic yet sometimes laughable protagonist who invites his own misfortune while never pausing to question his desires or motivations. This epic runs for three hours but captivates with stunning cinematography along with an unexpectedly brisk pace punctuated by compelling action sequences.