The Riot Club

Main Plot

The Riot Club, directed by Lone Scherfig, centers on an exclusive and hedonistic Oxford University dining club known for its wealthy and privileged members. The film delves into themes of class disparity, entitlement, and moral corruption. The plot follows the initiation of new members into the club, highlighting their descent into reckless behavior and excess. A pivotal event is a lavish dinner at a countryside pub, where the club's debauchery escalates. The members' actions become increasingly destructive, culminating in a violent incident that forces them to confront the consequences of their behavior. The film critiques the insular world of the elite, exposing how their power and influence often shield them from accountability. Throughout the narrative, the tension between maintaining tradition and facing modern ethical standards is palpable. The Riot Club ultimately serves as a stark commentary on the dangers of unchecked privilege and the moral decay that can accompany a life of excess and impunity.

Characters

• Sam Claflin plays Alistair Ryle, an arrogant and privileged student whose actions escalate tensions, leading to a violent and destructive climax at an elite university dining club.
• Max Irons plays Miles Richards, a new member of an elite Oxford University dining club, whose moral compass is tested amidst the group's hedonistic and destructive behavior.
• Douglas Booth plays Harry Villiers, a wealthy and arrogant member of an exclusive Oxford University dining club, whose reckless behavior leads to a night of debauchery and violence.

Ending Explained

In the climactic ending, the elite university dining club's night of debauchery spirals out of control. The members, intoxicated and emboldened by their wealth and status, brutally assault the pub landlord, Chris, after he confronts them about their destructive behavior. The violence leaves Chris severely injured, and the club members face the consequences of their actions. The police arrive, and the club members are questioned. To protect the club's reputation and their own futures, the members conspire to place the blame on Alistair, the newest member, who had shown the most aggression during the assault. Miles, another new member who had been uncomfortable with the club's excesses, is coerced into supporting this narrative. In a pivotal moment, Alistair accepts the blame, understanding that his wealthy background will shield him from severe repercussions. This decision underscores the pervasive influence of privilege and the lengths to which the elite will go to protect their own. Miles, disillusioned and morally conflicted, ultimately decides to leave the club, rejecting its toxic culture. The ending highlights the stark contrast between accountability and impunity, illustrating how the powerful manipulate justice to their advantage. It serves as a critique of the entrenched systems of privilege and the moral compromises individuals make within such environments.