Boris Johnson origin story* The Riot Club promises one long sizzle reel of upper-class miscreance interspersed with trenchant social comment and the odd drinking game. How odd? Well, check out this new clip from the film for a sample. Be warned: this particular sample will turn even the hardiest stomach.
A story of entitlement, privilege and very silly waistcoats adapted by Laura Wade from her own play Posh, The Riot Club takes obvious inspiration from the real-life Bullingdon Club. Director Lone Scherfig denies any direct link between the film’s characters and, say, members of the current government, which is just as well considering the bloody violence that plays out in their wood-panelled club meeting. When a prank goes wrong, the Rioteers are left with some tough choices to make. Judging by the trailer, some of the group will do virtually anything to avoid the consequences.
Pick up the new issue of **Empire **for a full assembly of this Avengers of arrogance. The character-by-character breakdown takes in Douglas Booth’s uber-coiffed fencer Harry Villiers, Sam Claflin’s brainiac Alistair Ryle (one of the victims of this initiation) and Max Irons, retracing his dad’s Brideshead footsteps as tearaway Miles Richards. Sebastian’s teddy Aloysius wouldn’t last five minutes in this company.
The Riot Club is out in the UK on September 19.
*Not really. Our legal team would like us to make that clear.