10 movies to watch on Netflix if you loved 'Saltburn'

Emerald Fennell’s stylistic drama, Saltburn, has set tongues wagging with its riveting psychosexual twists and gratuitous narrative choices. If you’ve been hit with a particular craving for more, then Netflix (and we) can help scratch that itch.

Far from being a straight-up ‘Eat the Rich’ story, Saltburn explores desire and obsession with a perverse lens on the character of Oliver (Barry Keoghan), a middle-class scholarship kid at Oxford who takes a particular liking to Felix (Jacob Elordi). From grave sex to slurping funky bathwater like it is a raging humiliation kink, Ollie soon reveals he is that friend who wants to be you, not simply be with you.

With Keoghan’s disquieting psychopath at its centre, Saltburn satirises those who often harbour the desire to metaphorically devour the wealthy. Saltburn being spot-on with its aesthetics and recall to early noughties pop culture, may leave you craving for more mindbending psycholsexual thrillers.

With their unflinching portrayals of class inequalities, sexual dynamics, and psychological intricacies, here’s a curated list of ten movies on Netflix to satiate those cravings.

10 movies to watch on Netflix if you loved Saltburn:

The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

The Talented Mr. Ripley had to be the first recommendation on the list as Saltburn has been compared with this Anthony Minghella film the most.

Directed by Minghella, this psychological thriller is based on Patricia Highsmith’s 1955 novel of the same name. The film stars Matt Damon as Tom Ripley, the obsessed, and Jude Law as Dickie Greenleaf, the obsesee. The film follows Ripley’s obsessive journey as he assumes the identity of the affluent Dickie. The film also stars Cate Blanchett and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)

Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, this unsettling masterpiece stars Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, and Keoghan in yet another mind-boggling role.

The film centres on Steven Murphy, a surgeon (played by Farrell), whose life takes a turn when he forms a friendship with a teenage boy, Martin (played by Keoghan). When the Murphys mysteriously start falling ill, the needle of suspicion turns to Martin.

Parasite (2019)

Bong Joon-ho’s Academy Award-winning film, Parasite, weaves a tale of class inequality and family dynamics.

The story follows the impoverished Kim family as they infiltrate the lives of the affluent Park family one by one. What begins as an exploration of the intricacies of social disparity swiftly turns deadly with a darkly comedic edge.

Triangle of Sadness (2022)

Directed by Ruben Ostlund, this satirical drama features Woody Harrelson, Dolly De Leon, Charlbi Dean Kriek, and Harris Dickinson. 

Set against the backdrop of the fashion industry, much of the film takes place on a cruise ship and later on a secluded beach where wealth and gender dynamics quickly shift after disaster hits.

Fair Play (2023)

Chloe Domont had the most promising debut last year as her psychological thriller Fair Play made its flashy premiere at Sundance.

The story follows a newly engaged couple, Emily Meyers and Luke Edmunds (played by Phoebe Dynevor and Alden Ehrenreich), who work at a cutthroat hedge fund. Fair Play begins innocuously enough—with enough signs indicating a bloody outcome. However, an unexpected promotion pushes the relationship to the brink.

Decision to Leave (2022)

This emotionally charged neo-noir romantic mystery follows a screenplay that Chan-wook and Jeong Seo-kyeong skillfully craft.

A married detective, Jang Hae-jun (Park Hae-il), immersed in unravelling the circumstances of a man’s death, finds himself falling in love with the widow of the victim, Song Seo-rae (Tang Wei). As the serpentine mystery unfolds, you can sink yourself into every frame as they pass by like paintings.

Promising Young Woman (2020)

If you want more Saltburn vibes in your life, then turning to Fennell’s directorial debut could help, too.

Promising Young Woman follows Cassie (Carey Mulligan), a med school dropout seeking vengeance for her friend who dies by suicide after a harrowing sexual assault. With its sharp commentary on gender dynamics and societal expectations, Promising Young Woman is an interesting entry into the genre of revenge dramas, no matter how divided the ending leaves you feeling.

Gone Girl (2014)

Directed by David Fincher and based on Gillian Flynn’s novel, this psychological thriller stars Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike. 

As Amy Dunne mysteriously disappears on the day of their fifth wedding anniversary, Nick Dunne finds himself as the prime suspect. The story nearly derailed a true crime investigation, which is covered in the latest Netflix crime documentary, American Nightmare.

A Simple Favor (2018)

Directed by Paul Feig and starring Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively, this mystery-comedy is not quite as heavy of a watch as the other films on the list.

The story of A Simple Favor revolves around the mysterious disappearance of a glamorous woman, Emily Nelson (played by Blake Lively). As Emily’s friend, Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick) starts searching for her, a wild ride awaits viewers.

Lust Stories 2 – The Mirror (2023)

The Mirror, directed by Konkona Sen Sharma, is the second short in the Indian anthology film Lust Stories 2.

Ishita (Tillotama Shome), a graphic designer in her 40s, accidentally discovers her house help, Seema (Amruta Subhash), having sex with her husband (Shrikant Yadav) in her bed. Overcoming her initial shock, Ishita secretly spies on them daily through a mirror. What follows is an exploration of class and desire that is far from sanitised or comforting to sit with but thrilling to navigate nonetheless.