Saltburn fans are being urged to watch this cult classic Netflix thriller

Simon Kelly

It’s got an all-star cast.

Saltburn has undoubtedly been a global phenomenon since its release and now fans of the movie are looking for something similar to sink their teeth into.

Luckily for them, there’s a perfect film in the nature of Saltburn available to watch right now on Netflix – The Talented Mr. Ripley.

Based on the 1955 novel of the same name by Patricia Highsmith, the movie has an all-star cast and combines similar themes to Emerald Fennell’s 2023 film, such as high society, manipulation and obsession.

Saltburn fans are being urged to watch this cult classic Netflix thriller

Starring Jude Law, Matt Damon and Gwyneth Paltrow, The Talented Mr. Ripley focuses on the story of con artist Tom Ripley, who is tasked with convincing a rich playboy named Dickie Greenleaf to return home to America from Italy.

However, when his plan fails, Ripley goes to extreme measures and falls into a world of criminality and obsession.

Cate Blanchett and Philip Seymour-Hoffman also feature in supporting roles (with the latter playing a suspicious character very similar to Saltburn’s Farleigh).

The film was a box office smash, retaining a strong 85% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Talented Mr. Ripley

With the film focusing on the obsession Ripley has for his wealthy friend and the lengths he goes to in order to get what he wants, it’s clear to see why the 1999 flick is getting compared to the Barry Keoghan-starring dark comedy.

There’s also an Irish connection involved in the mix, as the story is set to be adapted again this year into a Netflix series, Ripley, starring Andrew Scott as the central character.

The series also stars Johnny Flynn as Dickie Greenleaf and Dakota Fanning as Marge Sherwood, who grows suspicious of Tom’s dark motives.

Despite its similarities, Saltburn director Fennell has played down comparisons between the films, saying it wasn’t one of her reference points.

“Do you know what? It actually wasn’t really [something I was thinking about],” she told Radio Times.

“I mean, obviously Highsmith is one of my absolute favorites, but I think that I was sort of looking more at that British Country House tradition of The Go-Between and that sort of specific British…sort of Joseph Losey, where class and power and sex all kind of collide in one specific place.”

But if you’re looking to scratch your Saltburn itch, The Talented Mr. Ripley is definitely a good place to start.

Ignoring the connections, it’s a great psychological thriller worth watching in preparation for the upcoming Andrew Scott-led series.

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