5 Sexy Dark Academia Movies to Get Your ‘Saltburn’ Fix

The 2023 psychological thriller Saltburn has left audiences in a chokehold due to the movie’s deliciously dark twists, shallow portrayal of the wealthy, and shocking sex scenes. Want more where that came from? Well, you came to the right place.

Emerald Fennell, while great at what she does, isn’t the first filmmaker to play with these themes. In fact, Saltburn is filled with tropes that have been seen and well-explored in movies that came before it.

The other movies may not feature bathroom drain cum-guzzling as Barry Keoghan quickly became known for in his shameless performance, but they do offer their fair share of sexy times set to the background of the dark academia scene.

Daddy’s money, plaid skirts, and shallow manners… Here are five sexy dark academic movies to get your fix after watching Saltburn.

• Cruel Intentions

  Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ryan Phillippe star in this 1999 romantic drama about two rich high schoolers attempting to seduce their fellow peer into dropping her virginity pledge because of their own self interests. With plenty of sex and a sprinkle of death, this movie is sure to quench the Saltburn thirst.

  Where to stream cruel intentions

• Kill Your Darlings

  Based on a true story, Kill Your Darlings follows literary scholars Allen Ginsberg (Daniel Radcliffe), Lucien Carr (Dane DeHaan), and Jack Kerouac (Jack Huston) through their early interactions and the murder of David Kammerer (Michael C. Hall). The tale is filled with jealousy, unrequited love, and dark obsession. Sounds familiar?

  where to stream kill your darlings

• The Riot Club

  A secret society filled with rich students at Oxford University? What could go wrong? The 2014 British thriller follows two first-year students who join an exclusive club and find themselves embarking on a lifestyle filled with drugs, alcohol, and sex.

  stream the riot club on tubi

• The Falling

  Florence Pugh and Masie Peters play best friends Abbie and Lydia in this 2014 drama. The movie opens with a major loss and follows Lydia as she grieves, and begins to suffer from a mysterious illness. Dark and twisted, the sex scenes in this movie aren’t necessary sexy… but the same could be said at times for Saltburn?

  where to stream The Falling

• Heavenly Creatures

  Heavenly Creatures is a classic! The dark drama starring Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynskey follows two teenagers who forge a close bond over their shared love of a fictional character. But when their friendship develops into something more, their parents decider to keep them apart. Upset, the two girls decide to do the unimaginable.

  Where to stream heavenly creatures