The Riot Club film: Douglas Booth and Sam Claflin defend debauched scenes

The actors say the film - which is based on a fictional version of The Bullingdon Club - does not glamourise immoral behaviour

Douglas Booth stars as Harry in The Riot Club (Press handout)

Stars of The Riot Club Sam Claflin and Douglas Booth have defended the film’s moral message, saying their fictional portrayal of The Bullingdon Club does not glamourise drugs, sex and violent behaviour.

The film, which is released in cinemas on Friday, sees ten members of Oxford University’s prestigious Riot Club descend into moral chaos that leads to a tragic event.

Based on Laura Wade’s 2010 play Posh, Claflin stars as irritating ex-public school boy Alistair while Booth plays vile character Harry.

In the film, the members of the elite club can be seen taking drugs, binge drinking and acting violently towards each other in scenes that are likely to prove controversial.

In one harrowing scene, a female character is intimidated by violent members of the club demanding that she prostitute herself for their sexual gratification.

But Booth and Claflin have defended the scenes, claiming the film does not glamourise the young men’s behaviour.

Booth said the characters do not come across as role models young people would aspire to.

“I don’t’ think they come out looking anything other than twerps. It should provoke thought but I don’t’ think they look clever or attractive when they’re standing there châteaued beyond belief,” he said.

Claflin added he hoped the film would “scare enough people” to prevent them from aspiring to the debauched lives of the boys portrayed in the film.

“A part of it, absolutely, makes that sort of world attractive. But I hope people will see what transpires and quickly realise that it’s not a good idea to get too drunk, to take drugs and what have you,” he said.

“The whole point of it was to tease you into that world and make you think you’d love to be rich and do similar things, but hopefully it will scare enough people.”

The Riot Club is released in the UK on Friday 19 September.

Read more: Why the portrayal of Riot Club toffs is a lot of tosh