Thoroughbreds (2017)

Initially, the main reason that I wanted to see this film was because of Anton Yelchin, may he rest in peace.  This is his last movie to be released in theaters.  He passed away in 2016.  This movie was completed in 2017 and finally released last weekend, almost 2 years after his death.

This is a limited release film that sort of fell through the cracks.

Thoroughbreds is about two upper-class teenage girls who find themselves plotting and scheming to get what they want in their troubled home-life.

The movie was written and directed by Cory Finley and the noteworthy cast includes Olivia Cooke, Anya Taylor-Joy, Anton Yelchin, and Paul Spark.

Thoroughbreds is a unique movie in a lot of ways.  It is a well-written, dialogue driven thriller.  There is a naturally chilling pace to the story.  Everything seems relevant.  It does not try too hard to impress and therefore, is impressive.  The story is just told with precise timing.  Even the cinematography was tactful and articulate in an almost, but not quite, Hitchcockian manner.  This movie did not just go through the motions.  It was premeditated and executed beautifully.

The soundtrack, although odd at times, matched the disturbing nature of the story.

Thoroughbreds was an opportunity for a couple of mostly small screen, lesser known actors to show their worth and carry a film themselves.  They all showed that they were up to that task.  I feel like they were quite successful in making the transition from small screen to big screen right before our very eyes.  Olivia Cooke, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Paul Sparks were all superb.  Olivia Cooke’s performance especially stood out.  I guarantee that all three of these actors will start popping up all over the place in the near future.

I think that it is an odd coincidence that Anton Yelchin plays a troubled character in each of his last three films before he died.  I also still think it was quite suspicious the way that he died.

I always enjoyed Anton as an actor and it seemed as if he had a very bright future ahead of him.  It is a shame to see such a nice personality lost to this world, far too soon at the young age of 27.  He had been acting for 16 years.  He successfully bridged the gap from kid actor to adult actor and had the potential for so much more.  He will be missed.

Thoroughbreds would probably have been more successful if it were released years ago.  Today’s audiences do not have the attention span for real filmmaking anymore, it seems.  This is the unfortunate truth.  The depth of this movie will likely not be appreciated by many for what it actually is, a diamond in the rough.

I rate this movie an 8 on a scale of 1-10.

If you liked this film then you might also enjoy:

Violet & Daisy (2011)

Heathers (1988)

A Perfect Murder (1998)

Dial M for Murder (1954)

Bully (2001)