The psychological thriller Thoroughbreds is a witty and novel exploration of sociopathy. The story is about two teen daughters of the Connecticut super-rich: Amanda (Olivia Cooke – so good in Me and Earl and the Dying Girl) and Lily (Anya Taylor-Joy). Although the girls have known each other since early childhood, it turns out that Amanda’s mom, at her wit’s end, has paid for a “play date” with Lily. This seems like a mismatch, but the two bond and then scheme to murder Lily’s odious step-father, Mark.
Amanda admits that she doesn’t feel emotions. That being said, she is very perceptive and self-aware about her lack of feelings. Although she has an Asberger’s affect, she has learned to mimic emotional behavior. Amanda has shocked the community with a disturbing act and has been socially ostracized.
Lily, on the other hand, is at first glance a normal teen – normal for the over-privileged, that is. It turns out that she has her issues, too. In the film’s biggest understatement, one girl says to the other, “empathy not your strong suit”.
Thoroughbreds is the writing and directing feature debut for Cory Finley. Although it has its obvious similarities to psychological thrillers in the vein of Strangers on a Train, this film is not so much about the plot as an exploration of these two personalities Finley has taken two types of sociopaths and combined them into a very original match-up. For example, one of the girls is definitely a very high-functioning borderline personality – but she’s not the one who has been diagnosed as such.
As we are immersed in the story, we focus less about whether they’re going to kill Mark and more on which girl is more disturbed.
Both Cooke and Taylor-Joy deliver fine performances. The late Anton Yechin appears in a very funny role as the Connecticut suburbs’ bumbling bottom-feeder.
Paul Sparks is excellent as the repellent step-dad Mark. In Mark, Finley has crafted a character who excels in business and his many hobbies (riding, tennis, kendo), each of which he pursues obsessively. He is the only character who has a very clear and accurate analysis of Lily’s personality. Mark is the guy who outsiders would see as a high-achiever in many fields, even though he’s gone beyond the pale with his mega-rowing machine and monthly juice purges. But once we see his domination and control of Lily’s mom and the creepy sexual undertones of his relationship with Lily, we want him to go.
I had been eager to see Thoroughbreds since I first watched this deliciously noirish trailer. It was worth the wait. Thoroughbreds is a very promising calling card by Cory Finley.