Thoroughbreds (2018)
2018
90 Minutes
Two teenage girls in suburban Connecticut rekindle their unlikely friendship after years of growing apart. In the process, they learn that neither is what she seems to be, and that a murder might s...
User Review
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Thoroughbreds is a thorough teen thriller that was thoroughly intense. As I watch more films and let my film taste grow as an amateur critic, dabbling into indie contemporary productions most certainly impress me more than big budget blockbusters. Now, nearly two years after it finished production, we are finally able to watch this riveting quirky thriller. A pair of dysfunctional friends, one part of a wealthy family and the other unable to feel emotions, plot to murder their stepfather who treats her family with disgust. A directorial debut for Finley and what a promising start! He is able to articulately blend genres together and still create a coherent story that delivers on thrills. A narrative that is split into segments, with each chapter dynamically changing genre. Quirky drama, teen flick, psychological study and then pure thriller, each of the four chapters are uniquely defined by what they portray. Put them together, and a story that illustrates the similarities of rich pretentious lifestyles with psychological weaknesses starts to shine through the absurdly surreal directing style. Fascinatingly intricate long takes through the lavish mansion mixed in with gradual zoom ins where the background noise takes precedent, it lured me in immediately. After all, I'm a sucker for an indie flick. Cooke was perfect for playing a monotone unemotional teen, a character that I strangely related to. She complimented Taylor-Joy's uptight role to create an interesting chemistry that felt just right. In what was Yelchin's final role, his performance was just as captivating. Cinematography was gorgeous, production design was excellent which definitely highlights the lack of taste that wealthy individuals are common for. The standout though was Friedlander's score, consisting of an unusual cacophony of instruments that make strange noises. It most definitely suited the abstract aesthetics of the film. As the chapters progressed, Finley loses his quirky charm as it descends into typical genre tropes. Also the ending was underwhelming given the unpredictable nature, however an outstanding debut for sure.1 member likes this review.
