Thoroughbreds Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two rich girls in Connecticut decide to off a stepfather because…reasons? Then one frames the other because feelings or something.

🍿 Thoroughbreds: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Reconnecting and a Dark Proposition

Amanda, a teenager with a self-diagnosed lack of emotions, reconnects with her former childhood friend, Lily. Lily is a privileged but unhappy young woman living with her mother and overbearing stepfather, Mark. During their awkward re-acquaintance, Amanda learns of Lily’s growing resentment towards Mark.

Plotting the Unthinkable

Amanda, with her detached perspective, subtly encourages Lily to consider drastic solutions to her problem. She suggests that Lily should simply kill Mark, which initially shocks Lily. As Lily’s situation worsens, due to Mark’s controlling behavior and plans to send her away to boarding school, she begins to seriously consider Amanda’s suggestion.

Hiring Tim

The girls attempt to hire Tim, a local drug dealer with a criminal past, to carry out the murder. They blackmail him with compromising information but soon realize he’s unreliable. This forces them to confront the reality of their plan and the potential consequences.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Amanda (Olivia Cooke): A detached and emotionless young woman who reconnects with her childhood friend and suggests a violent solution to her problems.
• Lily (Anya Taylor-Joy): A privileged but resentful teenager who conspires with Amanda to murder her stepfather.
• Tim (Anton Yelchin): A drug dealer blackmailed into participating in Lily and Amanda’s murder plot.
• Mark (Paul Sparks): Lily’s controlling and insensitive stepfather, who becomes the target of the girls’ murderous plan.
• Cynthia (Francie Swift): Lily’s mother who is seemingly oblivious to the strained relationship between Lily and Mark.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Amanda: “I don’t really have feelings about things.” – Amanda matter-of-factly explains her emotional detachment to Lily early in their reunion.
• Amanda: “You cannot hesitate. The only thing worse than being incompetent, or being unkind, or being evil, is being indecisive.” – Amanda lays out her philosophy on decision-making, highlighting her lack of moral qualms.
• Lily: “I think I might want to kill my stepfather.” – Lily confides in Amanda, revealing the dark thought that sets the events of the film in motion.
• Amanda: “It’s about getting away from yourself and focusing on the goal” – Amanda explaining to Lily how to actually commit a murder.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $6,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $3,072,605
• Worldwide Gross: $3,187,255

💥 Thoroughbreds Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so Thoroughbreds isn’t your typical feel-good movie. I went in expecting something dark, but it was even more twisted than I imagined! The dynamic between Amanda and Lily is just…wow. Olivia Cooke completely nailed the whole emotionless thing, it was almost scary. The part where they’re planning the murder and acting so nonchalant about it gave me chills. I loved how the movie just lets you sit with the discomfort. It’s definitely one of those movies that sticks with you long after you’ve watched it. Though, maybe don’t watch it if you’re looking for a pick-me-up!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dark comedies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy psychological thrillers”
  • “Those interested in character studies”
  • “People who appreciate independent films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Animal cruelty (mentioned, but not shown in detail)”
  • “Murder”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Some disturbing content”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “A deliciously dark and unsettling debut from Cory Finley. The performances are captivating, especially Olivia Cooke’s portrayal of an emotionless sociopath. The film’s tension builds expertly, though some may find the slow pace challenging. A unique and disturbing exploration of privilege and detachment.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Thoroughbreds is a stylish and well-acted thriller that subverts expectations. Anya Taylor-Joy and Olivia Cooke deliver compelling performances as two troubled teens. However, the film’s deliberate pacing and lack of overt action may not appeal to all viewers. A smart and unsettling film that lingers in the mind.
• Variety: “Cory Finley’s debut is a sharp and darkly comedic take on the teen thriller. Olivia Cooke and Anya Taylor-Joy excel in their roles, creating a chilling and believable dynamic. The film’s minimalist score and stark visuals enhance the unsettling atmosphere. A must-see for fans of unconventional thrillers.

Audience Reactions

The unsettling atmosphere and the lead actresses’ chilling performances are praised.: Viewers generally agree that the movie is well-acted, stylish, and thought-provoking, despite its slow pace and dark themes.

Many highlighted the strong performances of Anya Taylor-Joy and Olivia Cooke as the movie’s best part.: Many felt the movie was boring, however some viewers praised the dark comedy and character development.

Overall Consensus: Thoroughbreds is a well-acted and stylish thriller that offers a darkly comedic and unsettling look at privilege and detachment, but its slow pace and unconventional narrative may not appeal to all viewers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Thoroughbreds was originally written as a stage play by Cory Finley before he adapted it into a screenplay.”
• “This was one of the last films Anton Yelchin completed before his untimely death. The film is dedicated to him in the end credits.”
• “The film’s score relies heavily on percussion, creating a unique and unsettling atmosphere that complements the characters’ detached emotional states.”

🖥️ How to Watch Thoroughbreds?

Thoroughbreds is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it on Prime Video for purchase or rent. It’s also often available on Apple TV for purchase. Check your preferred streaming service for current availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Thoroughbreds, you might like these similar films:

• Heathers (1988): Shares a darkly comedic tone and explores the themes of teenage angst and societal rebellion, but with a more satirical and over-the-top approach.
• American Psycho (2000): Features a protagonist with sociopathic tendencies and explores themes of wealth, apathy, and violence in a detached, unsettling manner.
• Heavenly Creatures (1994): This movie delves into the dark, intense friendship between two teenage girls that leads to a shocking act of violence, exploring similar themes of obsession and isolation.
• Fresh (2022): A modern movie that explores dark themes of apathy and moral ambiguity set against an affluent background.

🛒 Thoroughbreds Related Products

• Thoroughbreds [Blu-ray]: Own the physical copy of the movie and experience the darkness in high definition.
• The Witch (2015) – Anya Taylor-Joy: Explore another amazing film with Anya Taylor-Joy as main actress
• Thoroughbreds – Movie Poster: Decorate your space with a high-quality poster featuring the film’s striking imagery.
• Olivia Cooke Signed Photo: Get a signed photo of Olivia Cooke

🎧 Soundtrack

Thoroughbreds features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Sila” – performed by The Halluci Nation featuring Tanya Tagaq
• “Original Motion Picture Soundtrack” – performed by Erik Friedlander

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Anya Taylor-Joy learns how to fake cry | Thoroughbreds | CLIP

Ever wonder how actors nail those heartbreaking crying scenes? This clip shows Anya Taylor-Joy learning how to fake cry for Thoroughbreds, and it’s way more technical than I expected! You should definetely check it out.

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