"Thoroughbreds" Movie Review
I usually like movies for the emotional value they can bring to a well told story. In this case, I liked Thoroughbreds so much for it's intentional absence of emotional value.
Thoroughbreds is about reunited friends, Amanda and Lily, who fall on very different sides of the emotional spectrum. When Lily, the one with strong feelings, expresses her disdain for her stepdad, Amanda, the one who has no feelings, suggests planning his murder.
It's a twisted plot that works primarily because of the well-assembled cast. The chemistry between Cook and Taylor-Joy being complete opposites is impeccable, as we watch the evolution of their individual worldviews grow on each other. And this may be one of the final times that we can applaud Anton Yelchin for yet another stand-out performance, playing a struggling drug dealer that gets roped into the girls' scheme.
Then add to that a well-composed cinematography, an eerie soundtrack, and the benefit of unpredictability. But at the core of Thoroughbreds is a fascinating concept: the capacity to both learn and unlearn empathy. It's a movie that can be uncomfortable to process, but like the main characters say: it's only weird if you make it weird.
Acting and Casting - 2 | Visual Effects and Editing - 2 | Story and Message - 2 | Entertainment Value - 2 | Music Score and Soundtrack - 2 | Reviewer's Preference - 2