Anya Taylor-Joy and Olivia Cooke in Thoroughbreds (Image © Focus Features)
THOROUGHBREDS: B
Writer/director Cory Finley's impressive debut strikes me as an exploitation film in search of a soul. But that's a good thing. His script and direction perfectly mimic the sociopathic tendencies of his lead characters, who are portrayed precisely by Anya Taylor-Joy and Olivia Cooke, respectively. Anton Yelchin also joins in on the fun in full scene-stealing mode, as he did so often. Thoroughbreds is being compared to other films, but Finley's style doesn't strike me as derivative; especially when it comes to his pitch-black sense of humor and his wonderful use of short-sided cinematography. For better or worse, this 28-year old playwright could be our next Martin McDonagh.
Trevor Dillon
Thoroughbreds
Starring Olivia Cooke, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Anton Yelchin
Written & Directed by by Cory Finley
In Theaters Now