A directorial debut turned into a haunting final performance for a rising star
In short: Cory Finley’s 2017 black comedy thriller Thoroughbreds explores the chilling alliance between two suburban teenagers plotting a murder. Beyond its dark narrative, the film serves as a poignant cinematic legacy, marking the final U.S. screen appearance of Anton Yelchin, who tragically died shortly after production wrapped in mid-2016.
Thoroughbreds follows Lily, played by Anya Taylor-Joy, and Amanda, played by Olivia Cooke, two estranged friends in Connecticut who reconnect over a shared desire to eliminate Lily’s stepfather. Amanda, who claims to lack emotional capacity due to a mental disorder, serves as a cold, analytical partner to Lily’s increasingly volatile ambition. The film, which Finley originally conceived as a stage play, was acquired by B Story and June Pictures, leading to a production that utilized various Massachusetts locations including Cohasset and Wellesley.
The film’s production concluded on June 5, 2016, just 14 days before Anton Yelchin’s accidental death. Yelchin, who played the drug dealer Tim, was remembered by Finley as a delightful, knowledgeable collaborator who possessed a deep passion for film noir. His performance is central to the film’s tense atmosphere, and the final project is dedicated to his memory. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2017 under the title Thoroughbred, before being retitled Thoroughbreds for its wide release in March 2018.
Critically, the film was well-received, earning an 87% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Reviewers frequently highlighted the strength of the screenplay and the lead performances. Despite its artistic success, the film was a modest financial performer, grossing $3 million against a $5 million production budget. The narrative concludes with a haunting reflection on vanity and human nature, framed through a letter from Amanda, who is institutionalized for the crime, imagining a future where horses reclaim a world abandoned by humanity.
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