'Thoroughbreds' Q&A | Olivia Cooke, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Cory Finley

Olivia Cooke, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Cory Finley discussed Thoroughbreds after a special sneak preview screening at the Film Society of Lincoln Center. Moderated by Vulture's Angelica Jade Bastién.

Childhood friends Lily (Anya Taylor-Joy) and Amanda (Olivia Cooke) reconnect in suburban Connecticut after years of growing apart. Lily has turned into a polished, upper-class teenager, with a fancy boarding school on her transcript and a coveted internship on her resume; Amanda has developed a sharp wit and her own particular attitude, but all in the process of becoming a social outcast. Though they initially seem completely at odds, the pair bond over Lily's contempt for her oppressive stepfather, Mark, and as their friendship grows, they begin to bring out one another's most destructive tendencies. Their ambitions lead them to hire a local hustler, Tim (Anton Yelchin), and take matters into their own hands to set their lives straight.

The Film Society of Lincoln Center is devoted to supporting the art and elevating the craft of cinema. The only branch of the world-renowned arts complex Lincoln Center to shine a light on the everlasting yet evolving importance of the moving image, this nonprofit organization was founded in 1969 to celebrate American and international film. Via year-round programming and discussions; its annual New York Film Festival; and its publications, including Film Comment, the U.S.’s premier magazine about films and film culture, the Film Society endeavors to make the discussion and appreciation of cinema accessible to a broader audience, as well as to ensure that it will remain an essential art form for years to come.

[HitoKunioka]

I wish they touched on Erik Friedlander's score a bit. The music in this was pretty great.

[IsaacRM]

I'm a simple man, i see Anya on the title, i click on it

[sanjayarman]

Great Q&A and review of
“Thoroughbreds”!
Congrats on Cory Finley’s directorial debut.
Anya Taylor-Joy, my favorite new artiste, always does a spectacular acting performance, such as she did with “Split”, with her facial expressions and she had a splendid use of space with her positioning, which made up for any bland plot areas.
Great casting choices for this film!
When the stepfather confronts Lily while Amanda was hiding, he displays his deeper nature for the first time. Amanda later tells Lily that her stepdad is not bad as she let on. This showed a side of Lily’s slightly callous character as well. Lots of subtle twists.
Slight Spoiler:
I know that the ending is shown similarly to the real play that had the last scene (the two ladies in the living room) where the camera is fixed on the couch and not showing what Lily does upstairs. So, perhaps the very last scene as well did not deviate from the original storyline.
The music is very unique and enhances the intensity. Anton Yelchin sadly does his last appearance as an actor, and Olivia Cooke acted well as a stoic character lacking emotions, but we discover that she does have hidden feelings that come out later.
For me, Anya stole the show!
I am very impressed with Cory Finley’s directorial film debut.
Splendid job from the whole team!
~ Dr. Sanjay Kumar

[maxsilbert]

I feel like the interviewer evokes Lily's emotional and intellectual facade in the movie lol

[alarmfire]

anya and olivia, lovely as always. love my murderous gfs

[drennyvision]

I wish they had shown the murder only because the stepfather is very dismissive of Lily. The comment he makes about her no longer being on his payroll after this stint in school and other things he does show how little he values her and I REALLY wanted to see the moment where he realized that the person he values the least is the Most important and person he has to BEG for his life.

[geokowalski]

I didn't think the interviewer was that bad

[garydell]

I just got around to watching this movie and frankly I don't see where the humor is. to me it was pointless but at the same time the characters were magnetic keeping me interested in it enough to watch it through. The violence was kept at a minimum yet it kept my attention. Of course l checking out Anya and the other actress helped. Good director. Had I directed it it would have shown the ladies, the jerk father figure. I would of had him shot right off the bat! "Cut! Checking the gate. It's a take. That's it for today." Very short movie!