Thoroughbreds 2018
Directed by
Cory Finley
Made by
Focus Features
Plot Summary
Discover the intricate plot of Thoroughbreds (2018). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
The film begins with Amanda (Olivia Cooke) in a stable, tenderly petting her horse, Honeymooner, before she pulls out a knife from her bag. Shortly after, she arrives at the home of her childhood friend Lily (Anya Taylor-Joy) for tutoring. Here, Amanda confesses her emotional struggles, revealing that her inability to feel genuine emotions has pushed her away from Lily, explaining their fractured friendship. To Amanda’s surprise, she learns that her mother has been paying Lily to spend time with her, rather than just teaching her.
Eventually, Amanda meets Lily’s disrespectful stepfather Mark (Paul Sparks), who constantly engages in rowing exercises, much to Lily’s irritation. As they discuss Mark’s unkind nature, Amanda encourages Lily to consider an extreme suggestion: to kill him. Lily dismisses the notion, labeling it as foolish.
The narrative takes a darker turn when a party reveals that Amanda has been accused of mutilating her horse, with scandalous images circulating online. Concurrently, Lily encounters Tim (Anton Yelchin), a troubled figure with a criminal past, at the party. Post-party, Lily learns of her own expulsion from school due to a plagiarism incident, and her life only spirals as Mark, her stepfather, displays further hostility towards her mother, Cynthia (Francie Swift).
Tensions mount when Lily and Amanda discuss the increasingly fraught life situations they find themselves in, ultimately agreeing that Mark must be eliminated. Amanda reveals the heavy burden she carries after having killed her horse to end his suffering, thus exacerbating the dire outlook for her future should she be involved in another crime.
Determined, they devise a plan that involves hiring Tim to commit the murder. However, their scheme twists unexpectedly when Amanda discovers damaging evidence of Tim’s past that they can use to blackmail him into following through with their deadly plot. On the appointed day, as Mark remains alone in their home, an unsettling atmosphere builds. Tim, initially hesitant, fails to take action after Mark discovers the hidden weapon.
Desperation leads Lily to concoct a new plot; after spiking her drink to frame Amanda, a chilling turn of events results in bloodshed. The aftermath sees Lily dolling out disingenuous comfort while concealing her own gruesome secret.
In the conclusion, some time later, Lily navigates a college interview and intercepts Tim, who is unaware of the chaos that has ensued. Their exchange unveils the unraveling of Amanda’s fate; she has been institutionalized, while Lily brushes off an inquiry about a letter from Amanda, suggesting her disconnection from the past.
‘Dedicated to Anton Yelchin.’
Timeline
Track the key events of Thoroughbreds (2018) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Amanda's Morning with Honeymooner
The film opens with Amanda tenderly interacting with her horse, Honeymooner, in a stable. This serene moment is quickly disrupted when she reveals a knife hidden in her bag, hinting at the troubling events to come.
Reunion with Lily
After leaving the stable, Amanda arrives at her childhood friend Lily's home for a tutoring session. During their time together, Amanda opens up about her emotional struggles, expressing how her inability to feel genuine emotions has distanced her from Lily.
Amanda Learns the Truth
To Amanda's shock, she discovers that her mother has been paying Lily to spend time with her rather than provide genuine support. This revelation deepens Amanda's feelings of isolation and highlights the fractured nature of their friendship.
Mark's Disrespectful Behavior
Later, Amanda encounters Lily's disrespectful stepfather, Mark, who is obsessed with rowing exercises. Their conversation reveals Mark's negative attitude, which Lily finds increasingly frustrating and bothersome.
The Dark Suggestion
As they discuss Mark's unkindness, Amanda suggests a radical course of action: to kill him. Though Lily initially dismisses this as absurd, the seed of this dark thought begins to take root in their troubled minds.
Scandal at the Party
At a party, Amanda faces scandal when accusations arise regarding her alleged act of mutilating her horse. This event adds public scrutiny to Amanda's already fragile state and further complicates her relationship with Lily.
Lily's Plagiarism Incident
Following the party, Lily is informed of her expulsion from school due to plagiarism. This setback amplifies her sense of hopelessness, especially with Mark’s escalating hostility towards her mother, Cynthia.
Conspiracy to Commit Murder
In a tense discussion, Lily and Amanda agree that Mark must be eliminated. Amanda reveals her past tragedy of having killed her horse, which adds weight to their secretive and dangerous plot against Mark.
Hiring Tim for the Job
Determined to go through with their dark plan, Amanda and Lily decide to hire Tim, a troubled figure with a criminal history. Their alliance with him leads them to a precarious edge as they manipulate him into committing the murder.
Blackmailing Tim
As their plan unfolds, Amanda uncovers compromising information about Tim's past. This discovery gives them leverage over him, allowing them to blackmail him into carrying out their deadly intentions.
The Day of the Murder
On the critical day, tension fills the air as Mark stays alone at home, unaware of the impending danger. However, when Tim is confronted by Mark, he falters, unable to proceed with the murder as planned.
Lily's Desperate Plan
In a fit of desperation, Lily devises a last-minute scheme to frame Amanda for Mark's murder. After drugging her drink, a series of unexpected and violent events ensue, culminating in tragic bloodshed.
Lily's Deceit
Following the chaos, Lily feigns comfort towards Amanda while hiding the truly horrific reality of what has just occurred. This striking contrast showcases her duplicitous nature.
Aftermath and Amanda's Fate
Some time later, we see the repercussions of the events as Amanda is revealed to have been institutionalized due to the fallout from their heinous actions. Meanwhile, Lily seems detached from the past, refusing to engage in discussions regarding Amanda’s fate.
Lily's College Interview
In the film's closing moments, Lily attends a college interview, symbolizing her attempt to move forward. However, her encounter with Tim highlights the unresolved chaos of their lives, emphasizing both characters' unresolved guilt and loss.
Characters
Meet the characters that bring Thoroughbreds (2018) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Amanda (Olivia Cooke)
Amanda is portrayed as emotionally detached yet deeply troubled, struggling with her inability to feel genuine emotions. Her turbulent past and drastic decisions shape her character as she navigates the complexities of friendship and morality. Her ultimate actions reveal a desperate need for connection, despite the chaos that ensues.
Lily (Anya Taylor-Joy)
Lily embodies a mix of privilege and vulnerability, caught between her tumultuous family life and her complicated friendship with Amanda. Driven by external pressures and her own ambitions, she becomes entangled in dark schemes that challenge her morality. Her character evolves from an innocent student to someone capable of deception and manipulation.
Mark (Paul Sparks)
Mark serves as the antagonistic force in Lily's life, representing the oppressive male authority that breeds resentment. His callous behavior and bullying nature drive Lily and Amanda to consider drastic measures. Mark embodies the frustrations that the female protagonists face as they navigate a world filled with hostility.
Tim (Anton Yelchin)
Tim is portrayed as a troubled figure with a checkered past, caught between his criminal tendencies and the lure of friendship. His involvement in the plot highlights his desperation and vulnerability, ultimately playing a pivotal role in the film's climax. Tim's character challenges the boundaries of morality and complicity.
Setting
Uncover the settings of Thoroughbreds (2018), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
The film's settings reflect modern-day teenage life, with themes of social media scrutiny and contemporary issues. The characters engage in relatable teenage experiences, all while facing darker realities that challenge their morals and friendships.
Location
Stable, Lily's Home, Party Venue
The story unfolds primarily at Lily's home, which serves as a backdrop for the complicated relationship between the two friends. The stable represents a place of connection for Amanda, where her emotional struggles are revealed. A party venue adds tension to the film, showcasing the social dynamics and scandals that affect the characters.
Themes
Explore the core themes of Thoroughbreds (2018). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
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Violence
Violence is a central theme as characters orchestrate and contemplate murder, revealing the depths of their desperation. Amanda's past actions with her horse and the ultimate plot to eliminate Mark expose the harsh realities of their choices. The film delves into the psychological ramifications of their violent thoughts and actions.
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Morality
The struggle between right and wrong permeates the narrative as Amanda and Lily grapple with their decisions. Their discussions about eliminating Mark reflect broader questions of morality and the lengths one might go to escape an intolerable situation. This theme examines the consequences of their choices on their lives and relationships.
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Friendship
The complexities of friendship underscore the film, highlighted by the fractured bond between Amanda and Lily. Their reunion reveals deep-seated emotions and moral dilemmas, ultimately testing their loyalty to one another. The evolution of their relationship reveals how external pressures can twist personal connections.
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