Beyond Furiosa: Why Anya Taylor-Joy’s Performance in Thoroughbreds is a Must-Watch

From the moment she appeared in Robert Eggers’ The Witch, Anya Taylor-Joy established herself as a magnetic force in cinema. With recent powerhouse roles in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and Dune: Part Two, she has solidified her status as one of the most versatile actresses of her generation. However, amidst the blockbuster hype, there is a hidden gem in her filmography that many viewers have overlooked: the 2017 psychological thriller, Thoroughbreds.

A Unique Blend of Dark Humour and Psychopathy

Directed by Cory Finley in his feature debut, Thoroughbreds is far from your typical crime mystery. While many films attempt to portray the “psychopathic teenager” trope, this movie avoids caricatures, instead offering fleshed-out characters trapped in a highly heightened, atmospheric suburban reality.

The film thrives because of its nuanced depiction of female complexity. Finley manages to write women who are believable, intricate, and occasionally terrible, avoiding the common pitfalls of male-driven narratives. In many ways, the depth of these characters is comparable to the haunting portrayal of Dani Arbor in Ari Aster’s Midsommar.

The Deadly Bond: Lily and Amanda

Set in the affluent suburbs of Connecticut, the narrative follows an unlikely pairing:

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• Lily (Anya Taylor-Joy): A popular, polished student who hides a turbulent home life.
• Amanda (Olivia Cooke): An emotionally detached outcast who lacks the ability to feel traditional emotions.

When Lily agrees to tutor Amanda, they form a bond based on their mutual alienation. This friendship takes a dark turn when Amanda proposes a cold, calculated plan: killing Lily’s abusive stepfather, Mark. What starts as a disturbing suggestion soon becomes a shared mission, driven by a ticking clock as Lily is threatened with enrollment in a behavioural boarding school.

Redefining the “Dark Female Friendship”

Unlike cult classics like Heathers, which lean heavily into satire and comedy, Thoroughbreds relishes the genuine darkness of its protagonists’ bond. The film explores affection through the lens of violence and loyalty, creating a fascinating character study similar to the chilling motivations found in Gone Girl.

The brilliance of the film lies in its refusal to judge its characters. It presents women as irredeemable monsters without apology, a refreshing choice in a modern cinematic landscape that often sanitizes female antagonists.

Final Verdict

If you are a fan of Anya Taylor-Joy or simply love a tight, 93-minute mystery with sharp writing and colourful, unsettling characters, Thoroughbreds is essential viewing. It is a masterclass in tension and a testament to the chemistry between Taylor-Joy and Olivia Cooke.

We want to hear from you! Have you seen Thoroughbreds? How do you think it compares to Anya Taylor-Joy’s more recent roles? Share your thoughts in the comments below!