Thoroughbreds (2017)

Directed by Cory Finley. Starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Olivia Cooke, Anton Yelchin, Paul Sparks, Francie Swift, Kaili Vernoff. [R]

Jet black comedy-thriller about a couple of teenage upper-crusters (one of whom acknowledges herself to be an emotionless sociopath) who hatch a murder plot together. The diabolical rhythms and peculiar dynamic between the leads provide plenty of surface pleasures, though the story lacks a persuasive attitude or theme, and can’t suitably answer the question of what links these two cold, amoral creatures. Its packaging is ruthless, but very little lingers. Cooke impresses as the empathy-free half, who makes a calculated choice near the end that shouldn’t be startling (but is). Stylishly photographed by Lyle Vincent, with effectively unnerving avant-garde music from Erik Friedlander. Co-produced by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash; playing a pathetic drug dealer who’s blackmailed into helping the girls, this was Yelchin’s final film role.

67/100