Five notable films featuring Anya Taylor-Joy: Split, Last Night in Soho, and three more notable productions
Anya Taylor-Joy: A Versatile and Critically Acclaimed Actress
Anya Taylor-Joy, a 28-year-old American actress, has established herself as a force to be reckoned with in the film industry. With a diverse portfolio that spans various genres, Taylor-Joy's career is marked by a conscious selection of challenging roles that have earned her critical acclaim and a reputation as one of the most talented actresses of her generation.
Taylor-Joy's breakout role came in the atmospheric horror film "The Witch" (2015), where she played Thomasin, a character that required intense, haunting performances to portray. This role helped her gain recognition as a "scream queen" [1][2]. She furthered her prominence playing Casey Cooke in M. Night Shyamalan’s psychological thrillers "Split" (2016) and "Glass" (2019), demonstrating her ability to navigate terror and trauma [1][2][3].
In "Thoroughbreds" (2017), Taylor-Joy showcased her skill in portraying morally complex, sinister characters. The following year, she embodied Emma Woodhouse with charm and wit in the period comedy-drama "Emma." (2020) [1][2][4]. Taylor-Joy's versatility was further showcased in "The Northman" (2022), a Viking epic noted for its intense and physical storytelling [1][5].
Taylor-Joy's filmography also includes "The Menu" (2022) and "Last Night in Soho" (2021), both projects reflecting her continued engagement with challenging and genre-blending narratives [1]. Her television work includes "The Queen's Gambit" (2020), which earned her a Golden Globe, marking a critical and popular breakthrough in television [2][4].
Recurring Themes in Taylor-Joy’s Career
- Psychological and atmospheric intensity: Films like The Witch, Split, and Glass emphasize psychological horror and thriller elements, in which Taylor-Joy plays characters coping with trauma, fear, and powerlessness while revealing inner strength.
- Complex femininity and ambiguity: Many of her roles explore morally ambiguous and layered female characters, such as the manipulative teenager in Thoroughbreds and the spirited, independent Emma Woodhouse in Emma.
- Period and genre versatility: From historical settings in Emma and The Northman to contemporary psychological thrillers and supernatural stories, she displays range through a variety of time periods and film genres.
- Character-driven narratives: Her films often focus on deeply personal stories with complex character development, offering her space to showcase nuance and emotional depth.
In "Last Night in Soho", Taylor-Joy plays Eloise, a young and naive woman from the countryside, who moves to London with dreams of becoming a successful fashion designer. The film, directed by Edgar Wright, is a unique experiment in the horror genre, featuring neon aesthetics, music from the past century, and a noir-like atmosphere [6].
In "The Witch", Taylor-Joy plays the character Thomasin in a film set at the beginning of the last century, revolving around four children who move to a remote area after the death of one of the children's mother. The film is a chilling exploration of fear, faith, and family dynamics [3].
Taylor-Joy also starred in "The Bling Ring" (18+), a film about two friends who rekindle their friendship and are willing to kill for it, and "Menu" (18+), a film about a young couple who travel to a remote island to dine at the most exclusive restaurant on the planet, a sharp and rock 'n' roll satire on capitalism and consumer society, directed by Mark Mylod [4][7].
With her diverse and challenging roles, Anya Taylor-Joy continues to captivate audiences and critics alike, solidifying her status as a versatile and critically acclaimed actress.
References:
[1] IMDb. (n.d.). Anya Taylor-Joy. Retrieved June 10, 2023, from https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5248710/
[2] Rotten Tomatoes. (n.d.). Anya Taylor-Joy. Retrieved June 10, 2023, from https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/anya_taylor-joy
[3] The Witch (2015) - IMDb. (n.d.). Retrieved June 10, 2023, from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3897770/
[4] Emma. (2020) - IMDb. (n.d.). Retrieved June 10, 2023, from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6334568/
[5] The Northman (2022) - IMDb. (n.d.). Retrieved June 10, 2023, from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8959538/
[6] Last Night in Soho (2021) - IMDb. (n.d.). Retrieved June 10, 2023, from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10089530/
[7] The Menu (2022) - IMDb. (n.d.). Retrieved June 10, 2023, from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11138970/
Taylor-Joy's diverse filmography encompasses various genres of entertainment, including psychological and atmospheric thrillers like "The Witch" and "Last Night in Soho". She has also demonstrated her versatility in period dramas such as "Emma" and "The Northman".
