Anya Taylor-Joy has emerged as one of Hollywood’s most captivating and versatile actresses over the past decade, delivering performances that span horror, drama, period pieces, and blockbuster franchises. From her breakthrough role in a haunting folk horror film to her award-winning portrayal of a chess prodigy, the Miami-born actress has built an impressive filmography that showcases her remarkable range and magnetic screen presence. This comprehensive guide examines every major film in Anya Taylor-Joy’s career, ranking them based on critical reception, audience response, box office performance, and the actress’s individual contributions to each project.
Born in Miami and raised in Buenos Aires and London, Anya Taylor-Joy left school at sixteen to pursue acting, a decision that would prove transformative for contemporary cinema. Her unique combination of striking features, emotional depth, and ability to inhabit characters across diverse genres has made her one of the most sought-after talents in the industry. With multiple Golden Globe wins, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and Emmy nominations to her name, Taylor-Joy has established herself as a formidable force in both film and television.
The Witch: A Masterclass in Horror Performance
Robert Eggers’ atmospheric period horror film stands as Anya Taylor-Joy’s most significant career milestone and remains her finest work to date. Set in 1630s New England, the film follows a Puritan family cast out from their religious community who must survive on an isolated farm near a foreboding forest. Taylor-Joy delivers a breathtaking performance as Thomasin, the eldest daughter who becomes the target of her family’s suspicions when supernatural events begin plaguing their homestead.
What makes Taylor-Joy’s performance in this film particularly remarkable is that it marked her theatrical debut. The actress brought extraordinary depth to Thomasin, portraying her evolution from wide-eyed innocence to someone who ultimately embraces the dark forces her family feared. Critics universally praised her work, with The New Yorker describing her as remarkable in the role, noting how her performance entwined innocence with cunning in ways that felt both authentic and unsettling.
The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2015 to critical acclaim and was subsequently acquired by A24 for theatrical distribution. Despite having a modest budget of four million dollars, the movie grossed over forty million dollars worldwide and became a defining work for both Taylor-Joy and the A24 studio. Interestingly, Taylor-Joy has revealed that she was devastated upon first viewing the film, crying and believing she would never work again after seeing herself on screen. This vulnerability contrasts sharply with the reality that her performance earned her the Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Actor and the Empire Award for Best Female Newcomer.
Technical Excellence and Atmospheric Authenticity
Eggers crafted an authentic period experience by using natural lighting throughout the production and drawing dialogue directly from historical accounts and diaries from the era. Taylor-Joy mastered a Northern English accent and immersed herself in the mindset of a seventeenth-century teenage girl living under extreme religious fundamentalism. The actress has spoken about how the remote Canadian wilderness location where filming took place contributed significantly to her performance, creating an atmosphere of genuine isolation that informed every scene.
The film currently holds a ninety-one percent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an eighty-four score on Metacritic, with many critics citing it as one of the best horror films of the 2010s. Even Stephen King praised the film, stating that it genuinely terrified him. The symbolic ending, where Thomasin signs the devil’s book and joins a coven of witches in the forest, remains one of the most discussed sequences in contemporary horror cinema, with Taylor-Joy’s expression of liberation and terror creating an unforgettable final image.
The Queen’s Gambit: Television Triumph
While not a feature film, Netflix’s limited series deserves prominent recognition as Anya Taylor-Joy’s most culturally impactful and widely viewed work. Released in October 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, this chess-themed period drama became a global phenomenon, with Taylor-Joy portraying Beth Harmon, an orphaned chess prodigy battling addiction and emotional trauma while rising through the competitive chess world of the 1960s.
Taylor-Joy’s performance earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie. She also received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for her work. The series became Netflix’s most-watched limited series at the time, with over sixty-two million households viewing it within its first month.
Critics praised Taylor-Joy’s ability to carry nearly seven hours of screen time, portraying Beth’s evolution from a traumatized child to a confident world champion. The series required her to convincingly portray chess mastery, drug and alcohol addiction, complex relationships, and the internal struggle between genius and self-destruction. Rotten Tomatoes critics consensus stated that between Taylor-Joy’s magnetic performance, incredibly realized period details, and emotionally intelligent writing, the series was an absolute win.
Cultural Impact and Chess Renaissance
The series sparked a renewed global interest in chess, with chess set sales increasing dramatically and online chess platforms reporting significant user growth. Taylor-Joy’s portrayal made Beth Harmon an iconic character, with her fashion choices and 1960s aesthetic becoming widely imitated. The actress brought vulnerability and strength to the role in equal measure, making audiences root for a character struggling with serious personal demons while achieving extraordinary professional success.
The production values were exceptional, with authentic period costumes, meticulously researched chess sequences, and cinematography that made the game visually compelling for viewers unfamiliar with chess. Taylor-Joy worked closely with chess consultants to ensure her movements and reactions during game sequences appeared authentic, studying grandmaster matches and learning actual chess strategies employed during the era.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
George Miller’s epic prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road arrived in theaters in May 2024, with Taylor-Joy taking on the formidable challenge of playing the younger version of Charlize Theron’s iconic Imperator Furiosa. This action-packed origin story traces Furiosa’s journey from her childhood abduction from the Green Place of Many Mothers through her years serving under tyrannical warlords Dementus and Immortan Joe.
Taylor-Joy described this as her dirtiest, bloodiest, and most silent role to date, with the character having only approximately thirty lines of dialogue throughout the film’s two-hour-plus runtime. Despite limited verbal communication, she delivered what The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw described as an overwhelmingly convincing action heroine performance. The actress has been candid about the challenging production, stating in interviews that she had never felt more alone than while making the film, though she remained proud of the final result.
Physical Transformation and Stunt Work
The role required extensive physical preparation and stunt training. Taylor-Joy performed many of her own stunts, working with the same stunt coordinators who crafted the extraordinary action sequences in Fury Road. The film’s visual spectacle, practical effects, and Taylor-Joy’s committed physical performance earned praise from critics who appreciated Miller’s decision to prioritize practical stunts over computer-generated imagery.
While the film received positive critical reception, with a Rotten Tomatoes score reflecting strong reviews, it underperformed at the box office compared to its predecessor. Nevertheless, Taylor-Joy’s performance was consistently highlighted as a strength, with critics noting her ability to convey complex emotions through physicality and minimal dialogue. The character’s journey from traumatized child to hardened warrior required Taylor-Joy to portray multiple stages of Furiosa’s emotional development, creating a character arc that complemented rather than contradicted Theron’s portrayal.
Split: Psychological Thriller Breakthrough
M. Night Shyamalan’s 2016 psychological thriller provided Anya Taylor-Joy with her first major Hollywood studio role, playing Casey Cooke, one of three teenage girls kidnapped by a man with dissociative identity disorder. The film starred James McAvoy in a tour-de-force performance as Kevin Wendell Crumb, a character with twenty-three distinct personalities, with Taylor-Joy serving as the emotional anchor throughout the increasingly tense narrative.
Taylor-Joy’s portrayal of Casey revealed layers of complexity as the story progressed, with flashbacks showing her traumatic childhood and explaining her unique survival skills. While McAvoy’s shape-shifting performance garnered significant attention, Taylor-Joy held her own, creating a character who was simultaneously vulnerable and resourceful. The film became a massive commercial success, grossing over two hundred seventy-eight million dollars worldwide against a nine million dollar budget.
Character Development and Survival Instincts
Casey differs from the typical horror film protagonist in significant ways. Taylor-Joy portrayed her as an outsider even among the kidnapping victims, someone whose difficult past had prepared her for extreme situations in ways her more privileged companions could never understand. The actress effectively conveyed Casey’s intelligence and strategic thinking as she analyzed Kevin’s different personalities and looked for opportunities to escape.
Critics noted that Taylor-Joy brought genuine emotional weight to scenes revealing Casey’s abuse at the hands of her uncle, making her survival instinct feel earned rather than arbitrary. The film’s controversial portrayal of dissociative identity disorder received criticism from mental health advocates, but Taylor-Joy’s performance remained a consistent highlight. Her work in this film established her as a compelling presence in thriller and horror genres, leading to her casting in Glass, Shyamalan’s 2019 sequel that concluded his Unbreakable trilogy.
The Menu: Dark Culinary Satire
Mark Mylod’s 2022 black comedy thriller showcased Anya Taylor-Joy in a contemporary setting, playing Margot opposite Nicholas Hoult’s Tyler in a story about wealthy guests attending an exclusive dinner on a private island. What begins as an evening of avant-garde cuisine prepared by a celebrity chef, played by Ralph Fiennes, gradually transforms into a sinister examination of class warfare and complicity.
Taylor-Joy’s Margot stands apart from the other dinner guests, creating intrigue around her character from the opening scenes. As the only uninvited guest, she becomes both observer and participant in the evening’s increasingly dark revelations. The actress delivered a nuanced performance that required her to shift between confused outsider, shrewd analyzer of the situation, and eventually, the character who could match wits with Fiennes’ Chef Slowik.
Social Commentary Through Performance
The film functions as biting satire of foodie culture, wealth inequality, and the service industry, with Taylor-Joy serving as the audience surrogate who questions the absurdity of the situation before others recognize the danger. Her chemistry with Fiennes provided some of the film’s most memorable moments, particularly scenes where Margot demonstrates understanding of Slowik’s motivations that the wealthy patrons around her completely miss.
Critics praised Taylor-Joy’s ability to anchor the increasingly surreal narrative, with her performance providing genuine tension as the dinner party’s true purpose reveals itself. The film earned strong reviews and performed well at the box office, grossing over seventy-nine million dollars worldwide. Taylor-Joy received a Critics Choice Award nomination for her work, with reviewers highlighting how she made Margot’s working-class perspective feel authentic without making the character a simple audience proxy.
The Northman: Epic Viking Revenge Tale
Anya Taylor-Joy reunited with director Robert Eggers for this 2022 epic revenge thriller, playing Olga of the Birch Forest opposite Alexander Skarsgård’s Prince Amleth. Based on the ancient Scandinavian legend that inspired Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the film follows Amleth’s quest to avenge his murdered father and rescue his mother from his uncle’s clutches.
Taylor-Joy portrayed Olga as a Slavic sorceress with mystical powers, bringing mystery and strength to a character who becomes Amleth’s ally and lover. Her performance required her to master a Slavic accent and convey otherworldly knowledge while maintaining genuine emotional connections with the protagonist. Critics praised the chemistry between Taylor-Joy and Skarsgård, noting how their scenes together provided necessary emotional grounding for the film’s brutal violence and mythological elements.
Mythological Elements and Historical Authenticity
Eggers maintained his commitment to historical accuracy and atmospheric world-building, creating an immersive Viking Age setting complete with authentic rituals, costumes, and mythology. Taylor-Joy embraced the physical demands of the role, performing in harsh weather conditions and participating in elaborate ceremonial sequences. Her character’s mystical abilities provided crucial plot elements while never feeling disconnected from the film’s grounded historical approach.
The film received positive critical reception, earning praise for its visual spectacle, committed performances, and refusal to sanitize Viking-era violence. Rotten Tomatoes critics described it as a bloody revenge epic and breathtaking visual marvel, noting that Eggers expanded his scope without sacrificing his signature style. While the film underperformed commercially, it has gained appreciation as a bold, uncompromising vision that showcases Taylor-Joy’s range beyond her more well-known roles.
Emma: Period Drama Excellence
Autumn de Wilde’s 2020 adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel provided Anya Taylor-Joy with her first romantic comedy lead, playing the meddlesome but well-meaning Emma Woodhouse. This vibrant, colorful interpretation of Austen’s satire allowed Taylor-Joy to showcase her comedic timing while navigating the social intricacies of Regency-era England.
Taylor-Joy brought both charm and complexity to Emma, a character who could easily become insufferable in less capable hands. She portrayed Emma’s confidence and social manipulation while ensuring audiences could see her good intentions beneath the misguided matchmaking. Her chemistry with Johnny Flynn’s Mr. Knightley provided the romantic foundation, while her interactions with Mia Goth’s Harriet Smith showcased Emma’s capacity for genuine friendship despite her class-conscious worldview.
Visual Style and Comic Precision
De Wilde’s directorial debut featured sumptuous production design, elaborate costumes, and a distinctive visual style that set it apart from previous Austen adaptations. Taylor-Joy embraced the heightened aesthetic, delivering dialogue with perfect comic timing while maintaining emotional authenticity during more serious moments. Her performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy.
Critics praised how Taylor-Joy made Emma feel contemporary without sacrificing period authenticity, creating a character whose flaws felt relatable despite the historical setting. The film performed modestly at the box office, earning over twenty-six million dollars worldwide before theatrical releases were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Taylor-Joy’s work demonstrated her ability to excel in lighter material after establishing herself primarily through intense dramatic and horror roles.
Last Night in Soho: Psychological Horror Thriller
Edgar Wright’s 2021 psychological horror film featured Anya Taylor-Joy as Sandie, a glamorous 1960s aspiring singer who appears in the visions of fashion student Eloise Turner, played by Thomasin McKenzie. The film explores themes of nostalgia, exploitation, and the dark underbelly of 1960s London that romanticized memory often obscures.
Taylor-Joy embraced the opportunity to embody 1960s style and attitude, performing her own singing including a haunting rendition of “Downtown” by Petula Clark. Her character exists both as an object of admiration and a cautionary tale, with the film gradually revealing the horrific circumstances that destroyed Sandie’s dreams of stardom. Critics highlighted Taylor-Joy’s ability to shift between glamorous performer and victim of systemic exploitation.
Musical Performance and Era Recreation
The film required Taylor-Joy to capture the energy and style of 1960s Soho nightlife, working with Wright’s characteristic kinetic cinematography and dynamic editing. Her musical performances anchored key sequences, with her voice and movement creating a character who felt authentically of the era. The relationship between Sandie and Eloise, despite occurring across different time periods, provided the film’s emotional core.
While the film received mixed reviews, with some critics finding the narrative resolution problematic, Taylor-Joy’s performance was consistently praised. Joe Morgenstern of The Wall Street Journal highlighted the dazzling sense of purpose in her portrayal. The film earned over twenty-four million dollars at the box office, with Taylor-Joy’s work in stunning period costumes and Wright’s signature visual style creating memorable sequences that showcased her versatility.
Thoroughbreds: Dark Comedy Brilliance
Cory Finley’s 2017 directorial debut paired Anya Taylor-Joy with Olivia Cooke in a darkly comic psychological thriller about two wealthy Connecticut teenagers who reconnect after years apart. Taylor-Joy played Lily, a seemingly perfect student whose polished exterior conceals deeper manipulation and moral flexibility.
The film explores the relationship between Lily and Amanda, Cooke’s character who claims to feel no emotions, as they plot increasingly sinister actions. Taylor-Joy delivered a performance that balanced privilege, intelligence, and underlying darkness, creating a character whose motivations remain ambiguous until the film’s conclusion. IndieWire’s David Ehrlich called her performance captivating, praising how she and Cooke created a toxic yet strangely touching friendship.
Moral Ambiguity and Class Critique
Thoroughbreds functions as both psychological thriller and critique of upper-class ennui, with Taylor-Joy and Cooke portraying characters whose wealth insulates them from consequences while simultaneously trapping them in empty existences. Taylor-Joy brought depth to Lily’s manipulation of those around her, making viewers question whether her actions stem from genuine affection for Amanda or purely self-interest.
The film received strong critical reception, with Rotten Tomatoes critics describing it as juggling genres with panache and delivering a refreshingly unpredictable entry in the teen thriller genre. Anton Yelchin’s final film performance added poignancy to the production. Taylor-Joy’s work demonstrated her ability to play morally complex characters without seeking audience sympathy, trusting viewers to engage with Lily’s disturbing choices without clear judgment.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie: Blockbuster Voice Work
Taylor-Joy ventured into animation with Illumination Entertainment’s 2023 adaptation of Nintendo’s iconic video game franchise, voicing Princess Peach opposite Chris Pratt’s Mario and Jack Black’s Bowser. This family-friendly blockbuster allowed Taylor-Joy to reach younger audiences while contributing to one of the year’s biggest commercial successes.
Her interpretation of Peach diverged from traditional damsel-in-distress portrayals, presenting the character as a capable ruler and warrior who partners with Mario rather than requiring rescue. Taylor-Joy brought warmth and determination to the voice performance, creating a Peach who felt both regal and approachable. The film became a massive box office phenomenon, grossing over one point three billion dollars worldwide.
Character Reinvention and Family Entertainment
Critics and audiences appreciated how the film updated Peach’s characterization while maintaining elements that made her recognizable to longtime fans. Taylor-Joy’s voice work balanced authority with kindness, making Peach feel like a natural leader rather than simply a plot device. Her dynamic with Pratt’s Mario emphasized mutual respect and partnership, modernizing the relationship for contemporary audiences.
The film became the highest-grossing film of 2023 and the third-highest-grossing animated film of all time, with Taylor-Joy confirmed to return for the announced sequel scheduled for 2026. While voice work differs significantly from her typical on-screen performances, Taylor-Joy succeeded in creating a memorable interpretation of one of gaming’s most iconic characters, demonstrating her appeal across diverse audience demographics.
The Gorge: Action Romance
Scott Derrickson’s 2025 sci-fi action romance paired Taylor-Joy with Miles Teller as two elite snipers assigned to guard opposite sides of a mysterious gorge. The film blends multiple genres, combining horror, action, and romance while exploring themes of isolation and duty. Taylor-Joy’s character must maintain her post while uncovering the gorge’s secrets and developing a connection with Teller’s character.
The film released on Apple TV Plus in February 2025, becoming the streaming platform’s biggest film premiere according to reported viewing data. Taylor-Joy brought intensity and vulnerability to the role, portraying a character whose military training conflicts with her growing emotional connections. The remote location and limited cast allowed her to showcase emotional range without relying on ensemble dynamics.
Genre Blending and Character Depth
Derrickson’s direction combined his horror sensibilities with action sequences and genuine romantic development, requiring Taylor-Joy to navigate tonal shifts while maintaining character consistency. Her chemistry with Teller provided the emotional foundation necessary for the audience to invest in their characters’ survival and relationship. The film’s rock-influenced soundtrack and mysterious premise created an unusual viewing experience.
Critics noted that while the film contained uneven elements, Taylor-Joy’s committed performance elevated the material. Her ability to convey both physical capability and emotional vulnerability made her character feel three-dimensional despite the film’s genre elements. The project demonstrated her willingness to take risks with unconventional narratives rather than simply following predictable career paths.
Glass: Superhero Sequel
M. Night Shyamalan’s 2019 conclusion to his Unbreakable trilogy brought back Anya Taylor-Joy’s Casey Cooke from Split alongside Bruce Willis’s David Dunn and Samuel L. Jackson’s Mr. Glass. The film attempted to subvert superhero movie conventions while concluding storylines established across three films spanning nineteen years.
Taylor-Joy’s role was significantly smaller than in Split, with Casey serving primarily as an emotional anchor for McAvoy’s Kevin Wendell Crumb rather than driving the plot. She brought genuine compassion to scenes where Casey attempts to reach Kevin’s original personality, believing in his potential for redemption despite the danger he represents. The film received mixed reviews, with many critics finding it disappointing compared to its predecessors.
Franchise Conclusion and Thematic Elements
Glass explored Shyamalan’s continued interest in superhero mythology and belief systems, with Taylor-Joy’s Casey representing faith in human goodness despite overwhelming evidence of evil. Her scenes with McAvoy provided continuity with Split while attempting to give Kevin’s character arc emotional resolution. The film grossed over two hundred forty-six million dollars worldwide but failed to achieve the critical acclaim of Unbreakable or the commercial success of Split.
Taylor-Joy delivered solid work within the constraints of her limited screen time, maintaining the character relationships established in the previous film while adapting to the ensemble structure. While Glass represents one of her weaker films overall, her performance demonstrated professionalism and commitment even when the surrounding material proved divisive among audiences and critics.
Additional Notable Performances
Beyond her major roles, Anya Taylor-Joy has contributed memorable performances in various projects that showcase different aspects of her talent. Her appearance as Charlotte in Barry, a 2016 biographical drama about Barack Obama’s college years, provided early evidence of her on-screen charisma. Though her role was supporting, she demonstrated natural chemistry with Devon Terrell’s Obama and brought authenticity to the period setting.
In The New Mutants, the troubled 2020 X-Men spin-off, Taylor-Joy played Illyana Rasputin, also known as Magik, a Russian mutant with mystical powers. Despite the film’s production difficulties and poor critical reception, Taylor-Joy committed fully to the character, mastering a Russian accent and bringing depth to what could have been a one-dimensional role. The film’s lengthy delays and reshoots plagued its development, but Taylor-Joy’s performance suggested the potential for a more successful franchise entry.
Her work in Amsterdam, David O. Russell’s 2022 ensemble piece, placed her among an all-star cast including Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, and Robert De Niro. While the film received mixed reviews and underperformed commercially, Taylor-Joy’s presence added value to the production. Similarly, Radioactive, a 2019 biographical film about Marie Curie, featured Taylor-Joy in a supporting role as Irene Curie, demonstrating her ability to contribute meaningfully to ensemble casts.
Early career roles like Morgan, a 2016 sci-fi thriller directed by Luke Scott, showed promise despite the film’s overall shortcomings. Taylor-Joy played the title character, an artificially created humanoid being, bringing vulnerability and menace to a role that could have felt entirely artificial. While the film failed critically and commercially, it provided valuable experience working on a science fiction production with visual effects requirements.
Critical Analysis of Career Trajectory
Anya Taylor-Joy’s career demonstrates remarkable consistency in choosing projects that challenge her abilities while maintaining artistic integrity. Rather than simply pursuing the largest paycheck or highest-profile roles, she has shown willingness to work with visionary directors on ambitious projects that might not guarantee commercial success but offer creative fulfillment.
Her collaborations with Robert Eggers bookend the first major phase of her career, with The Witch establishing her as a serious dramatic actress and The Northman demonstrating her ability to handle larger-scale productions. The period between these films saw her diversify into various genres, from psychological thrillers to period comedies, proving she could excel in any context rather than being limited to the horror genre where she began.
The commercial success of projects like Split, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and The Menu demonstrates that Taylor-Joy possesses genuine box office appeal while her critical acclaim for The Queen’s Gambit and The Witch proves her work resonates with discerning audiences. This combination of commercial viability and critical respect makes her one of the most valuable actresses of her generation.
Her willingness to take risks, such as playing Furiosa despite the impossible task of following Charlize Theron’s iconic performance, shows confidence in her abilities and commitment to challenging herself. Even when films like Glass or The New Mutants fail to meet expectations, Taylor-Joy’s individual performances typically earn praise, suggesting that her talent transcends the overall quality of any given project.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout her career, Anya Taylor-Joy has accumulated numerous accolades recognizing her exceptional talent. Her Golden Globe Award for The Queen’s Gambit marked a significant achievement for a relatively young actress, while her Screen Actors Guild Award demonstrated peer recognition of her abilities. Additional nominations for prestigious awards including the Emmy Awards, BAFTA Awards, and Critics Choice Awards have established her as a regular presence during awards season.
Industry recognition extends beyond individual performance awards. She has been named to various industry lists including The Hollywood Reporter’s Rising Stars, W Magazine’s promising talent compilation, and Forbes 30 Under 30. In 2020, the Associated Press named her Breakthrough Entertainer of the Year, while the New York Post designated her Breakout Star of 2020. Time magazine included her on their 100 Next list in 2021, highlighting influential people shaping the future.
Film festivals have also recognized her work, with the Cannes Film Festival awarding her the Trophée Chopard in 2017, an honor given to promising young actors. Her Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Actor following The Witch and Empire Award for Best Female Newcomer demonstrated early recognition that her career would achieve lasting significance rather than brief visibility.
Future Projects and Career Prospects
Looking ahead, Anya Taylor-Joy’s upcoming projects suggest continued diversity in her role selection. She is set to star opposite Chris Evans in the action comedy Sacrifice, demonstrating continued interest in genre filmmaking. Most significantly, it was reported in August 2025 that she will portray a young Joni Mitchell in a Cameron Crowe-directed biopic, with Meryl Streep playing an older version of the legendary musician.
This biographical project represents new territory for Taylor-Joy, requiring her to embody a real person with a distinctive public persona and musical legacy. The collaboration with Crowe, known for his music-focused films like Almost Famous, and Streep, one of cinema’s most respected actresses, indicates the level of prestige Taylor-Joy now commands in the industry.
Her confirmed return as Princess Peach in the Super Mario Bros. Movie sequel scheduled for 2026 ensures continued mainstream visibility and box office success. This balance between commercially successful franchises and artistically ambitious independent projects has characterized her career choices and likely will continue defining her path forward.
Industry observers expect Taylor-Joy to receive increasing offers for leading roles in major studio productions while maintaining relationships with auteur directors who trust her to realize their creative visions. Her proven ability to open films both critically and commercially while working across budgets from four million to over one hundred million dollars makes her uniquely valuable in contemporary Hollywood.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Anya Taylor-Joy’s first major film role?
Anya Taylor-Joy’s breakthrough came with her leading role as Thomasin in Robert Eggers’ folk horror film The Witch, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2015 and received wide theatrical release in February 2016. While she had previously appeared in television shows and had a scene cut from Vampire Academy, The Witch marked her first substantial film role and immediately established her as a significant new talent in cinema.
How many awards has Anya Taylor-Joy won?
Taylor-Joy has won multiple prestigious awards throughout her career, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film for The Queen’s Gambit, a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie for the same role, the Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Actor for The Witch, and the Empire Award for Best Female Newcomer. She has also received the Trophée Chopard at the Cannes Film Festival and numerous other industry honors.
What languages does Anya Taylor-Joy speak?
Anya Taylor-Joy is fluent in both English and Spanish, having been raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina until age six before moving to London. She has demonstrated her linguistic abilities in interviews and has spoken about initially refusing to learn English after her family moved to the United Kingdom because she hoped to return to Argentina. Her multilingual background has contributed to her ability to master various accents for different roles.
Is Anya Taylor-Joy classically trained in acting?
Taylor-Joy is not formally trained in acting through traditional drama school or conservatory programs. She initially studied ballet until age fifteen and was working as a model when she was discovered for acting opportunities. She left school at sixteen to pursue her acting career, learning her craft through practical experience on set rather than formal theatrical training. Her natural talent and dedication to character development have proven highly effective despite the unconventional path.
What is Anya Taylor-Joy’s highest-grossing film?
The Super Mario Bros. Movie is Anya Taylor-Joy’s highest-grossing film by a significant margin, earning over one point three billion dollars at the worldwide box office in 2023. In this animated feature, she voiced Princess Peach in what became the highest-grossing film of 2023 and the third-highest-grossing animated film of all time. Her previous films, while successful in their own contexts, did not approach this level of commercial performance.
Has Anya Taylor-Joy worked with any directors multiple times?
Yes, Anya Taylor-Joy has demonstrated loyalty to directors whose work she admires. Most notably, she worked with Robert Eggers on both The Witch, her breakthrough film from 2015, and The Northman, his 2022 Viking epic. She also appeared in M. Night Shyamalan’s Split and its sequel Glass. These repeat collaborations suggest directors value working with her and that she prioritizes artistic relationships over constantly seeking new partnerships.
What upcoming projects does Anya Taylor-Joy have?
Anya Taylor-Joy has several significant projects in development and production. She is set to portray a young Joni Mitchell in a Cameron Crowe-directed biopic with Meryl Streep playing an older version of the musician. She will star opposite Chris Evans in the action comedy Sacrifice. Additionally, she is confirmed to return as the voice of Princess Peach in the Super Mario Bros. Movie sequel currently scheduled for release in 2026.
Conclusion
Anya Taylor-Joy’s filmography represents one of the most impressive career trajectories among actresses of her generation. From her stunning debut in The Witch through her award-winning performance in The Queen’s Gambit to blockbuster successes like The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Furiosa, she has demonstrated remarkable versatility while maintaining consistently high performance standards. Her ability to inhabit characters across diverse genres, time periods, and emotional landscapes has established her as one of contemporary cinema’s most compelling talents.
