Anya Taylor-Joy's portrayal of the witch in the film "The Witch" is nothing short of captivating. Her ability to embody the darkness and complexity of the character is commendable, leaving audiences both terrified and intrigued. From the moment she appears on screen, Taylor-Joy commands attention with her piercing gaze and ethereal presence. As the film progresses, she masterfully portrays the transformation of her character, capturing the torment and turmoil of a woman caught between her own desires and the expectations of society. One of the reasons Taylor-Joy's performance is so mesmerizing is her ability to convey a wide range of emotions without dialogue. Through subtle changes in facial expressions and body language, she conveys the inner turmoil of her character, making her presence on screen feel palpable and haunting.
Through subtle changes in facial expressions and body language, she conveys the inner turmoil of her character, making her presence on screen feel palpable and haunting. Additionally, Taylor-Joy's portrayal of the witch is elevated by her ability to portray vulnerability. Despite the character's dark intentions, Taylor-Joy infuses the witch with a certain fragility, making her more human and relatable.
Anya Taylor-Joy Thought She'd 'Never Work Again' After Watching Debut Performance in 'The Witch'
Jen Juneau is a News and Movies Staff Writer at PEOPLE. She started at the brand in 2016 and has more than 15 years' professional writing experience.
Published on June 22, 2021 02:56PM EDT Anya Taylor-Joy in The Witch (2015). Photo: A24 / Everett CollectionAnya Taylor-Joy is a household name after her award-winning turn in The Queen's Gambit and recent Saturday Night Live hosting gig, but there was a time she thought her acting days were numbered — barely after they began.
Chatting with The Hollywood Reporter for an interview published Monday, the 25-year-old actress recalled feeling "devastated" while watching The Witch, which marked her film debut, shortly before an audience screening.
"I thought I'd never work again; I still get shivers thinking about it," said Taylor-Joy. "It was just the worst feeling of, 'I have let down the people I love most in the world. I didn't do it right.' "
She added, "And I'm quite verbose — I like to talk, I like to communicate. I did not talk; I just cried. I couldn't handle seeing my face that large."
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Anya Taylor-Joy in The Witch (2015). A24 / Everett CollectionHer audition for The Witch came shortly after she tried out to play the part of the young version of Maleficent in the 2014 film of the same name.
"Oh, I wanted it so badly," Taylor-Joy admitted. "It was Disney and I love Angelina [Jolie]. I look nothing like her, so I was never going to get it, but I was naïve and I thought, 'Miracles happen.' " (Isobelle Molloy and Ella Purnell were eventually cast as the child and teenage Maleficent, respectively.)
She was asked to audition for The Witch afterward "but just never thought I would get it, because the character Thomasin was described as plain," the actress said of her lead role in the film: an oldest sibling dealing with the supernatural in 1630s New England.
"And I just thought, 'Okay, there's a lot of things that I can do, but I can't really change my face that much,' " Taylor-Joy said.
Anya Taylor-Joy. Rodin Eckenroth/WireImageRELATED VIDEO: Emma. Star Anya Taylor-Joy Feels Like She "Kinda Got Kidnapped by the Movie"
Between her gigs in Emma., The Queen's Gambit, the upcoming psychological thriller Last Night in Soho and more, Taylor-Joy told THR that she "worked for a year" straight.
"I had, collectively, a week off that entire year; it was crazy, and I was already starting off at an emotional space where I was like, 'Oh, I don't know if I can do this,' " she admitted.
But despite being "completely overwhelmed" and "tapped out" to the point of considering quitting acting altogether, the silver lining for Taylor-Joy was that it was "the year that has most changed" her — for the better.
"I just fell in love with my job again," she said. "I'd forgotten that the job feeds me. I felt like I'd been feeding it for a little while."
Head over to Variety’s website to read Taylor-Joy and O’Connor’s conversation in its entirety. “The Queen’s Gambit” is now streaming on Netflix.
This adds another layer of complexity to the character, making her simultaneously terrifying and sympathetic. The success of Taylor-Joy's portrayal can also be attributed to her chemistry with the rest of the cast. Her interactions with the family members in the film are filled with tension and unease, further highlighting the power she holds over them. These scenes are made all the more chilling by Taylor-Joy's ability to maintain an air of mystery and unpredictability. In conclusion, Anya Taylor-Joy's performance as the witch in "The Witch" is a tour de force. Her ability to bring a complex and nuanced character to life is nothing short of extraordinary. Through her portrayal, she leaves a lasting impression on audiences and solidifies herself as a talented and captivating actress..
Reviews for "Anya Taylor Joy's transformation into the witch in The Witch: A stylistic analysis"
1. John - 2/5 - I found Anya Taylor-Joy's performance as the witch in "The Witch" to be quite underwhelming. Her portrayal lacked depth and failed to capture the true essence of the character. The witch in the film is supposed to be a mysterious and menacing presence, but Taylor-Joy's performance felt flat and unconvincing. I was hoping for a more haunting and captivating portrayal, but unfortunately, that was not what I got.
2. Emily - 2/5 - As a fan of Anya Taylor-Joy, I was excited to see her take on the role of the witch in "The Witch." However, I must admit that I was left disappointed. Her performance felt forced and unnatural, and I didn't feel a strong connection with her character. Taylor-Joy seemed to struggle with the complexity of the role, and it showed in her delivery. Overall, I was left unimpressed with her portrayal and felt that someone else could have brought more depth and nuance to the character.
3. Sarah - 1/5 - I was really looking forward to seeing Anya Taylor-Joy play the witch in "The Witch," but unfortunately, her performance fell short of my expectations. I found her portrayal to be lackluster and unconvincing. The character was supposed to be captivating and mysterious, but Taylor-Joy failed to bring that to the screen. Her delivery felt wooden and detached, and I couldn't connect with her character on any level. Overall, I was highly disappointed with her performance and felt that it detracted from the overall quality of the film.
4. Mark - 1/5 - Anya Taylor-Joy's portrayal of the witch in "The Witch" was incredibly disappointing. She lacked the intensity and presence that the character required, and her performance felt uninspired. The witch is supposed to be a terrifying and seductive figure, but Taylor-Joy failed to convey any of those qualities. Her delivery was flat and uninteresting, and I found myself losing interest whenever she was on screen. Overall, I felt like her casting was a poor choice and a missed opportunity for a truly captivating portrayal.