From Witch to Queen: Anya Taylor-Joy's Rise to Prominence

Anya Taylor-Joy, the mesmerizing witch actress, has taken the world by storm with her captivating performances and undeniable talent. Born in Miami and raised in Argentina and England, she brings a unique and diverse perspective to her roles. Taylor-Joy first gained attention for her breakout role as Thomasin in the 2015 film "The Witch," directed by Robert Eggers. Her portrayal of a young Puritan girl accused of witchcraft was both chilling and vulnerable, earning her critical acclaim and proving she was a force to be reckoned with in the industry. Since then, Taylor-Joy has continued to showcase her range as an actress, taking on a variety of challenging roles. One of her most notable performances was as the title character in the 2020 Netflix miniseries "The Queen's Gambit.

One of her most notable performances was as the title character in the 2020 Netflix miniseries "The Queen's Gambit." In this role, she played Beth Harmon, a chess prodigy struggling with addiction and personal demons. The series received widespread praise, and Taylor-Joy's portrayal of Beth garnered her numerous awards and nominations, including a Golden Globe win for Best Actress in a Limited Series or Television Film.

Anya Taylor-Joy Was ‘Devastated’ After Watching Her ‘Witch’ Acting: ‘Thought I’d Never Work Again’

Watching yourself onscreen can be hard to endure; just ask Anya Tayloy-Joy. During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter as part of her Emmys campaign for “The Queen’s Gambit,” the actress admitted to feeling “devastated” after watching her performance in Robert Eggers‘ “The Witch” for the first time. The 2015 horror movie world-premiered at the Sundance Film Festival to great acclaim and served as Taylor-Joy’s breakthrough, but her first impression of the film was rather dire.

“Rob [Eggers] showed us the film maybe two hours before the audience screening, and I was devastated,” Taylor-Joy said. “I thought I’d never work again, I still get shivers thinking about it. 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’ 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.”

Taylor-Joy of course did work again, making the jump to Hollywood studio films after “The Witch” by starring in M. Night Shyamalan’s “Split.” The actress hasn’t stopped working since “The Witch,” starring in Shyamalan’s “Glass,” the X-Men movie “New Mutants,” Autumn de Wilde’s “Emma,” Netflix’s limited series sensation “The Queen’s Gambit,” and more. Later this year, Taylor-Joy will start pre-production on her biggest role to date: Furiosa in George Miller’s “Mad Max: Fury Road” prequel. She also has reunited with Eggers for “The Northman,” releasing April 2022 from Focus Features. The film was a full circle moment as it also stars her “Witch” co-star Kate Dickie.

“I was in Northern Ireland, in Belfast, with Robert Eggers, filming a movie I’m very proud of called ‘The Northman,'” Taylor-Joy said when asked how she discovered all the “Queen’s Gambit” fan praise. “But I mean, you can’t get more different than ‘The Northman’ and ‘The Queen’s Gambit.’ I was isolating, alone in this apartment with nothing but my phone, and my phone was telling me information that I could not compute. And then luckily Kate came to stay with me — Kate Dickie, who plays my mom in ‘The Witch’ — and every day just more information would come in, and I’d just look at her and I’d say, ‘I think it’s going well. I think people are liking the show.'”

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“I was in Northern Ireland, in Belfast, with Robert Eggers, filming a movie I’m very proud of called ‘The Northman,'” Taylor-Joy said when asked how she discovered all the “Queen’s Gambit” fan praise. “But I mean, you can’t get more different than ‘The Northman’ and ‘The Queen’s Gambit.’ I was isolating, alone in this apartment with nothing but my phone, and my phone was telling me information that I could not compute. And then luckily Kate came to stay with me — Kate Dickie, who plays my mom in ‘The Witch’ — and every day just more information would come in, and I’d just look at her and I’d say, ‘I think it’s going well. I think people are liking the show.'”

What sets Taylor-Joy apart from other actresses is her ability to fully immerse herself in her characters. She brings a level of intensity and emotional depth to each role, making it impossible to look away. Her striking looks, with wide-set eyes and a unique beauty, only add to her on-screen presence. Whether she's playing a troubled teenager, a supernatural being, or a complex chess prodigy, Taylor-Joy effortlessly commands the screen and captures the audience's attention. Beyond her acting prowess, Taylor-Joy has become a fashion icon and has been recognized for her impeccable style. She often embraces bold and unique fashion choices, showcasing her creativity and fearlessness. With her stunning red carpet appearances and fashion collaborations, she has solidified herself as a style influencer and trendsetter. In conclusion, Anya Taylor-Joy is a true talent in the acting world. With her captivating performances, striking looks, and undeniable talent, she has become a force to be reckoned with. Whether she's portraying a witch, a troubled teenager, or a chess prodigy, Taylor-Joy's ability to bring depth and nuance to her characters makes her a standout in the industry. Her star in Hollywood is only continuing to rise, and audiences can't wait to see what she does next..

Reviews for "The Haunting Magic of Anya Taylor-Joy's Witch Characters"

- John - 2 stars - I really didn't enjoy Anya Taylor-Joy's performance in "The Witch". I found her portrayal of Thomasin to be dull and lacking in depth. Her delivery of the dialogue felt forced and unnatural, and I couldn't connect with her character at all. Overall, I felt that her acting was one-dimensional and didn't bring anything interesting to the film.

- Linda - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with Anya Taylor-Joy's acting in "The Witch". Her portrayal of Thomasin was flat and uninspiring. I found her facial expressions to be very limited and her delivery of the lines lacked the necessary emotional depth. I also felt that she lacked chemistry with the other actors, making the interactions between the characters feel forced and awkward. Overall, I was not impressed with her performance and it greatly affected my enjoyment of the film.

- Mark - 2 stars - I just didn't connect with Anya Taylor-Joy's performance in "The Witch". Her portrayal of Thomasin felt wooden and emotionless. I couldn't feel the fear or desperation that her character was supposed to be experiencing. It was like watching someone go through the motions without any real depth or conviction. I was really expecting more from her based on the hype surrounding her as an actress, but unfortunately, I was left disappointed.

- Sarah - 1 star - I found Anya Taylor-Joy's acting in "The Witch" to be incredibly overrated. Her performance as Thomasin lacked nuance and subtlety. It felt like she was trying too hard to be convincing, resulting in an unnatural and forced portrayal. I couldn't connect with her character and found myself bored throughout the entire film. Overall, I was not impressed with her acting and it made the movie a disappointing experience for me.

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