My Favourite Anya Taylor-Joy Movies of All-Time

Not many actresses make movies audiences enjoy as much as Anya Taylor-Joy. Since the 2000’s, Taylor-Joy has become an icon. Whether it’s matchmakers, furious warriors or victims of psychotic killers, Taylor-Joy has portrayed several characters. Although she has only made a few movies in her career, all of them have been worth seeing. Listed below are my picks for the best movies of an actress that deserves to be celebrated.

1. Emma

Jane Austen is a legendary author whose literature always inspired my cousin. I remember forming a strong bond with a cousin that was a fan of the legendary author in English literature. She was always drawn towards the sense and sensibility of an iconic author that shaped her identity. My cousin grew up to value books written from a feminist point-of-view. Through her lifelong love of Jane Austen’s literature, my cousin inspired me to pursue dreams of becoming a writer. As someone treasuring fond memories of a cousin that adored Jane Austen with nostalgia, I adored “Emma”. Released in 2019, Anya Taylor-Joy’s movie celebrated the legendary author’s timeless literature. In the greatest role of her career, Taylor-Joy embodies a mischievous matchmaker that becomes involved in a romantic affair that’s a burden to bear. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. Taylor-Joy has always had an aptitude for conveying strong emotions through her eye movements, and “Emma” showcased her strengths as an actress. As Emma Woodhouse, Taylor-Joy did an extraordinary job portraying a legendary literary character. Working alongside Johnny Flynn who is also amazing, Taylor-Joy celebrated a legendary author that built a lasting legacy. For instance, the scene in which Emma has a sudden nosebleed after Mr. Knightley proposes to her causing her romantic affair to face despair is one of the greatest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Emma” Taylor-Joy’s best movie is its message. Unlike most Jane Austen adaptations, it tackles universal themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a strong message about social class which would resonate with everyone. Centuries after a legendary author penned timeless literature about the sense and sensibility of women in danger, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has made timeless movies which audiences treasure.

2. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

Mad Max is a magnificent franchise that shaped my grandfather’s identity. I recall with nostalgia fond memories of a grandpa that adored Furiosa. A huge fan of Mel Gibson, he often praised films he regarded with affection. He would always praise movies about brave road warriors seeking to survive on a planet facing catastrophe. Through his love for Mad Max, my grandfather inspired me to make my dreams come true. In 2024, Anya Taylor-Joy honoured road warriors facing trauma in her movie “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga”. In the most feminist role of her career, Taylor-Joy embodies a courageous woman seeking to avenge the death of her mother causing despair. Taylor-Joy has spent most of her career playing talkative women. With “Furiosa: A Mad Saga”, however, the actress showcased rare subtlety she hadn’t shown in her career before. Despite a lack of dialogue, Taylor-Joy communicated emotions through her expressions. For instance, the scene in which Furiosa confronts Dementus seeking vengeance for the death of her mother causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a bold message about sexism which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Furiosa’s desire to recover from past trauma, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress with charisma whose timeless movies always attract audiences to the Cinema.

3. Split

Individuals with split personality disorder always fascinated my teacher. I remember a psychology professor that was fascinated with multiple personality disorder. He always sought to educate students about a painful disorder causing lives of people to deteriorate. In 2016, Anya Taylor-Joy did an extraordinary job of depicting split personality disorder in her film “Split”. In the most frightening role of her career, Taylor-Joy portrays a woman that becomes the victim of a psychotic killer with split personality disorder causing despair. Taylor-Joy has always excelled at conveying emotions through expressions, and “Split” showcased her strengths as a performer. Working alongside James McAvoy who is also amazing, the actress created a portrait of dissociative identity disorder that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Casey becomes aware that she is the victim of a killer with split personality disorder causing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Split” a psychological masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about mental health which would resonate with everyone. A spectacular portrait of split personality disorder causing serial killers to deteriorate, it’s a sensational reminder of an actress that has made movies audiences appreciate.

4. The Menu

Cooking is an activity my mother always enjoyed doing. I remember a mother that sought to become a world-famous baker. Nobody in the world could bake a cake like my mother did without making a mistake. A captivating cook, she would record recipes in a precious notebook. As someone that grew up to value a mother preparing dishes on the menu, I adored “The Menu”. Released in 2022, Anya Taylor-Joy’s movie captured hardships that chefs in luxurious restaurants go through. In the most anxious role of her career, Taylor-Joy embodies a woman that visits a restaurant run by a psychotic chef causing despair. With “The Menu”, Taylor-Joy showcased an aptitude for comedy that audiences hadn’t seen in the past before. Working alongside Nicholas Hoult who is also amazing, Taylor-Joy created a portrait of the culinary industry that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Margot has a nerve-wracking confrontation with Chef Slowik telling him she doesn’t like his food causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Menu” a classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about capitalism which would resonate with everyone. As precious as Chef Slowik’s menu, it’s a marvellous reminder of an actress manufacturing great movies which audiences value.

5. Last Night in Soho

Fashion-designers are figures that impressed my father. I remember a father that admired fashion-designers. Fashion was a profession my father regarded with admiration. He admired figures that sought to design dresses that shine. As someone treasuring a father that loved fashion-designers years ago, I adored “Last Night in Soho”. Released in 2021, Anya Taylor-Joy’s movie captured the fashion industry of 1960’s London. In the most mysterious role of her career, Taylor-Joy embodies a ghostly woman that haunts a fashion-designer causing despair. Taylor-Joy is known for playing heroines with clear motives. With “Last Night in Soho”, however, the actress showcased a mysterious side to herself that audiences hadn’t seen before. For instance, the scene in which Eloise discovers that Sandy has been murdered causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Last Night in Soho” a fantastic film is its message. The film delivers a bold message about trauma which would resonate with everyone. Unlike most movies about the fashion industry, it tackles themes everyone will relate to. As strong as Eloise’s love for fashion design, it’s a fantastic reminder of a divine actress whose movies shine.

6. The Witch

Anya Taylor-Joy has always excelled at making movies in the horror genre. Taylor-Joy thrives at playing terrified characters that rarely feel joy. Taylor-Joy’s strength for playing horror heroines with abilities to bewitch audiences is clearly evident in her film “The Witch”. Released in 2015, Robert Eggers’ movie captured a supernatural family haunted by witches. In the most horrific role of her career, Taylor-Joy embodies a woman whose family is haunted by witches causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress an opportunity to showcase her strength for playing terrified heroines in horror movies. Taylor-Joy showcased real talent in the role that made her a movie-star. As powerful as witches that scare, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has built a career producing timeless movies about which audiences care.

7. Thoroughbreds

Anya Taylor-Joy is one of those actresses that excels at playing characters facing trauma. Taylor-Joy has built an image of being an actress that excels at playing characters facing emotional damage. Taylor-Joy’s strength for playing women facing trauma is evident in her film “Thoroughbreds”. Released in 2017, Cory Finley’s movie captured friends planning murder. In the most mischievous role of her career, Taylor-Joy portrays a woman scheming a murder causing despair. It gave the actress a chance to step out of her comfort zone playing a scheming woman planning a murder. Working alongside Olivia Cooke who is also amazing, Taylor-Joy created a female killer that’s compelling. As memorable as murders that Lily has committed, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has made captivating movies which deserve to be celebrated.

8. The Northman

When it comes to legendary figures in Scandinavian history, it’s worth discussing Amleth. During the 10th Century, Amleth was a Viking prince with bravery. A legendary figure in Viking literature, Amleth became a hero people treasure. In 2022, Anya Taylor-Joy honoured the Viking figure with dedication in her film “The Northman”. In the most majestic role of her career, Anya Taylor-Joy embodies a sorceress that has an affair with a Viking prince facing despair. It gave the actress an opportunity to step out of her comfort zone playing a legendary figure in Viking history. Working alongside Alexander Skarsgard who is also amazing, Taylor-Joy honoured a legendary Viking figure. As strong as Amleth’s desire for vengeance, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress with strong presence whose memorable movies have earned a huge audience.

9. Dune: Part Two

Few books about dusty dune planets are as beloved as “Dune”. Published in the 1960’s, Frank Herbert’s book has become literature readers have cherished. In 2024, Anya Taylor-Joy honoured literature readers value in her film “Dune: Part Two”. In the most brief role of her career, Taylor-Joy portrays a mysterious woman that appears in Paul Atreides’ nightmare. It gave the actress an opportunity to showcase her talent for stealing the show in a small role with limited screen-time. Despite appearing in the film for barely a minute, Taylor-Joy left a strong impression. Working alongside Timothee Chalamet who is also amazing, Taylor-Joy honoured legendary literature today. As precious as dusty dune planets, it’s a dazzling reminder of an actress that has achieved a fortune making memorable movies which won’t be forgotten soon.

10. The New Mutants

Anya Taylor-Joy hasn’t always made great movies that audiences enjoy. While most movies the actress has made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “The New Mutants” falls into the latter category. Released in 2020, Josh Boone’s blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of her career, Taylor-Joy embodies a mutant with superpowers facing despair. Taylor-Joy brought strong emotion to the role, standing out as the bright spot of an otherwise bad movie. Although “The New Mutants” is a disastrous movie, it honoured Taylor-Joy’s enduring legacy. As strong as Illyana’s love for sorcery, it’s a spectacular reminder of a joyous actress that created a lasting legacy producing memorable movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn dreams of film criticism into reality.