Anya Taylor-Joyhas steadily become one of the most in-demand actors of her era since her film debut inThe Witch. Known for her distinctive features, graceful movements, and emotional range, she has taken on a variety of interesting and complex roles throughout her career. In particular, she has become one of the 21st century’s preeminent movie scream queens, featuring in numerous horror films.
A Golden Globe winner and Emmy nominee, Taylor-Joy’s horror filmography has ranged from supernatural to science fiction horror, with her selecting consistently interesting and daring projects. Her roles have often been complex and layered, portraying both heroic and villainous characters and particularly thriving in nuanced anti-hero roles. FromThe Witchto 2022’sThe Menu, this is our ranking of Anya Taylor-Joy’s horror movies.
6’Morgan' (2016)
Directed by Luke Scott
Directed byLuke Scott, the son of acclaimed directorRidley Scott,Morganis a 2016 sci-fi psychological horror film. The film centers on a risk management specialist named Lee (Kate Mara) meeting Morgan (Anya Taylor-Joy), a genetically engineered technology-human hybrid raised by scientists in a lab. After Morgan commits a violent act, Lee is tasked with deciding whether the lab should terminate Morgan or continue the project.
The film begins in a slow-burn manner, establishing its characters and philosophical questions before escalating into a more thrilling climax.Taylor-Joy shines in the titular role, bringing vulnerability and an unsettling power to the character, benefitting from her near-ethereal look to bring this distinctive character to life. The supporting cast is all strong, especially Mara. Asolid techno-thriller but nothing groundbreaking,Morganis one of Taylor-Joy’s less memorable horror projects but should satisfy those looking for more projects featuring her in an uncanny role.
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5’Marrowbone' (2017)
Directed by Sergio G. Sánchez
Marrowboneis a 2017 English-language Spanish horror film written and directed bySergio G. Sánchez. The film centers on four siblings who flee from their violent father and begin living in a gigantic house called Marrowbone, which they vow to never leave. However, when the siblings encounter signs of haunting in the vast manor, earth-shattering secrets about their situation come to light.
Anya Taylor-Joy gives a great performance as Allie, the girlfriend of the oldest brother, Jack (George MacKay), who represents his sole tie to the world outside of his family home.Marrowboneis spooky and sad, providing aunique take on the haunted house subgenrethat builds dread gradually and pays it off with a devastating climax. It also stars a few other members of the modern horror royalty, including Taylor-Joy’sfellow scream queenMia Gothin one of her unassuming roles. Featuring great performances all around and powerful scares,Marrowboneis one of Anya Taylor-Joy’s most underrated horror films.
Marrowbone
4’Last Night in Soho' (2021)
Directed by Edgar Wright
Last Night in Sohois a 2021 British supernatural horror film directed byEdgar Wright. The film follows a 1960s-obsessed fashion student called Ellie (Thomasin McKenzie), who moves from a small town to London to pursue her dreams. There, she begins to experience a strong and seemingly supernatural connection to Sandie (Anya Taylor-Joy), a performer from the sixties with a dark and distressing life, plunging Ellie into the center of a decades-old murder mystery.
Last Night in Sohois one of the more uniquehorror films about Gen-Z, contrasting the nostalgic view of the past held by many modern youth with the dark realities of the time. Both leads are great in their roles, with Taylor-Joy stealing the show as Sandie.Her performance is seductive and ghostly, with her deceitful, wild, and dark experiences contrasting greatly with the wide-eyed innocence of Ellie. AlthoughLast Night in Soho’s ending is somewhat unsatisfying, the film is a stylish and engaging murder mystery horror elevated by Wright’s trademark flair and solid leading performances from two of this generation’s best actresses.
Last Night in Soho
3’Split' (2016)
Directed by M. Night Shyamalan
Written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan,Splitis a 2016 supernatural horror film. It follows Casey (Anya Taylor-Joy), a teenage girl kidnapped alongside two of her classmates and held captive by Kevin Wendell Crumb (James McAvoy), a man with DID who is preparing for the emergence of a new, supernaturally strong personality, The Beast. Both Casey and Kevin have highly traumatic backgrounds, allowing them to form a twisted bond that she depends on for her survival.
Considered by many to be one of prolific directorM. Night Shyamalan’s best films,Splitis a tense and original supernatural horror film. Anya Taylor-Joy and James McAvoy both give excellent performances, establishing a compelling and nerve-wracking power dynamic that shifts throughout the film. Casey is anunderrated horror final girl, overcoming her traumatic background to become tough and highly empathetic in a way that allows her to survive her ordeal.Casey is one of Anya Taylor-Joy’s best horror protagonistsand a perfect anchor for the film, allowing McAvoy to chew as much scenery as he wants.Splitreceived very positive reviewsand spawned a sequel,Glass, with Taylor-Joy and McAvoy reprising their roles.
2’The Menu' (2022)
Directed by Mark Mylod
Directed byMark Mylod,The Menuis a 2022 black comedy horror film following Margot (Anya Taylor-Joy), a woman brought to an exclusive dining experience by her date, Tyler (Nicholas Hoult). As the night progresses, it becomes clear that renowned chef Julian Slowik (Ralph Fiennes) has planned sinister events for the night to punish the guests, and Margot must work strategically for her survival.
The film is extremely stylish, with the stunning location and delectable food creating an elegant and unique atmosphere for a horror film. Anya Taylor-Joy is great in the lead role, portrayingthe only sympathetic character in the entire filmand encouraging the audience to care about her escaping the restaurant. Her chemistry with Fiennes is crucial to making the plot work, and she goes toe-to-toe with the two-time Oscar nominee without any issue. Darkly funny, visually beautiful and immaculately acted,The Menufeatures an explosive endingthat ties its eat-the-rich concept together in a tight and bloody little bow.The film is an evocative treat for the senseswith a punchy message about consumerism, classism, and corruption and one of Anya Taylor-Joy’s strongest showings as a leading lady.
1’The Witch' (2015)
Directed by Robert Eggers
The Witchis a 2015 supernatural period horror movie written and directed byRobert Eggers. The film is set in the 1600s and follows a Puritan family led by patriarch William (Ralph Ineson), who is forced to leave their community and build a new life beside a vast forest. However, the family is quickly plagued by troubles when their youngest son is abducted by a mysterious witch while being watched by his teenage sister Thomasin (Taylor-Joy), causing high tensions between her and the rest of her family.
The film is notable for its period setting, makinggreat use of costuming, dialogue and set designto convey its distinctive historical period. Although the witch and the devil are presented as antagonistic forces, they are also characterized as subversive forces against the patriarchal culture of the setting, tempting Thomasin to follow her desires rather than simply serving men,adding interesting feminist themes to the film.The Witchwas Anya Taylor-Joy’s breakthrough, a compelling and effectively spooky coming-of-age horror film anchored by her fantastic performance and a brilliant introduction to Eggers' intense, uncompromising, and deeply atmospheric approach to horror.
