What is Anya Taylor-Joy’s most famous role? A look at her breakout performance

Anya Taylor-Joy had her breakthrough with The Witch. In the huge pantheon of talented artists and actresses, certain performers surpass all expectations, with striking screen presence and undeniable acting talent. One of the most inspirational names among them is Anya Taylor-Joy.

Anya has acted in memorable roles, but her breakout performance left a lasting impact on the world of cinema. This particularly engaging role catapulted her into mainstream fame.

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How Anya Taylor-Joy entered Hollywood

Anya Taylor-Joy was born to a British-Argentine family in 1966. She had a multicultural upbringing that spanned different geographical places. Her start was humble, as a ballet dancer, but she carried the same poise onto the screen.

Taylor-Joy made her debut in 2015 with the horror masterpiece from A24 Studios, The Witch. This was hailed as another masterclass in period horror by Robert Eggers. She graced the role of Thomasin, a character in which one will find a haunting portrayal of female oppression and the horrors it brings.

This grand start enabled her to take up future projects, spanning performances like Split (2016), Thoroughbreds (2017), and Emma. (2020) each showcasing her capacity to portray a wide variety from her acting range.

A look at her breakout performance in The Witch

Thomasin was a character who offered a chilling portrayal of an exiled teenage girl in a Puritan New England. As a result of the exile, Thomasin is compelled to live in the dark forest. Soon, some strange, terrifying events destabilize the locality— from disappearances to mysterious deaths, suspicion begins to creep in.

Thomasin, the outcast, becomes the focus of the mounting distrust. The situation and the progress thereof make us question what really is witchcraft and what really is happening to Thomasin.

To build the tension and make an unsettling impact, the story portrays Thomasin as a character burdened by expectations, shame, and spiritual dread. It is at this crucial point that Taylor-Joy's performance shines brighter than the screen—she maturely handles the range of emotions, starting from confusion, to suppressed rage. She absorbs the struggles of Thomasin to deliver a chilling, organic acting performance.

Her facial expression quietly captures the frustration and confusion of Thomasin when, even after her best efforts, she cannot control certain things. Her expressive eyes carry the burden of acting when words are sparse.

This role was not like how other horror movies have been portrayed in the past. It is nuanced, psychological, and deeply reflective of the atmosphere it tries to convey to its audience.

What made Anya Taylor-Joy's breakout performance so good?

1. She captures Thomasin’s emotional maturity

A lesser-known fact about The Witch is that Anya Taylor-Joy was only eighteen years old at the time of filming. Acting in this challenging role required a high understanding of characters and their motivations. Anya Taylor-Joy captured the subtlety of the character and the script—Thomasin, she is not hysterical, but haunted.

The performance demanded an eye for balance between innocence and suspicion. Anya Taylor-Joy pulled it off with ease. The performance appeared organic and not performative.

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2. A Role Steeped in Psychological Horror

Robert Eggers offered a masterclass in atmospheric horror in The Witch. This movie was not laced with jump scares, but nonetheless, it induced a sense of discomfort, dread, and religious paranoia.

Taylor-Joy understood this tone. Instead of giving an over-the-top, high-pitched performance, her presence anchors the story. Her expressions acted as the emotional bridge between the audience and the film’s gripping terror.

3. Historical Immersion and Authenticity

The Witch tried to be as authentic as it could with its 17th-century dialect, costume, and lighting. Delivering period dialogue in archaic English without inducing over-the-top theatricality is no easy job, but Anya Taylor-Joy does it gracefully. We get an authentic and immersive depiction of Thomasin, the exiled girl. This honesty and immersive quality stay with you even after the credits roll.

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4. A Feminist Undercurrent

At its heart, The Witch is about a girl struggling to retake her power in a world that constantly crushes her autonomy. The climax of the film (not to be spoiled) traces Anya Taylor-Joy's (vis-à-vis Thomasin's) shift from oppression to rebellion.

Anya Taylor-Joy pulls off the arc with remarkable poise. As the movie reaches its conclusion, the scenes are without words. But the acting is not mute. The quiet rebellion of the exiled female resonates with many.

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5. Establishing a Signature Style

One of the most cherished qualities of an artist lies in the artist's unique, signature imprints. Anya Taylor-Joy, too, has a distinctive acting style—one that is marked by control, precision, and a high-gravity screen presence.

She carried these rare qualities into her projects as well. Her traits bled into the roles like Beth Harmon (The Queen’s Gambit) and Margot (The Menu). But let us not forget that the journey begins with Thomasin.

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Overall, Anya Taylor-Joy has etched her name in the canon of the most talented actresses of contemporary film and the artistic world. Her rise to prominence was magnetic, as is her screen presence in any role she takes up.