Anya Taylor-Joy’s 8 Horror Films Ranked: The Best and Worst Revealed!

by

In less than a decade following her standout performance in Robert Eggers’ “The Witch” (2015), Anya Taylor-Joy has built an exceptional body of work, showing remarkable acting talent beyond her years. This young actress, after just one role, quickly became highly sought-after in the film industry due to her gripping performances, vast emotional range, and unmatched versatility. Given her ability to bring every movie she’s a part of to new heights, it’s no wonder she has risen to prominence.

In the Netflix miniseries titled “Gambit Queen” (2021), her exceptional performance as Beth Harmon earned her both a Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award. Taylor-Joy is widely recognized for her roles in films such as Emma Woodhouse in “Emma” (2020) and Imperator Furiosa in “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” (2024). Some of her other notable works include “Thoroughbreds” (2017), “The Northman” (2022), and “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” (2023). However, it is in the genre of horror where she truly outshines. Her horror movie credits span from “The Witch” to a future release titled “The Gorge” (2025). These are her horror films, ranked according to their release dates.

8
‘Morgan’ (2016)

Under the guidance of director Luke Scott, son of renowned filmmaker Ridley Scott, the movie titled Morgan features Taylor-Joy in the leading role as a unique AI-humanoid being produced by SynSect, a company specializing in genetic engineering. An incident occurs when she assaults one of the scientists at the isolated research facility where she was developed. As a result, corporate risk-management expert Lee Weathers (Kate Mara) is summoned to decide whether the lab should shut down its project or maintain it, considering Morgan’s potential danger.

Big Ambitions, Little Payoff

Morgan seems to be riding on the coattails of Ex-Machina’s (2014) triumph. The film delves into the intricate ethical quandaries surrounding artificial intelligence, human trials, and free will, while posing the thought-provoking question about what constitutes humanity. However, due to a forgettable storyline and repetition of concepts previously presented in movies such as the one mentioned above, its endeavors are disappointingly lackluster. The film’s sole redeeming factor is Taylor-Joy, who skillfully infuses her character with both sinister and delicate traits. Additionally, Mara gives a commendable performance in her supporting role.

7
‘The New Mutants’ (2020)

The New Mutants is a standalone film from the X-Men movie franchise. This superhero horror flick revolves around a team of five young mutants: Illyana Rasputin, also known as Magik (Taylor-Joy), Rahne Sinclair, or Wolfsbane (Maisie Williams), Sam Guthrie, who goes by Cannonball (Charlie Heaton), Danielle Moonstar, known as Mirage (Blu Hunt), and Roberto da Costa, or Sunspot (Henry Zaga). The story unfolds as they navigate a mysterious, ominous institution where they’re subjected to tests and kept confined. As they struggle with their past traumas, they also strive to break free from this place.

An Underwhelming Superhero Movie

The much anticipated movie boasted a stellar cast and high expectations, but fell short in its delivery. The initial horror elements were captivating, but the film transitioned into an underwhelming drama in its latter stages. There are numerous aspects that didn’t pan out, including insufficient suspense, limited character development, and a confusing plotline. Despite lacking depth, it’s enjoyable to watch Anya Taylor-Joy use the Soulsword and battle the Demon Bear on screen.

6
‘Marrowbone’ (2017)

Marrowbone

This gothic horror movie was written and directed by Sergio G. Sánchez, who also penned the 2007 hit, The Orphanage. The Spanish-language English film focuses on a family of five: a mother and her four children fleeing from England to her childhood home in rural Maine. Tragically, their mother passes away months later, leaving the siblings to maintain the secret of her death until their eldest brother, Jack (George MacKay), turns 18 to take on legal guardianship. As they grow older, they must confront a nosy lawyer and an eerie presence in their home. Actress Anya Taylor-Joy portrays Allie, Jack’s romantic interest, while Mia Goth and Charlie Heaton appear in supporting roles.

A Beautiful, Harrowing Tale

Marrowbone is skillfully filmed and visually captivating all the way through, featuring rich and emotional cinematography. While the narrative might seem familiar to horror enthusiasts, it remains engaging, with an eerie ambiance that’s spine-tingling right from the start and lasts until the end. The conclusion is a powerful, heart-wrenching surprise.

5
‘The Gorge’ (2025)

The Gorge marks Apple TV+’s most successful film premiere so far. It revolves around two elite snipers: Miles Teller as Levi Kane, a former US Marine, and Drasa, portrayed by Taylor-Joy, who’s a Lithuanian covert operative. Their mission is to monitor a secret gorge from their separate watchtowers for an entire year without any interaction. However, they eventually disobey the rules, leading to chaos and romantic entanglements.

A Genre-Bending Film

In their budding relationship, the couple uncovers the real task they’re facing, and they must struggle to escape alive together. Despite criticism that the movie attempts to blend too many elements, it succeeds. The unique fusion of genres creates an exciting sci-fi horror romance, with its compelling central performances adding to its success.

4
‘Last Night in Soho’ (2021)

Titled “Last Night in Soho”, this upcoming film presents a unique blend of genres, featuring Taylor-Joy and boasting elements of psychological horror, time travel, and murder mystery. British actress Thomasin McKenzie portrays Eloise Turner, a budding fashion designer who relocates to London to chase her dreams. Upon settling into her new apartment, she uncovers the ability to traverse through dreams to the swinging ’60s, where she encounters Sandie (also played by Taylor-Joy), an emerging singer with ambitions similar to Eloise’s. As Eloise delves deeper into these dreams, she starts to unravel a much darker and sinister connection between herself and the woman from another era.

The Swinging Sixties

In a captivating and spellbinding manner, Taylor-Joy delivers an impressive performance, paired with the wide-eyed innocence of McKenzie. The film masterfully recreates the ’60s atmosphere, boasting spectacular set designs that transport viewers back in time – offering a visually tantalizing journey for the artistic mind. Notably, the soundtrack is skillfully composed of hits from the era, and Taylor-Joy’s vocal talents shine brightly as she gracefully sings several songs for the movie.

3
‘Split’ (2016)

M. Night Shyamalan’s hidden sequel to the 2000 film “Unbreakable” eventually led to the release of “Glass” in 2019. The film, titled “Split“, features James McAvoy as Kevin Wendell Crumb, a man grappling with a severe case of dissociative identity disorder. Anya Taylor-Joy portrays Casey Cooke, a teenager who, along with her friends Haley Lu Richardson as Claire and Jessica Sula as Marcia, is kidnapped by Crumb. They find themselves in a hidden lair beneath the Philadelphia Zoo while in captivity. There, they encounter all of Crumb’s multiple personalities, learning that they are all anticipating the arrival of the 24th personality, whom he calls “The Beast.” The narrative revolves around Casey as she strategizes to escape her confinement.

A Box Office Success

The film, a powerful and indelible experience, is often hailed as one of the writer-director’s greatest achievements. James McAvoy masterfully embodies each character’s unique personas, metamorphosing into completely different individuals with each role. The gifted Anya Taylor-Joy breathes depth and vulnerability into her character, leaving viewers in awe of her talent so early in her career. This movie eventually grossed $278.5 million at the box office on a mere budget of $9 million.

2
‘The Menu’ (2022)

Under the guidance of director Mark Mylod, the film titled The Menu is a unique blend of dark comedy and horror, boasting an impressive ensemble cast consisting of Nicholas Hoult, Ralph Fiennes, Janet McTeer, Judith Light, Hong Chau, and John Leguizamo. In this production, Anya Taylor-Joy plays Margot, a shrewd young woman who finds herself on a lavish culinary adventure on an isolated island, orchestrated by the world-renowned chef Julian Slowik (Fiennes). As the evening unfolds, it becomes apparent that the chef has something far more ominous than a gourmet meal in store.

Deadly Social Commentary

The Movie, in a nutshell, is an exceptionally chic, clever, and suspenseful satire that explores themes such as social class differences, the hollow nature of wealth, consumerism, and the pretentiousness of high culture. Through its intricate menu laden with metaphors, it also delves into how capitalism strips artists of their joy and passion for creation. Notably, both Fiennes and Taylor-Joy were nominated for Golden Globes due to their exceptional performances.

1
‘The Witch’ (2015)

The Witch” is a horror movie based on folk traditions, set in the grim environment of 17th-century New England. The story revolves around a devout Christian family who are forced to relocate to the outskirts of a foreboding forest due to a religious disagreement within their settlement. Anya Taylor-Joy plays Thomasin, the eldest daughter. Ralph Ineson and Kate Dickie portray her parents, while Harvey Scrimshaw represents the preteen son Caleb, and Ellie Grainger and Lucas Dawson take on the roles of the young twins Mercy and Jonas. As the family adapts to their new lifestyle, they are beset by mysterious occurrences on their farm, hinting at an ominous presence lurking in the surrounding woods. Regrettably for Thomasin, her mother suspects her of being responsible for the family’s misfortunes.

A True Masterpiece

Robert Eggers is deeply devoted to making the past feel eerily unfamiliar and unsettling for contemporary viewers. His first feature movie is certainly no exception. With a keen focus on detail and a dedication to the story, he takes us back in time, stirring up Puritan anxieties about witchcraft, generating genuine, untainted fear. Taylor-Joy delivers an outstanding performance in this spine-tingling examination of religious extremism, male dominance, repression, and familial distress. The film offers one of the most satisfying “happy for her” conclusions in horror movie history.

Read More

2025-03-23 18:03