Taylor-Joy the Witch is an enthralling film that showcases the exceptional talent of its lead actress, Anya Taylor-Joy. Set in 17th century New England, the movie tells the story of a family banished from their Puritan plantation and forced to live on the outskirts of a dark and foreboding forest. As supernatural occurrences begin to befall the family, suspicion falls on their teenage daughter, Thomasin, played by Taylor-Joy. From the very first scene, Taylor-Joy captivates the audience with her hauntingly intense portrayal of a young girl slowly descending into perceived darkness. Her innocent yet piercing blue eyes perfectly convey the internal struggle faced by her character, torn between her own desires and the suffocating religious beliefs imposed upon her. Taylor-Joy's physicality and use of body language brilliantly exemplify Thomasin's transformation, making viewers question whether she is truly wicked or simply a victim of circumstance.
October 19, 2023
The adaptation revolves around a group of Oxford students, one of whom undertakes research into the secrets of Ancient Egypt, which become the talk of the college. The adaptation revolves around a group of Oxford students, one of whom undertakes research into the secrets of Ancient Egypt, which become the talk of the college.
Taylor-Joy's physicality and use of body language brilliantly exemplify Thomasin's transformation, making viewers question whether she is truly wicked or simply a victim of circumstance. Not only does Taylor-Joy deliver a remarkable performance in terms of her acting abilities, but she also effortlessly navigates the challenging narrative of the film. "The Witch" is a slow-burn horror, relying on atmospheric tension rather than cheap jump scares.
Anya Taylor-Joy Recalls Turning Down Disney to Star in ‘The Witch’ Instead
These days, Anya Taylor-Joy is seemingly EVERYWHERE – and that’s a good thing, to be clear! – but there was a time not all that long ago when none of us knew her name. That was, of course, until her breakout role in the Robert Eggers horror movie The Witch back in 2015, which launched Taylor-Joy’s career and led to subsequent roles in Split, Glass, The New Mutants, The Northman and the upcoming The Menu, as well as George Miller’s Furiosa.
But let’s jump back to 2015 for a minute. In a new chat with Harper’s Bazaar this week, Anya Taylor-Joy recalls that she was facing down a very tough career dilemma at the time. When she was offered The Witch, Taylor-Joy was forced to turn down another big opportunity.
“I remember it was the same day I got asked to be in a Disney Channel pilot, and it was so exciting to be offered anything at all that I ran around the house like a loon,” Taylor-Joy tells the outlet. “But I just had this really good feeling about The Witch that made me willing to forego the Disney experience for the thing that felt unknown to me, the thing that felt sacred.”
She says of her experience on The Witch, “It gave me the cornerstones of the way I work now, which is essentially the idea that there is no hierarchy on set: you work hard, you stay on top of the shots and you don’t assume anyone else is going to do that for you. Your title doesn’t stop at actor – you’re a creative on this film, and that’s how you need to approach it.”
“I thought I’d done a really bad job, and I saw myself failing miserably with this dream I’d had for such a long time,” she admits. “I guess I’m not always the best judge of my own work.”
Related Topics: Anya Taylor JoyRobert EggersThe WitchWriter in the horror community since 2008. Editor in Chief of Bloody Disgusting. Owns Eli Roth's prop corpse from Piranha 3D. Has four awesome cats. Still plays with toys.
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Taylor-Joy effectively balances the fine line between terror and vulnerability, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats throughout the movie. Furthermore, Taylor-Joy's chemistry and dynamic with the rest of the cast enhance the overall quality of the film. She seamlessly interacts with her on-screen family, creating a believable and authentic relationship that strengthens the emotional impact of the story. It is a testament to Taylor-Joy's talent that she can hold her own alongside seasoned actors such as Ralph Ineson and Kate Dickie. In conclusion, "The Witch" is a tour de force of horror cinema that is elevated by the exceptional performance of Taylor-Joy. Her portrayal of a young girl grappling with her identity and the supernatural is nothing short of mesmerizing. With her immense talent and on-screen presence, it is no wonder that Taylor-Joy has become one of the most sought-after actresses in Hollywood today..
Reviews for "From Screen to Scares: Taylor Joy's Journey in 'The Witch"
1. John Doe - 2/5 - I found "The Witch" to be a slow and confusing film. The dialogue was often hard to understand, and the story lacked a clear direction. The acting from Anya Taylor-Joy was decent, but it couldn't salvage the poorly executed plot. Additionally, the ending left me feeling unsatisfied and confused about the whole purpose of the film. Overall, "The Witch" was a disappointing experience and not one that I would recommend to others.
2. Sarah Thompson - 1/5 - I really don't understand the hype around "The Witch". The movie was incredibly slow-paced and dragged on for what felt like hours. The supposed horror elements were minimal, and the jump scares were predictable and ineffective. Anya Taylor-Joy's performance was lackluster, and the characters were underdeveloped. Overall, "The Witch" failed to captivate me and left me bored and disinterested.
3. Michael Smith - 2/5 - I am truly baffled by the positive reviews for "The Witch". The film was incredibly slow and lacked any real tension or scares. The story was muddled and confusing, leaving me uninvested in the characters and their struggles. While Anya Taylor-Joy's performance was decent, it wasn't enough to salvage the overall disappointment of the film. "The Witch" was a letdown, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a gripping horror experience.
4. Emily Johnson - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "The Witch", but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The pacing was extremely slow, and the story never seemed to fully come together. There were moments of potential, but they were overshadowed by the lack of a clear plot. Anya Taylor-Joy's acting was one of the highlights, but it wasn't enough to make up for the film's shortcomings. Overall, "The Witch" was a disappointment and not one that I would revisit or recommend to others.
5. David Brown - 1/5 - "The Witch" was a complete waste of time. The plot was confusing and uninteresting, with very little payoff. I expected a terrifying and suspenseful horror film, but instead, I was left bored and underwhelmed. Anya Taylor-Joy's performance was one of the few redeeming qualities, but it wasn't enough to salvage the overall disappointment of the movie. I would advise others to skip "The Witch" and choose a more engaging horror film instead.