The Lightning Bolt Star: Anya Taylor Joy’s Most Gripping Movies & TV Gems You’ll Never Forget! - Dyverse

Understanding the Context

1. The Witch (2015)

Genre: Gothic Horror/Drama
Anya Taylor-Joy’s breakout role arrived in Robert Eggers’ chilling cult classic The Witch, where she played Thomasin, a 17-year-old caught in a fevered, isolated New England village. Her performance is both innocent and dangerously rebellious, embodying youth caught between fear and defiance. The flickering cinematography, sparse dialogue, and eerie silence elevate Anya’s portrayal into something haunting and unforgettable. It was her first major break and set the stage for her meteoric rise as a leading powerhouse in dark, atmospheric storytelling.

2. Split (2016) & Glass (2019)

Genres: Psychological Thriller / Superhero Drama
Anya dazzled fans anew in Split, playing a teenager tormented by a fractured psyche—a role that earned widespread critical acclaim. Her layered performance as a girl grappling with multiple personalities showcased her range, blending vulnerability with mounting tension. She then reprised her intensity in Glass, the explosive sequel connecting Split to Us, delivering a masterclass in calm restraint amid chaos. Both films exemplify Anya’s ability to infuse cerebral, genre-blending narratives with an electrifying energy.

Key Insights

3. The Queen’s Gambit (2020)

Genre: Biographical Drama
Perhaps Anya’s most iconic role, her portrayal of Beth Harmon in The Queen’s Gambit transformed television in 2020. As a brilliant, emotionally scarred chess prodigy navigating a male-dominated world, Anya brought quiet strength, sharp wit, and raw vulnerability to every scene. The series became a cultural phenomenon, and her performance earned her an Emmy nomination and global acclaim. Beth Harmon remains one of the most compelling and inspiring characters of modern TV—an iconic representation of resilience and genius.

4. Last Night in Soho (2021)

Genre: Psychological Thriller
Anya delivered another unforgettable performance in Last Night in Soho, a dazzling yet chilling British psychological thriller. As a young bride exploring a retro London neighborhood, Anya embodies timeless allure tinged with unsettling mystery. The film’s retro aesthetic, paired with her captivating presence, creates a mesmerizing atmosphere where past and present collide with striking intensity—perfectly capturing Anya’s mastery of atmospheric storytelling.

5. The Northman (2022)

Genre: Viking Epic / Revenge Drama
In Robert Eggers’ visceral and mythic The Northman, Anya Taylor-Joy shines as Olga, the resolute and vengeful heart of the epic. Her performance balances quiet determination with fierce loyalty, anchoring the film’s brutal, bloody saga with emotional depth. Anya’s portrayal humanizes myth, bringing warmth and tragedy to a tale of blood feuds and destiny—proving once again her ability to transform complex characters into deeply memorable roles.

6. The Box (Upcoming)

Genre: Dystopian Thriller
Fans eagerly await Anya’s next masterpiece in The Box, a gripping new limited series set in a perilous, surveillance-heavy world. As the central character, her performance promises to deliver the same intensity, precision, and emotional nuance that define her career. With sci-fi elements meeting psychological tension, this progettose into her ongoing legacy as the star who electrifies genre storytelling.