"The Witch" is a critically acclaimed horror film directed by Robert Eggers, released in 2015. The lead role of Thomasin was played by Anna Taylor-Joy, who gained recognition for her exceptional performance. The movie tells the story of a 17th-century New England family banished from their Puritan community and trying to survive in isolation. As their crops mysteriously fail and their newborn son goes missing, the family becomes convinced that evil supernatural forces are at work, particularly Thomasin being accused of witchcraft. Throughout the movie, Taylor-Joy's portrayal of Thomasin's innocent yet enigmatic nature captivates audiences, making her an unforgettable character. The success of "The Witch" marked a turning point in Taylor-Joy's career, leading to numerous other notable roles in the thriller and horror genres.
Taylor-Joy also reunited with “The Witch” director Robert Eggers last year to shoot “The Northman,” opening April 2022 from Focus Features. The intense feelings that broke her heart on “The Witch” were exactly the same feelings Taylor-Joy couldn’t wait to experience again heading into working with Eggers and his team again.
Next up for Taylor-Joy is playing Furiosa in George Miller s highly anticipated Mad Max Fury Road prequel, which will be the biggest film project of her career so far. Flashing forward to The Queen s Gambit, the Netflix limited series sensation starring Taylor-Joy as a damaged chess prodigy, the actress added, I think spending seven episodes with Beth was good.
The success of "The Witch" marked a turning point in Taylor-Joy's career, leading to numerous other notable roles in the thriller and horror genres. With her intense on-screen presence and undeniable talent, Anna Taylor-Joy has become a prominent figure in the film industry..
Anya Taylor-Joy Rejected Disney Offer So She Could Star in ‘The Witch’ Instead: I Had a ‘Really Good Feeling’ About It
Anya Taylor-Joy revealed in a recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar magazine that she rejected an offer to star in a Disney Channel pilot in order to act in Robert Eggers’ “The Witch” instead. The 2015 horror movie served as Taylor-Joy’s acting breakthrough. Suffice to say, the Emmy nominee’s career would’ve looked a whole lot different if she went the Disney route. Taylor-Joy got offers from Disney and “The Witch” on the exact same day.
“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 said. “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.”
Taylor-Joy knows she made the right decision, and she credited “The Witch” for giving her “the cornerstones of the way I work now,” adding, “It’s 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.”
Several years and many roles later, Taylor-Joy still holds her experience filming “The Witch” in high regard. During an interview for Variety’s “Actors on Actors” in 2021, Taylor-Joy cited “The Witch” as her first “heartbreak.”
“My first heartbreak was not a relationship. My first heartbreak was finishing my first job [on “The Witch”], and experiencing that loss,” Taylor-Joy said. “The loss of there was a world that existed with a group of people that became my everything for a period of time, and now it’s over. I had no concept as to how to deal with that.”
Taylor-Joy recently wrapped production on George Miller’s “Furiosa,” a prequel to “Mad Max: Fury Road” that Warner Bros. is set to release in theaters on May 24, 2024. The actor will next grace the big screen in “The Menu,” opening Nov. 17 from Searchlight Pictures.
.
Reviews for "The Witch Anna Taylor-Joy: A Defining Role"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Witch" starring Anna Taylor-Joy. I found the plot to be slow and confusing, and it left me feeling unsatisfied at the end. The movie was marketed as a horror film, but it lacked any real scares or tension. Additionally, I felt like the characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to connect with them. Overall, "The Witch" was a letdown for me and I would not recommend it to others looking for a thrilling horror experience.
2. Sarah - 3 stars - Although I appreciate the artistic direction of "The Witch" and Anna Taylor-Joy's performance was decent, I couldn't fully enjoy the movie. The slow pace and lack of a clear storyline made it hard for me to stay engaged throughout. The ambiguous nature of the plot, while intriguing for some, left me feeling confused and wanting more closure. There were a few tense moments in the film, but they were overshadowed by the overall lackluster execution. Overall, "The Witch" had potential, but it fell short for me.
3. Michael - 2.5 stars - "The Witch" starring Anna Taylor-Joy was not what I was expecting. The trailer portrayed it as a terrifying and suspenseful horror film, but it turned out to be a slow-burning period piece with some supernatural elements. While the cinematography and aesthetics were impressive, the plot felt meandering and disjointed. I also found the dialogue to be difficult to understand at times due to the heavy use of old English. All in all, "The Witch" didn't live up to the hype for me, and I left the theater feeling underwhelmed.