Anya Taylor-Joy: Ranking Her Definitive Film and Television Roles

Anya Taylor-Joy's presence in Hollywood has solidified over the past few years, cementing her status as an actor with an undeniable knack for captivating performances across genres. From eerie period horror to Regency-era romance, she's built a remarkable and critically acclaimed filmography. This weekend, audiences will hear her voice another iconic character as she reprises her role as Princess Peach in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, set to open in theaters everywhere. It's a testament to her versatility that she can move from the gritty intensity of a *Mad Max* prequel to the lighthearted animated world of Mario.

Here's the thing about Taylor-Joy's career: she's been consistently picking projects that land well with critics. She burst onto the scene with Robert Eggers' chilling debut, The Witch, a role that instantly marked her as a talent to watch. Then came Netflix's surprisingly addictive miniseries, The Queen's Gambit, which turned her into a household name. She's collaborated with distinctive directors like Edgar Wright on the "swinging" horror-thriller Last Night in Soho, and delivered compelling turns in major franchises, including the fifth season of Peaky Blinders. Her roles have stretched from a sequel to M. Night Shyamalan's Split — which became Glass — to the long-gestating Fox-era Marvel film The New Mutants. Most recently, she took on the monumental task of portraying a younger Furiosa in George Miller's Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, a prequel to the critically adored Mad Max: Fury Road. We're taking a look at her filmography through the lens of critical reception, specifically using Rotten Tomatoes' "Certified Fresh" designation and Tomatometer scores. What's interesting is how the top of this list shapes up, especially considering her latest — and most talked about — cameo.

Her Top-Ranked Films and Series

The list of Anya Taylor-Joy's best-received projects by Tomatometer score offers some surprises, particularly at the very top. * **#1: Dune: Part Two (2024) — 92%** While it claims the top spot, let's be clear: Taylor-Joy's role as Alia Atreides here is a brief, uncredited surprise cameo. It's a massive win for Denis Villeneuve's visually stunning sci-fi epic, but it's perhaps a stretch to call it a cornerstone of *her* filmography. Still, a 92% Tomatometer score is nothing to scoff at, testament to the film's overall quality, starring Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya. The critics praised it as "Visually thrilling and narratively epic," a worthy continuation of a beloved series. * **#2: The Witch (2015) — 91%** This one feels right near the top. Her breakout role as Thomasin under Robert Eggers' direction is still a masterclass in slow-burn horror and psychological dread. Critics called it "deeply unsettling" and a showcase for "great things for debuting writer-director Robert Eggers." It’s an essential film in her journey, featuring Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, and Kate Dickie. * **#3: Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024) — 90%** George Miller’s prequel saw Taylor-Joy step into the formidable shoes of Charlize Theron's iconic character. It's a demanding, physically grueling role, and while the consensus notes it "not quite matching [Fury Road] in propulsive throttle," it still "enriches *Fury Road* with greater emotional heft." A strong showing with Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, and Tom Burke. * **#4: The Northman (2022) — 90%** Another collaboration with Robert Eggers, this Viking revenge epic allowed Taylor-Joy to showcase a different kind of strength alongside Alexander Skarsgård. Critics called it "A bloody revenge epic and breathtaking visual marvel," praising Eggers for expanding his scope without losing his "signature style." * **#5: The Menu (2022) — 88%** A sharp, dark comedy where Taylor-Joy holds her own against Ralph Fiennes' enigmatic chef. This film's critique of pretentiousness in fine dining hit home for many, delivering "black comedy with plenty of flavor" even if its "social commentary relies on basic ingredients." Her role here as the audience's surrogate, the skeptical outsider, was key. * **#6: Thoroughbreds (2017) — 87%** This darkly humorous teen thriller paired Taylor-Joy with Olivia Cooke, exploring a chilling friendship. The film was praised for juggling genres with "panache," resulting in a "well-written and refreshingly unpredictable" story. It showcased her range in a more contemporary, albeit twisted, setting. * **#7: EMMA. (2020) — 86%** Taking on a classic role, Taylor-Joy brought a fresh, vibrant energy to Jane Austen's titular matchmaker. While acknowledging other adaptations, critics found "a solid match in this *Emma.*" This allowed her to display a lighter, yet still complex, side of her acting prowess. * **#8: Barry (2016) — 80%** In this biopic about a young Barack Obama, Taylor-Joy played a supporting role as one of his girlfriends. The film itself was seen as a "flawed yet compelling glimpse of American history in the making," focusing on Devon Terrell's performance as Obama. * **#9: Split (2017) — 79%** M. Night Shyamalan's psychological thriller offered Taylor-Joy a critical role as one of James McAvoy's captives. It marked a significant return to form for Shyamalan and was seen as a "dramatic tour de force for James McAvoy," with Taylor-Joy grounding the emotional core of the terror. Continuing our deep dive into this ranking, what immediately jumps out in this segment, spanning entries #10 through #20, is the sheer ubiquity of one particular name: Anya Taylor-Joy. She's practically a gravitational force here, appearing in over half the titles. It's an impressive testament to her prolificacy and the breadth of her career, covering everything from critical darlings to big-budget animated features and even some projects that didn't quite land with critics. Before we jump into the numbers, we're kicking off this section right after what looks like M. Night Shyamalan's *Split* (2016), which featured James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy, Betty Buckley, and Haley Lu Richardson, directed by Shyamalan himself. Now, let's see where the list takes us from there.

Anya Taylor-Joy's Critical Hits and Misses

At #10, we find Last Night in Soho (2021), pulling a respectable 75% on the Tomatometer. Critics noted its struggle to maintain early momentum but praised director Edgar Wright's signature style and ambition. Taylor-Joy is a key player here, alongside Thomasin McKenzie, Matt Smith, and Terence Stamp, in a psychological thriller about an aspiring fashion designer mysteriously stepping into the 1960s. That's a solid entry. Then there's The Queen's Gambit: Miniseries at #12, a huge win with 96% from critics and 94% from audiences. This isn't just an "absolute win" as the consensus suggests; it's a testament to Taylor-Joy's magnetic screen presence. Her performance, combined with "incredibly realized period details" and intelligent writing, made this chess drama a cultural phenomenon. She anchored it, playing opposite Marielle Heller, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, and Moses Ingram. However, her filmography isn't without its weaker spots. *Radioactive* (2019) at #15, for instance, only managed a 63%. While the critics consensus praised Rosamund Pike's central performance, it didn't pull punches on the "flawed script and counterproductive storytelling choices" by director Marjane Satrapi. Taylor-Joy had a supporting role there. Looking ahead to 2025, The Gorge, directed by Scott Derrickson and also starring Miles Teller and Sigourney Weaver, sits at 62%. Critics seem split on its genre-mixing, suggesting it's an "endearing romance" that gets sidetracked by "action-thriller obligations." The *Super Mario Bros. Movie* franchise features prominently, with The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) at #17 and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026) at #19. Both, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, star Taylor-Joy alongside Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, and Jack Black. Critics weren't overly impressed, giving them 59% and 43% respectively. The consensus for the 2023 film called it "colorful -- albeit thinly plotted," while the 2026 entry, despite "out of this world" visuals, apparently suffered from a "threadbare story." It's clear that while these films had spectacle, they missed the mark on narrative depth for many critics. Finally, at the lower end of her appearances in this stretch, we see Marrowbone (2017) at #18 with 49% and Morgan (2016) at #20 with a mere 38%. *Marrowbone*, despite an "effective setting and strong cast" (including George MacKay and Charlie Heaton), failed on "thinly conceived characters and a story short on genuine scares." It’s a bit of a rollercoaster for an actor to have such highs and lows in critical reception.

Other Noteworthy Entries: Peaky Blinders and Dark Crystal

Beyond Taylor-Joy's extensive presence, this section also highlights some critically acclaimed TV. Peaky Blinders: Season 6 lands at #11 with a flawless 100% from critics and a strong 90% audience score. The consensus rightly praised its handling of Helen McCrory's untimely passing, setting a fitting end to the saga. Season 5 also made the cut at #14, earning 86% and 90% from critics and audiences respectively. It seems the show maintained its "visually thrilling" quality, even if characterization suffered slightly in its penultimate season. Cillian Murphy, Paul Anderson, and Sophie Rundle are consistently strong across these seasons. Finally, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance: Season 1 at #13, achieved an impressive 89% with critics and 94% with audiences. This prequel series managed to satisfy both old fans and newcomers, expanding the lore of the original film without losing its core emotional appeal. With a voice cast including Taron Egerton, Caitriona Balfe, and Helena Bonham Carter, it clearly resonated. Overall, this stretch of the list feels less about pure numerical rank and more about highlighting significant projects — whether for their critical acclaim or, in Taylor-Joy's case, a remarkable output that swings from major triumphs to projects that just didn't quite stick the landing. It sets up an interesting discussion about how an actor's individual success can sometimes outshine the overall critical reception of their work.The tail end of any "worst of" list is rarely pretty, but what strikes you most about these final entries, from #25 to #21, isn't just their abysmal Tomatometer scores. It's the recurring presence of Anya Taylor-Joy, an actress who, by any measure, has built an impressive and critically acclaimed career. Yet, she pops up in four of the six films highlighted here, a fascinating footnote to her otherwise stellar filmography.

A Talented Star's Missteps

Think about it: Morgan (2016), her early sci-fi outing as a bioengineered child, was widely panned for its generic approach, lacking depth despite a promising premise. Then there's Here Are the Young Men (2021), an adaptation of Rob Doyle's novel, which, despite her presence and strong acting across the board, critics deemed derivative with too many obvious narrative turns. It's a prime example of how good intentions and even good performances can't always rescue a fundamentally weak script. Her involvement continues with The New Mutants (2020), an X-Men spinoff that struggled through production woes to eventually land with a damp thud. Critics for that one, clocking in at a meager 36%, felt its "potentially explosive ingredients" ended up "mostly inert," falling short of its super-powered parts. What this all points to isn't a flaw in Taylor-Joy's craft, but rather the sheer lottery of filmmaking itself. Even established talent can find themselves caught in projects that simply don't come together. It's a brutal reminder that a compelling performance can't single-handedly salvage a shaky foundation. Looking ahead, she's also in Sacrifice (2025), which currently sits at a 38% with no consensus yet, suggesting it might continue the trend. This is just how it is in Hollywood: every actor, no matter how gifted, is going to have some entries they'd rather forget.

The Common Threads of Disappointment

Beyond individual performances, a common theme emerges in these critically maligned films. Take Glass (2019), for instance. M. Night Shyamalan's much-anticipated conclusion to his "Unbreakable" trilogy earned a disappointing 37%. Critics were clear: while there were "glimmers" of Shyamalan's signature twisty world-building, the film ultimately fizzled as a trilogy closer. The weight of expectation can be a heavy burden. Then there's Amsterdam (2022), landing at a 31%—the lowest score in this snippet. Despite a truly star-studded cast (though the fragment cuts off before listing them all), the consensus was brutal: "a bunch of big stars and a very busy plot, all of which amounts to painfully less than the sum of its dazzling parts." It’s a perfect illustration of how even top-tier talent and ambitious concepts can't compensate for a muddled vision.

The Enduring Lesson

What these final countdown entries underline, if anything, is the sheer difficulty of crafting a universally praised film. It's a delicate balance of script, direction, performance, and timing. These aren't just one-off failures; they represent persistent challenges in the industry. For anyone working on creative projects, or simply analyzing them, these examples serve as a blunt reminder: a solid premise can be squandered, star power isn't a shield against critical drubbing, and sometimes, a big budget only makes a messy film louder. The lesson? The core story and its execution remain king. And even the most brilliant actors will occasionally sign on for a project that just doesn't hit. It's part of the game.