ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALISTS

Female Film Critics 24/375

anya taylor joy

News 

WEEK IN WOMEN: Anya Taylor-Joy gets LUCKY – Brandy McDonnell reports

Brandy McDonnell , , , , ,

Lucky, the much anticipated limited drama series starring Golden Globe Award winner, Screen Actors Guild Award winner and Emmy Award nominee Anya Taylor-Joy is coming this summer to Apple TV. Taylor-Joy also serves as executive producer. With a star-studded ensemble cast that also includes Annette Bening, Timothy Olyphant, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Drew Starkey, Clifton Collins Jr. and William Fichtner, Lucky will make its global debut on Apple TV with the first two episodes on Wednesday, July 15, followed by new episodes every Wednesday through Aug. 19. When a multi-million-dollar heist goes sideways, con artist Lucky (Taylor-Joy) is forced to go on the run. Pursued by both the FBI and a ruthless crime boss, Lucky must fight for her life — and a way out.

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Reviews 

THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE – Review by Valerie Kalfrin

Valerie Kalfrin , , , , , , , , , ,

Packed with visual references and sprightly animation, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will have young audiences ready to “let’s a-go,” even if adults find it a busy ride. A sequel to 2023’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which earned $1.4 billion worldwide, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie bursts with more characters and colorful locations but has a less-cohesive plot.

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Reviews 

SACRIFICE – Review by Shadan Larki

Shadan Larki , , , , , ,

Sacrifice opens with an environmental charity gala in Greece that assembles a group of A-list guests. You’ve got the action star (Chris Evans), the Jeff Bezos-inspired billionaire (Vincent Cassel), the pop icon (Salma Hayek Pinault, fabulously channeling Madonna), and the fun-loving Charli xcx-type pop star (Charli xcx herself, in a fun cameo). Everyone comes in with an agenda, fight climate change, naturally, and use the camera-laden event to shift the media narrative that surrounds their celebrity status. Anya Taylor-Joy’s Joan and her cultish group of friends take the gala hostage with an agenda of their own—take three of these attendees to be sacrificed to a near-by volcano on the cusp of erupting, doing so will prevent the end of the world.

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News 

WEEK IN WOMEN: Anya Taylor-Joy’s LUCKY Comes to Apple TV+ – Brandy McDonnell reports

Brandy McDonnell , , , , , , ,

Apple TV+ will expand its award-winning original series lineup with Lucky, a new limited drama set to star Golden Globe Award winner, SAG Award winner and Emmy Award nominee Anya Taylor-Joy, who will also serve as executive producer. For Taylor-Joy, Lucky will mark her return to a streaming series after her breakout in Netflix’s 2020 drama “The Queen’s Gambit.” Additionally, Apple teamed up with Taylor-Joy for the high-action, genre-bending recently released original film The Gorge.

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Reviews 

THE GORGE – Review by Susan Granger

Susan Granger , , , , ,

The Gorge is a remote, fog-shrouded place that the most powerful nations of the world are determined to keep secret. Ever since the end of W.W, II, it’s been guarded by enormous watchtowers perched on opposite sides. This sci-horror thriller begins as two elite, world-class snipers are chosen to maintain and protect the huge, remote chasm. On the Eastern European side, there’s Drasa (Anya Taylor-Joy), a renowned markswoman from Lithuania, and on the Western side, there’s Levi (Miles Teller), an experienced American assassin who stealthily moves from the miliary to contract work. Cleverly scripted by Zach Dean (The Tomorrow War), who manages to mesh sci-fi horror with romance, and inventively directed by Scott Derrickson (Doctor Strange). It’s a fun ‘n’ frightening excursion into a chilling genetic mystery – packed with quirky historical twists, screwy sci-fi science and relentless, radioactive action.

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Commentaries Lists 

Females Take Action in 2024 Prequels – Michelle McCue reports

Michelle McCue , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Women have played significant roles in science fiction and horror films since the inception of the genres, and over the years, the female characters have become increasingly complex and empowering. In recent decades, there has been a growing trend towards strong female protagonists in sci-fi and horror films. These characters challenge traditional gender roles and demonstrate intelligence in horrific situations. They are often portrayed as capable leaders, skilled fighters, or brilliant scientists. Some notable examples of strong female protagonists in sci-fi and horror include Ellen Ripley from the Alien franchise, Sarah Connor from the Terminator franchise, Laurie Stroud from the Halloween series and Alice from Resident Evil. 2024 has been a year filled with highly anticipated prequels that included many strong performances from women in the lead roles.

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Reviews 

NOSFERATU – Review by Kat Hughes

Kat Hughes , , , , , ,

Robert Egger’s version of Nosferatu is a film that has been nearly a decade in the making. The long gestation period has been used well with Eggers’ creating a Gothic horror that sweeps the audience away. Using both F. W. Murnau’s 1922 film Nosferatu, and Bram Stoker’s Dracula novel, as his source, Eggers has woven together a sumptuous story that feels familiar, whilst having enough of the director’s stamp to set it apart from other versions.

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Reviews 

FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA – Review by Valerie Kalfrin

Valerie Kalfrin , , , , , ,

Eight years after Mad Max: Fury Road introduced one of the most electrifying female action heroes in decades with Charlize Theron’s Imperator Furiosa, the character returns in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. While this prequel and origin story is quieter in some respects than the pedal-to-the-metal feel of Fury Road, it’s still an arresting post-apocalyptic adventure with a satisfying backstory that actually enriches the earlier film. From setups that pay off in Fury Road to echoes in visuals, sound, and theme, it’s a marvelous bit of filmmaking.

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Reviews 

THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE – Review by Susan Granger

Susan Granger , , , , , , , , , ,

There’s no doubt that the new box-office champ is The Super Mario Bros. Movie, a computer-animated comedy adventure. Based on the popular video game, this family-friendly film has redeemed the Nintendo franchise’s reputation after its catastrophic 1993 live-action movie adaptation. Scripted by Matthew Fogel and directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, it’s the hectic origin story for mustached Mario and his younger brother Luigi. They’re New York plumbers who decide to start their own business, even as they’re mocked by their former boss.

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Reviews 

THE MENU – Review by Clotilde Chinnici

Clotilde Chinnici , , , ,

The Menu movie dishes are carefully planned and prepared by Chef Julian Slowik, with each dish offering a specific meaning and commentary on the food industry and wealthy clientele. The courses served throughout The Menu foreshadow the dark and deadly outcome of the dinner experience, revealing Chef Slowik’s plan to kill everyone in the end. The significance behind each dish highlights themes such as the fleeting nature of human life, the futility of pursuing perfection, and the insecurities of toxic masculinity.

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