As a chess genius in the Netflix series, the young actress became known to a worldwide audience. Now she can be seen in a new movie – and shows a completely different, very seductive side in it.
Berlin – Usually not that many people are interested in the game of chess. Nonetheless, the series “The Queen’s Gambit” became a worldwide surprise hit on Netflix around a year ago.
The previously unknown Anya Taylor-Joy plays a chess genius from an orphanage and became a star with the role itself. Now the 25-year-old takes on the leading role in a movie – and shows a completely different, very seductive side in it.
“Last Night in Soho” initially seems to tell about an outsider: Eloise (Thomasin McKenzie) is moving from her well-protected home to London to start her long-awaited fashion degree. She sublet lives with an elderly lady. But then the nightmare begins. At night Eloise ends up in London in the 1960s again and again and sees the sexy Sandie (Taylor-Joy). She is a man seductive siren with blonde hair and a dream figure. But soon the men want to take advantage of them – and suddenly Eloise finds herself in a bloody revenge thriller.
With a few moments of shock
Director Edgar Wright, known for films like “Baby Driver” and “Shaun of the Dead”, has presented a surprisingly complex film. Because “Last Night in Soho” is not only visually inspiring with its nostalgic furnishings. The work quickly turns into a clever commentary on the power balance between men and women. Wright stages this in a very bloody way and with a few moments of shock, but in the end it also becomes an unusual plea for woman power.
The young New Zealand actress McKenzie cuts a fine figure as a shy wallflower. Still, it is mainly Taylor-Joy who seemingly carries this film effortlessly. This is not only due to her radiant demeanor. You take away the seductive and the vamp from her immediately. But the 25-year-old also shows other facets over the course of the story that radiate more vulnerability and sadness. Some fans of “The Queen’s Gambit” are probably curious about this new project by Taylor-Joy – with “Last Night in Soho” they can look forward to a lot of retro flair and a feminist horror drama.
Last Night in Soho, Great Britain 2021, 117 min., FSK from 16, by Edgar Wright, with Anya Taylor-Joy, Matt Smith, Diana Rigg dpa
