Anya Taylor-Joy Weirdness! The Witch, The Menu, Morgan, Last Night in Soho, Split
In this episode, Jay Dyer and his guests delve into the filmography of Anya Taylor-Joy, examining how her roles reflect complex themes of trauma, mind control, and occult symbolism. They analyze various films featuring Taylor-Joy, such as 'The Witch', 'Split', and 'The Menu', highlighting how these narratives often expose deeper societal issues while perpetuating harmful myths about Hollywood. The discussion covers motifs related to identity, class dynamics, and the exploration of psychological fragmentation, as well as critiques of the entertainment industry's portrayal of women and power. They also touch on the implications of technology, transhumanism, and the ritualistic elements embedded within these films, ultimately linking them to broader cultural and philosophical questions.
Chain 6 steps
- Jay Dyer: There are parallels between Anya Taylor-Joy and Mila Jovovich regarding their fashion backgrounds and roles in film.“there are a lot of parallels to that, to Mila Jovovich”
via The Witch- James White: Dissociation and occult themes are consistent in Anya's films.“not just dissociation and trauma”
- Jay Dyer: Movies portray power dynamics for the powerless, using humor to deflect criticism of oppressive systems.“...function is like power trips for the powerless.”
via The Menu- Jay Dyer: Contemporary horror films often feature a theme of women's revenge against patriarchal structures.“Now many horror films happen. And this is a horror film that the menu is a horror film.”
- Jay Dyer: The character Dr. Shapiro in 'Morgan' represents an odd choice in the film.“it was an odd choice for the, uh, Paul Giamatti character to play Dr. Ben Shapiro.”
- James White: Nick Land's philosophical ideas are critical to understanding the underlying transhumanist themes in 'Morgan'.“I mentioned Nick Land, who I think is an important figure to understand.”
Subjects
24Jay Dyer discusses Anya Taylor-Joy by suggesting her selection for roles in horror and thrillers often relates to themes of trauma and dissociation, questioning the narratives surrounding her rise to fame.
Jay critiques 'Morgan' as a narrative that explores transhumanism and the character's role as a 'sacrificial, innocent victim' forced to confront corporate greed.
Jay critiques 'The Menu' as part of a trend in cinema that examines the cult-like aspects of society through the lens of food and entertainment.
Jay discusses 'Last Night in Soho' in the context of cultural commentary and references to other films, such as the Bond franchise.
Jay connects the thematic elements of 'Split' with those of 'The Menu', pointing to a wider discussion of higher themes in Shyamalan's films.
Jay discusses Mila Jovovich as an example of an actress fitting a pattern of early sexualization and connections to the modeling industry.
Jay describes 'The Witch' as a film where Anya Taylor-Joy's character undergoes a transformation that involves satanic themes.
Jay references Hitchcock while discussing the manipulation and torture of women in film.
Dyer references Bruce Willis to illustrate the sudden rise to fame in Hollywood, questioning the authenticity of such origin stories.
Jay analyzes how dissociation themes appear repeatedly in films featuring Anya Taylor-Joy and others, questioning their cultural implications.
Jay references M. Night Shyamalan to illustrate the common thematic threads in his various films, especially concerning cult dynamics.
Jay mentions Brian Cox's role in 'Morgan' as part of exploring themes related to manipulation and control within the film's narrative.