The Gorge Continues Anya Taylor-Joy’s Outstanding Sci-Fi Movie Streak, But This 2026 Movie Will Be Her Biggest Yet

Anya Taylor-Joy is on an exciting streak of sci-fi movies, but her recent role in The Gorge is just a reminder about her upcoming movie, which could be her biggest yet. Riding to stardom with roles in films like The Witch and Split, Anya Taylor-Joy was well on her way to becoming one of the 21st century's most iconic scream queens. However, the 28-year-old actress has proven to be capable of much more than just horror films, with her recent role as the lead in The Gorge, opposite Miles Teller, proving her capabilities as an action hero and sci-fi lead, adding to Anya Taylor-Joy’s prospering filmography.

The Gorge’s premise sees Anya Taylor-Joy and Miles Teller playing elite snipers named Drasa and Levi. They’re hired by a mysterious corporation named Dark Lake to prevent the dangerous species of the Gorge from escaping. Throughout the movie, Drasa and Levi discover fascinating details about the location they’re tasked with guarding while also forming an exciting romance. It works as both a sci-fi horror film and a romance drama, differing it from Anya Taylor-Joy’s other movies in the genre.

The Gorge Is Anya Taylor-Joy's Third Sci-Fi Movie In A Row

Anya Taylor-Joy Has Been In Dune 2, Furiosa, & Now The Gorge

Anya Taylor-Joy has been on a hot streak of movies, with 2023 seeing her have a role in the $1.36 billion Super Mario Bros. Movie. Since then, it’s been all science fiction for the young star. Her biggest role in 2024 was in George Miller’s Furiosa, opposite Chris Hemsworth, where she lent her talents as the lead in the massive Mad Max: Fury Road prequel movie. Though it wasn’t a huge hit at the box office, it’s still an outstanding action movie that expands the Mad Max movie universe with compelling new characters, factions, and lore.

Anya Taylor-Joy and Sigourney Weaver in The Gorge

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Anya Taylor-Joy also had a cameo in one of 2024’s biggest movies, the Oscar-nominated Dune: Part Two. In the film, she plays Alia Atreides, the sister to Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides, in a brief vision of the future. While it may only be a glimpse of her character, this was still one of the biggest movies of the year and arguably one of the best sci-fi films of all time, and it notably sets up Anya Taylor-Joy’s character to play an enormous role in the Dune franchise’s future.

How The Gorge Compares To Dune 2 & Furiosa

Anya Taylor-Joy Gets To Shine As A Movie Star

Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy in The Gorge poster

The Gorge may be the least popular title among Anya Taylor-Joy’s other sci-fi movies, as it’s not connected to a larger franchise, but it features her talents most prominently. Sure, she’s the titular character in Furiosa, and most of the movie follows her, but she barely has any lines in the film, preventing her from really demonstrating her movie star capabilities. She has a few lines in Dune 2, but it’s primarily set up for her role in the saga’s next movie. With that in mind, The Gorge allows the actress to really flex her chops as a movie star.

The Gorge allows the actress to really flex her chops as a movie star.

Anya Taylor-Joy’s chemistry with Miles Teller is an enjoyable aspect of the film, as both are incredibly charming actors. Furiosa has something of a romance subplot, but it’s not as integral to the film as Drasa and Levi’s bond in The Gorge. It’s also the only sci-fi movie of the three that’s set in a relatively realistic world (just with monsters). Both Furiosa and Dune 2 are set in a future where human civilization is practically unrecognizable, with humans having moved to other planets throughout the universe in Dune.

Anya Taylor-Joy Will Play A Lead Role In 2026's Dune 3

Alia Atreides Is Crucial To Dune Messiah

After her cameo in Dune 2, Anya Taylor-Joy is confirmed to have a major role in Dune: Part 3, which is set to be released in late 2026. The third part of Denis Villeneuve’s Dune trilogy will be an adaptation of the novel Dune Messiah, in which Alia Atreides essentially takes over the role of the series lead over Paul. Due to changes from the book to the movies, it’s hard to tell what exactly Alia’s role will look like, but it’s almost certain that she’ll be featured very prominently.

Denis Villeneuve’s movies could continue to prioritize the relationship between Paul Atreides and Chani (Zendaya), now with the added factor of Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh). Throwing Anya Taylor-Joy’s Alia into the mix could complicate things, but it would be challenging to tell a story that’s remotely close to the novel without her having a significant amount of screen time. Dune 3 begins filming later this year, but for now, The Gorge offers an exciting Anya Taylor-Joy sci-fi thriller.