Anya Taylor-Joy was born in Miami, Florida, to Dennis Alan Taylor, a former banker, and Jennifer Marina Joy, a psychologist. Her birth in Miami was a result of her parents vacationing in the city, which granted her American citizenship due to the country's jus soli nationality law.

Taylor-Joy moved from Buenos Aires to London with her family, where they lived in the Victoria area. This move was significant as it marked a period of cultural adjustment and initial struggles in school.

Using her savings, Taylor-Joy moved to New York at the age of 14, a decision that would eventually lead her to pursue her acting career more seriously.

Taylor-Joy left school at 16 to focus on her acting career, a pivotal decision that set the stage for her future success in the entertainment industry.

Taylor-Joy's outstanding performance as Thomasin in Robert Eggers' period horror film The Witch at the Sundance festival revealed her incredible potential to the world, marking her breakthrough in the film industry.

She starred as the title character in the thriller Morgan and as Casey Cooke in M. Night Shyamalan's horror-thriller film Split, further establishing her versatility as an actress.

Taylor-Joy was nominated for the 2017 BAFTA Rising Star Award, recognizing her rapid rise and promising career in acting.

She earned international recognition and critical acclaim for her role as Beth Harmon in the Netflix period drama miniseries The Queen's Gambit, winning a Golden Globe and SAG Award, and being nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award.

Taylor-Joy continued to showcase her range with roles in the horror film Last Night in Soho, the action film The Northman, and the black comedy film The Menu, solidifying her status as a versatile actress.

She voiced Princess Peach in the animated film The Super Mario Bros. Movie, expanding her repertoire to include voice acting.

Taylor-Joy is set to star as Imperator Furiosa in the apocalyptic film Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, marking another significant role in her ongoing career.