Summary
- Taissa Farmiga has had a memorable career in both television and film, with standout performances in projects like "American Horror Story" and "The Nun."
- "6 Years" may not be a film for hopeless romantics, but Taissa Farmiga's performance as Mel is upsetting and heartbreaking, earning critical acclaim despite a low audience score.
- "The Final Girls" showcases Taissa Farmiga's versatility as an actress, as she delivers a fun and unserious performance in this horror comedy that earned approval from both critics and audiences.
Since 2011, Taissa Farmiga has slowly but surely made herself known as an actress to look out for in both television and film, and now, 12 years later, she has built up a pretty impressive list of projects. While some of these works may seem obvious, such as American Horror Story and The Nun, others are definitely underrated classics that more people absolutely need to see. All in all, Taissa Farmiga has had a memorable career so far that will, hopefully, only continue to grow.
Long before she became a certifiable scream queen, Taissa Farmiga was born in New Jersey to Ukrainian immigrants. She is the youngest of seven children, one of which is actress and director Vera Farmiga. In fact, Vera is the reason Taissa entered acting in the first place. In 2011, Vera persuaded Taissa to appear in her directorial debut as the younger version of her own character. Taissa agreed, and as a result of her performance, she was signed by ICM Partners and quickly began her acting career. The second character Taissa Farmiga ever played, Violet in American Horror Story, was ultimately her breakout role.
10 6 Years
In 2015, Farmiga starred in the romantic drama film 6 Years. The movie tells the story of Mel and Dan, a young couple who have been together for six years, but quickly begin to unravel. Farmiga led the film alongside Ben Rosenfield. Despite being in the romance genre, 6 Years is not a movie for the hopeless romantic, and in fact, can be something of a difficult watch. Farmiga's performance as Mel is upsetting and heartbreaking. While the movie earned a solid 69% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, its low audience score, 34%, is the reason why it sits at the bottom of this list.
9 Nun II
It may come as a surprise to see the horror flick Nun II on the list of Taissa Farmiga's best works, but this slasher definitely has some merit. A sequel to 2018's The Nun, Nun II follows Farmiga's Sister Irene as she takes on yet another case of powerful evil. Although The Nun did rather poorly upon release, Nun II has had a surprising reaction from audiences. Although its Rotten Tomatoes critics score is a 45%, the audience score is a 76%. All in all, Nun II may not be the most critically lauded horror film, but it, and Taissa Farmiga, bring a certain dose of fun that cannot be denied.
8 The Final Girls
Though Taissa Farmiga is known for her horror performances, her role in the horror comedy The Final Girls shows just how versatile she truly is. The 2015 film stars Farmiga as Max, the daughter of a scream queen actress. When Max and her friends get sucked into one of her mother's movies, they must use their horror knowledge to get out alive. Although horror comedies are always prone to flop, this star-studded movie fared very well, earning 70% approval ratings from both critics and audiences. For those looking for a bit of unserious fun from Taissa Farmiga, this film is definitely where you will find it.
7 Justice League Vs. Teen Titans
A Taissa Farmiga role that may be unfamiliar to audiences is Raven in the 2016 animated film Justice League Vs. Teen Titans. Farmiga brought the iconic and mysterious superheroine to life as the movie depicted Robin's induction into the Teen Titans and their fight against the possessed Justice League. The film performed very well for both critics and audiences, and furthermore, was cited as being more adult than a typical animated superhero project. Farmiga went on to appear in the sequel as well, Teen Titans: The Judas Contract. Both films earned strong Rotten Tomatoes scores.
6 American Horror Story: Coven
When it comes to Taissa Farmiga's television roles, nothing has been able to surpass the success she found on American Horror Story, and of the four seasons she appeared on, American Horror Story: Coven was one of the best. The third season follows a coven of witches located in New Orleans who are descended from Salem, and as a result, struggle to survive. Farmiga plays Zoe Benson, a young a witch with a deadly power. American Horror Story has high ratings, but Coven is especially well-liked. It is Certifiably Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes and has an 85% critics score, 75% audience score. Farmiga shines bright in this ensemble cast.
5 In A Valley of Violence
Another Taissa Farmiga project with an impressive ensemble is In a Valley of Violence. The 2016 Western follows a drifter who finds himself in an abandoned town run by violent and suspicious people. Alongside actors like Ethan Hawke, John Travolta, and Karen Gillian, Farmiga plays Mary-Anne, a caring inn-keeper. Despite the fact that this film didn't strike audiences as much as it did critics, In a Valley of Violence is Certifiably Fresh, and therefore, stands out among Farmiga's projects. Plus, it is a genre that she doesn't appear in often, and for that, this movie is one of her most notable.
4 Higher Ground
To see where it all began for Taissa Farmiga, audiences should definitely watch her first film, Higher Ground. The movie follows Corinne Walker, a woman who must come to terms with her religious beliefs after a friend's recent tragedy. Though Taissa's sister, Vera Farmiga, is the star of this film, Taissa shines just as bright in her role as a young Corinne. Not only that, but Higher Ground is a genuinely strong film. It is Certifiably Fresh and delves into some serious themes of identity and religion. This is a role that shows off Taissa's true acting chops, away from a specific genre.
3 American Horror Story: Murder House
Another stand-out season of television for Taissa Farmiga is American Horror Story: Murder House. It follows the Harmon family as they move into a creepy mansion in Los Angeles. Farmiga plays Violet, the Harmon's teenage daughter who begins a strange relationship with a boy named Tate. Murder House is one of the best seasons of American Horror Story, but it is also one of the most iconic. Farmiga's role as Violet, and her relationship with Evan Peters' Tate, has become one of the most memorable. To get a taste of Farmiga's early acting and her most foundational roles, Murder House is the one to watch.
2 What They Had
Though Taissa Farmiga shines in the horror genre, her roles in dramas are undoubtedly some of her best. In 2018, Farmiga appeared in the drama What They Had. The film follows a woman who returns to her childhood home after her mother wanders off into a blizzard, unraveling years of family resentment and trauma. Farmiga plays the woman's rebellious daughter, Emma. Farmiga may not be at the center of this narrative, but her screen time is undeniably strong. Plus, What They Had is an incredible movie of family and love. It is Certifiably Fresh, and therefore, definitely worth the watch.
1 We Have Always Lived In The Castle
For those who want to see Taissa Farmiga without the weight of an ensemble cast or a supporting role, We Have Always Lived In The Castle is the way to go. Based on the Shirley Jackson novel of the same name, the movie follows Farmiga's character Merricat, a young woman who becomes suspicious of her cousin when he disrupts the isolated world her and her sister have built. This movie has Farmiga right at its center, and she gives a unique and lovable performance. Overall, this is a strange and beautiful film that showcases Taissa Farmiga's talents perfectly. Plus, it is her highest rated movie to date.