Anya Taylor-Joy was seen leaving ABC Studios in New York City on Thursday, promoting her new Apple TV series, "Lucky." The actress, who also co-produced the series alongside Reese Witherspoon, drew attention in a sheer burnt orange Ferragamo dress from the Maximilian Davis Collection, paired with gold heels and jewelry. The dress featured a sequined metallic panel and a fluid skirt.
"Lucky," which premiered on Apple TV+ on July 15, follows the story of con artist Luciana 'Lucky' Armstrong, played by Taylor-Joy. The plot centers on her forced flight after a multimillion-dollar heist goes awry, with her being pursued by both the FBI and a crime boss, portrayed by Annette Bening. The series consists of seven episodes.
Early reviews for "Lucky" have been divided. Some critics have described the series as "tediously formulaic," while others have praised Taylor-Joy's performance, calling her "riveting."
The Daily Telegraph awarded the series two out of five stars, with critic Ed Power noting a perceived lack of originality, likening the story to a mash-up of "Pulp Fiction" and 1990s Leonard adaptations. Power suggested that Taylor-Joy's character is defined by the men in her life and that she appeared "mildly discommoded throughout."
Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com also gave two stars, criticizing "Lucky" as an example of the "Why Isn’t This a Movie" problem in the streaming era, suggesting that the show spins its wheels to meet episode orders rather than developing the story at a reasonable pace.
The Guardian gave "Lucky" three stars, calling it "classic summer viewing" but suggesting it "refuses to commit to its nonsense." The publication noted the script and theme tune but praised the cast, including Taylor-Joy, Annette Bening, and Timothy Olyphant.
In contrast, NME offered a more positive review, awarding four stars and describing the series as "instantly gripping, filled with twists and lots of fun." Critic Nick Levine called it a "breathless affair from the off" and praised Taylor-Joy's action chops, honed in "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga," stating she is "riveting" as the lead.
The Wrap lauded Taylor-Joy's performance as her "career-best" and called the thriller "electrifying," noting that she carries the story on her shoulders. They described the show as a "non-stop thrills" experience with a fast pace and a good balance of episodic and serialized storytelling.
Variety also commended Taylor-Joy's portrayal, contrasting it with her role in "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga." The publication suggested that "Lucky" explores themes of self-confrontation and embracing one's flaws.
The Hollywood Reporter expressed a divided opinion, describing the series as a mix of "frivolous lark" and "self-important commentary," but acknowledged that Taylor-Joy and the ensemble cast "work hard to swim against the underdeveloped stream."