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Elizabeth Olsen has become a household name, largely thanks to her role as Wanda Maximoff, aka Scarlet Witch, in the MCU. But beyond her impressive superhero persona, Olsen has built a remarkable career, balancing big-budget blockbusters with deeply affecting indie dramas. Her performances have earned critical acclaim, including nominations for both a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award.
Whether she’s anchoring a Marvel film or delivering raw, emotional performances in independent projects, Elizabeth Olsen consistently proves her versatility and depth as an actress. This slideshow highlights 17 of her best movies and TV show performances, showcasing her range and undeniable talent.
17. Red Lights (2012)
In Red Lights, Elizabeth Olsen plays a young psychic researcher alongside Cillian Murphy and Sigourney Weaver. Her character’s emotional depth and curiosity bring intrigue to this supernatural thriller, rounding out the ensemble cast.
16. Very Good Girls (2013)
Olsen co-stars with Dakota Fanning in Very Good Girls, a coming-of-age drama about two friends navigating love and life. Olsen’s vulnerable and honest portrayal helps elevate the film’s incredible stakes.
15. Wind River (2017)
In the crime thriller Wind River, Olsen plays an FBI agent sent to investigate a murder on a Native American reservation. Her performance is both strong and compassionate, playing off Jeremy Renner in an atmospheric and tense film.
14. Kill Your Darlings (2013)
Playing Edie Parker, the girlfriend of Jack Kerouac, in Kill Your Darlings, Olsen shines in a supporting role within a historical drama about the Beat Generation. Her performance adds emotional depth to a cast of literary legends.
13. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
As Wanda Maximoff makes her MCU debut in Avengers: Age of Ultron, Olsen brings a compelling mix of vulnerability, power, and emotion to the role, laying the foundation for Wanda’s future in the Marvel saga.
12. Silent House (2011)
In the psychological horror film Silent House, Olsen carries the entire film as a woman trapped in a house filled with terror. Her portrayal of fear and confusion is relentless, proving her skill in the horror genre early in her career.
11. Oldboy (2013)
In the American remake of Oldboy, Olsen plays Marie Sebastian, a woman embroiled in a man’s quest for revenge. Her performance is intense and compelling, standing out in a film full of dark twists and turns.
10. Godzilla (2014)
In Godzilla, Olsen takes on a more traditional blockbuster role as Elle Brody, a nurse trying to survive a massive monster attack. While the film is known for its spectacle, Olsen grounds the story with an emotional, human touch.
9. Ingrid Goes West (2017)
In the dark comedy Ingrid Goes West, Olsen plays a seemingly perfect Instagram influencer whose life takes a strange turn. Her sharp, satirical performance adds depth to the film’s critique of social media culture.
8. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Although her screen time in Avengers: Endgame is limited, Olsen’s character has a pivotal role in the film’s climactic battle. Her fierce display of power and emotion, especially in confronting Thanos, is a fan-favorite moment.
7. Sorry for Your Loss (2018-2019)
Olsen shines in this intimate Facebook Watch drama series, playing a widow navigating the complexities of grief. Her nuanced, heartbreaking performance in Sorry for Your Loss earned widespread critical praise.
6. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
As Wanda, Olsen showcased her powerful, vulnerable side in Avengers: Infinity War. Her chemistry with Paul Bettany (Vision) brought an intense emotional connection to the story, while her character’s tragic arc had a lasting impact.
5. Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011)
In her breakout role, Olsen plays a young woman who escapes from a cult, delivering a haunting and raw performance. Martha Marcy May Marlene earned her widespread acclaim and established her as one to watch.
4. His Three Daughters (2023)
In His Three Daughters, Olsen portrays one of three sisters reuniting to care for their dying father. The film explores family dynamics and grief emotionally, and Olsen’s nuanced performance adds depth and vulnerability to the raw, familial tension.
3. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
Returning as the Scarlet Witch, Olsen adds layers of intensity and menace in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Her portrayal of Wanda’s descent into darkness is a powerful exploration of grief and loss, pushing her character to new, darker places.
2. Love & Death (2023)
In the true-crime drama miniseries Love & Death, Olsen plays Candy Montgomery, a housewife in Texas who becomes the center of a shocking murder case. Olsen’s portrayal of the complex character earned critical praise for its intensity and the way she captures the duality of an ordinary woman entangled in extraordinary circumstances.
1. WandaVision (2021)
Olsen’s role as Wanda Maximoff reaches new emotional and narrative heights in WandaVision, blending sitcom homages with deep grief and loss. The performance earned her a Primetime Emmy nomination, demonstrating her ability to anchor an ambitious project with emotional weight.
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