8 Essential Elizabeth Olsen Performances to Watch Ahead of ‘Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

Elizabeth Olsen may have risen to global prominence as Wanda Maximoff in the MCU, but she had established a name for herself in the industry long before that. Elizabeth's interest in acting has grown since she was four years old when she first appeared in a project with her renowned twin sisters, Mary-Kate and Ashley. Since then, Olsen has had a long list of notable acting credentials under her belts.

With the release of Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness in theaters this May, Olsen will resume her role as Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch. The second installment of the Dr. Strange franchise is an ambitious Phase 4 MCU film with complex ties to past works such as Loki, WandaVision, and Spider-man: No Way Home. In the meantime, take a look at eight of Elizabeth Olsen's most memorable performances.

A Silent House (2011)

A Silent House is a psychological horror film that follows Sarah Murphy (Olsen), a young woman who returns to her childhood home for the first time in years to help her father and uncle clean it up before selling it. Later, when Sarah is locked inside the house, things take an unusual turn.

Olsen was able to manage the long 15-minute takes necessary to achieve the film's single-take style thanks to her previous training with Atlantic Theater Company. Her portrayal of Sarah's deteriorating mental state, which got her a Chainsaw Award for Best Actress, is one illustration of her talent.

Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011)

Elizabeth Olsen and Sarah Paulson sitting down talking in Martha Marcy May Marlene — Image via This Is That and Borderline Films

In Martha Marcy May Marlene, Olsen plays Martha, a young woman who suffers intense paranoia and hallucinations after escaping from a cult. Martha unknowingly causes strain in her sister's marriage as Lucy and her husband, Ted, differ on the best approach to cope with Martha's troubles as the film progresses.

Olsen had to cope with a wide spectrum of emotions in the film, and in her first significant role, she instinctively knew how to piece together the fragments of her character's emotional state. Her outstanding portrayal of PTSD earned her multiple accolades, including the Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Most Promising Performer.

Liberal Arts (2012)

A man and a woman sit on the sofa and talk

In Liberal Arts, Olsen portrays Zibby, a 19-year-old college sophomore who is smitten by Jesse, a 35-year-old man (director Josh Radnor). Despite the fact that Zibby is far too young for him, Jesse finds freedom in their relationship and learns more about his future route.

The film, though, focuses on Radnor's character, Olsen's performance was acclaimed for transforming what could have been a secondary character into a vivid, kind, hilarious, and intelligent human being. She was deservedly nominated for the 2013 EE Bafta Rising Star Award for her performance.

I Saw The Light (2015)

A couple in cowboy outfit sing on the stage

The MCU isn't the first time Olsen and Tom Hiddleston have collaborated. They also starred beside each other in the 2015 biographical drama I Saw the Light, portraying the tragic and musical life of famed country musician Hank Williams and his tumultuous marriage to Audrey Williams.

Despite the fact that the film earned generally poor reviews from critics, Olsen's stunningly moving performance as Audrey stole the show. She not only perfected her southern accent for this role, but she also displayed a wide range of emotions in portraying the frustration and helplessness that comes with dealing with an alcoholic who also happens to be someone you love.

Ingrid Goes West (2017)

Ingid and Taylor at the desert posing for a photo while doing the peace sign in Ingrid Goes West.

The suspenseful comedy-drama Ingrid Goes West tells the story of Ingrid (Aubrey Plaza), a mentally disturbed lady who becomes enamored with Instagram influencer Taylor Sloane (Elizabeth Olsen) and goes to extraordinary lengths to befriend her.

Olsen’s Taylor is an intriguing character. Her life appears to be flawless on the surface, but she is later proven to be a mess in her own right. Olsen, naturally, nails it, and her connection with Plaza is undeniably genuine. Despite the fact that many people view social media influencers as phony, Olsen brings Taylor to life in a way that is unquestionably human.

Wind River (2017)

two law enforcement officers walking side by side in the snow

In the murder mystery Wind River, Olsen teamed up with one of her MCU co-stars, Jeremy Renner. The plot centers on the under-reported social problem of Indigenous women disappearing and being sexually abused on a regular basis. Cory Lambert (Renner) and Jane Banner (Olsen) team up to solve a murder on the reservation as a Wildlife Service worker and an FBI agent, respectively.

Olsen has no trouble portraying a character that is described as being a fish out of a tank. In comparison to other strong faces in the game, such as Renner and Gil Birmingham, her performance is credible and mesmerizing. Olsen also demonstrates that she can handle gruesome action scenes with ease.

Sorry For Your Loss (2018 - 2019)

The two-season web series, Sorry For Your Loss, followed Leigh Shaw (Olsen), who quits her career and returns home to live with her family after her husband died abruptly and tragically. With grounded, broken characters attempting to find humor anyplace they can, the show is both tragic and uplifting.

Olsen's portrayal of long-term grief was applauded for its honesty. Her performance as Leigh Shaw got her a nomination for Best TV Actress at the 2018 Critic's Choice Awards, and it also assisted her in beautifully capturing the role of Wanda Maximoff later on.

WandaVision (2021)

A woman and a robot-like man smile at the camera while sit on the sofa — Image via Disney+

WandaVision, the MCU's debut miniseries on Disney+, got the MCU off to a solid start in 2021. Following the events of Avengers: Endgame, WandaVision explores the titular protagonists’ new lives in a little town called Westview. The show combines elements of sitcoms while dealing with depression and loss, surprising both fans and critics.

With an honest and raw representation of sadness and pain, Olsen's performance in WandaVision has cemented her reputation and talent in the industry. Every time viewers catch a glimpse of Wanda on television, we can feel every ounce of her suffering as she struggles to recover from the loss of her Vision. Olsen's outstanding performance garnered her first Emmy nomination.

NEXT: 'WandaVision' Recap: Before 'Doctor Strange 2', Here's What Happened to the Scarlet Witch