The Ultimate Ranking of Elizabeth Olsen’s Last 7 Years of Acting — The Surprising Top Choice
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Elizabeth Olsen is one of Hollywood’s most versatile actresses, celebrated for her range in both blockbuster films and smaller, character-driven projects. Known for her iconic role as Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Olsen has also embraced independent films and TV series, continuously pushing her boundaries as an actor. Over the past seven years, Olsen has delivered a number of critically acclaimed performances, and this ranking considers the depth of her roles, critical reception, and awards recognition between 2018 and 2025.
1. His Three Daughters (2024)
Role: Christina | Film
Ranked first by Collider and rated 8/10 by Screen Rant, Olsen’s performance in His Three Daughters is considered her best in recent years. In this emotional drama, Olsen portrays Christina, a character navigating complex family dynamics and profound personal struggles. Critics have praised her ability to embody nuanced emotions, and the film has been highly rated, with Olsen’s performance being the standout. This role demonstrates her range in portraying a deeply layered, emotionally complex character, solidifying it as her most powerful performance in this period.
2. Love & Death (2023)
Role: Candy Montgomery | TV Miniseries
Olsen’s portrayal of Candy Montgomery in Love & Death, a true-crime miniseries, earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film. Critics lauded her ability to bring depth and humanity to a character based on a real-life figure involved in a highly publicized murder case. The performance highlights Olsen’s versatility, as she shifts from her more familiar roles to portray a woman caught in a complex moral and emotional web. It’s a standout in her career, showcasing both her skill in dramatizing a real-life tragedy and her depth in navigating difficult psychological terrain.
3. WandaVision (2021)
Role: Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch | TV Miniseries
Olsen’s performance in WandaVision is arguably one of her career-defining moments. Nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film, Olsen brought a blend of dramatic range, humor, and surrealism to her portrayal of Wanda Maximoff as she navigates grief, loss, and personal transformation. The role allowed Olsen to explore the complexity of her character, blending superhero action with a deeply emotional journey. Critics and audiences alike were captivated by her performance, which remains a highlight in her filmography.
4. Sorry for Your Loss (2018–2019)
Role: Leigh Shaw | TV Series
Ranked second by CBR, Sorry for Your Loss features Olsen in a poignant portrayal of grief as Leigh Shaw, a woman grappling with the sudden death of her husband. This performance showcased Olsen’s ability to balance vulnerability with strength, giving a deeply authentic and relatable portrayal of loss. The series may not have garnered as much mainstream attention as some of her other works, but Olsen’s performance was universally praised for its depth and sensitivity, making it one of her finest TV roles.
5. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
Role: Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch | Film
In Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Olsen reprises her role as Wanda Maximoff, now fully embracing the Scarlet Witch persona. Ranked seventh by Collider, this film allowed Olsen to delve into a darker, more intense side of her character, confronting grief and moral ambiguity. Her performance, particularly in emotionally charged scenes, was praised for its emotional intensity. While her role was more villainous than her previous iterations, Olsen’s portrayal of Wanda’s descent into madness added significant emotional depth to the MCU’s exploration of loss and identity.
6. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Role: Wanda Maximoff | Film
Ranked fourth by Collider, Avengers: Infinity War sees Wanda Maximoff take on a key emotional role in the MCU’s battle against Thanos. Olsen’s portrayal of Wanda grappling with love, loss, and sacrifice is one of the standout emotional moments in the film, particularly during the climax when she must make an agonizing choice. This performance showcases Olsen’s ability to ground a superhero role in genuine human emotion, making it a memorable moment in the MCU.
7. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Role: Wanda Maximoff | Film
Though her role in Avengers: Endgame is relatively smaller compared to other MCU characters, Olsen’s portrayal of Wanda remains significant in the context of her character’s arc. Ranked ninth by Collider, the film provides Olsen with key emotional moments as she contemplates the consequences of the battle against Thanos. While not as central as in Infinity War or Multiverse of Madness, her performance still serves as a critical building block in Wanda’s journey within the MCU, contributing to her emotional development as a character.
Honorable Mentions:
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Kodachrome (2018): Olsen’s role as Zooey Kern in this drama received limited critical mention, and while it didn’t rank highly compared to other performances, it’s worth noting as part of her varied career choices.
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The Assessment (2024): A recent release, this film has limited critical data available, but it could potentially become another noteworthy entry in Olsen’s expanding filmography.
Conclusion
Elizabeth Olsen’s performances over the last seven years have showcased her impressive range and ability to tackle both blockbuster roles and intimate character studies. From her heart-wrenching portrayal in Sorry for Your Loss to her boundary-pushing work in Love & Death, Olsen continues to evolve as one of the most respected actresses of her generation. As she takes on increasingly diverse roles, it’s clear that her best performances are still to come.