Why Elizabeth Olsen Calls ‘Ils’ The Most Terrifying Movie She’s Ever Seen

Elizabeth Olsen, a versatile actress known for her acclaimed roles in both blockbuster franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe and thought-provoking indie films, has long been an advocate for the horror genre. While she’s certainly no stranger to acting in horror films—such as Silent House (2011) and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)—it’s her personal preferences and early experiences with scary movies that paint a clearer picture of her genuine love for the genre. Specifically, one film stands out as her most beloved horror movie: Them (Ils) (2006), a French psychological thriller that left a lasting impact on her.

Them (2006): A Haunting, Skin-Crawling Experience

Them (French: Ils) is a French-Romanian horror film directed by David Moreau and Xavier Palud. The movie centers around a couple, Clémentine and Lucas, who are staying in a remote house in Romania when they are terrorized by a group of mysterious intruders. The film is known for its minimalist approach, building tension through shadow and sound rather than traditional jump scares or gore. This creates a sense of claustrophobia and unease, making it a prime example of a “skin-crawling” horror film, which perfectly matches the description that Olsen gave in interviews.

In a 2012 interview with ELLE, Olsen spoke candidly about her “scary movie diet,” which included Them as one of the films that left a significant impact on her. She recalled, “My brother actually made me watch this one because he knew I was filming Silent House. It’s a great French horror movie—also about people trapped in a house—called Ils (‘Them’). I watched it while house-sitting alone in my godmother’s house. It was terrifying.” Her enthusiastic response to the film, which she described as “great” and “terrifying,” suggests a deep appreciation for the horror movie, making it clear that Them resonated with her on a personal level.

Why Them Stands Out as a “Skin-Crawling” Favorite

Olsen’s description of Them aligns with the “skin-crawling” nature of many classic horror films. The film’s deliberate pacing and atmosphere-driven horror invite viewers to feel the dread and tension that builds slowly throughout its runtime. The movie’s minimalist style—coupled with the constant sense of being watched and the unnerving silence—creates a fear that lingers long after the credits roll. These elements made Them a standout choice for Olsen, especially given its immersive atmosphere, which mirrors some of the unsettling experiences depicted in her own film, Silent House.

The Impact of the Film on Olsen’s Career and Choice of Role

Olsen’s praise for Them also sheds light on her approach to horror roles, particularly in Silent House, where she played a young woman trapped in a house with a disturbing secret. Them’s influence on her while preparing for Silent House makes sense, as both films share themes of isolation, fear of the unknown, and the terror that arises when people are trapped in confined spaces.

Additionally, Them’s intense focus on psychological horror and suspense over typical horror tropes (like gore or violence) likely appealed to Olsen’s sensibilities as an actress. Her role in Silent House demanded a similar sense of quiet intensity and a reliance on subtlety, which Them also embodies in its portrayal of escalating terror.

Other Scary Movies: Childhood Memories and Early Influences

In the same ELLE interview, Olsen mentioned some of the horror films she watched as a child, such as Arachnophobia, Jaws, and Tremors, which scared her early on. However, she did not express the same fondness for these films as she did for Them. These childhood scares were formative but do not hold the same weight in terms of her adult preferences for horror.

The distinction is important: while Olsen may have had a casual appreciation for these films as a child, Them stood out as a defining movie for her as an adult, one that left a lasting impression due to its psychological complexity and chilling atmosphere.

Conclusion: Them—Olsen’s Most Beloved Horror Movie

Based on available evidence, Them (2006) is undoubtedly the “skin-crawling” horror movie that Elizabeth Olsen loved. Her personal testimony, combined with her appreciation for its haunting atmosphere and the way it influenced her own horror work, solidifies it as her favorite. The film’s minimalist style and its ability to evoke an unsettling sense of dread without relying on gore or violence aligns perfectly with Olsen’s nuanced approach to horror, both as a viewer and as an actress.

Though Olsen’s career has included various projects that explore different genres, Them remains a standout in her horror film repertoire. Its impact on her as an individual and as an actress highlights why it remains her most beloved scary movie, proving that even within the realm of horror, sometimes the most terrifying moments are those that build slowly, creeping under the skin of both the characters and the audience.