Elizabeth Olsen on Why Her Friendship with Natasha Lyonne and Carrie Coon Is ‘Something Rare’ in Hollywood

Elizabeth Olsen, Natasha Lyonne, and Carrie Coon delivered acclaimed performances as sisters in His Three Daughters—a film that brought the trio together not just as co-stars, but as friends. Since the movie’s release in 2023, Olsen has frequently reflected on their dynamic, offering insights into how their personal connection enriched their professional collaboration.

Fostering a Sisterly Bond

Playing sisters navigating tragedy required a believable closeness, and Olsen credits an intentional effort to connect off-camera. In a January 2025 Netflix Tudum feature, she explained, “We were all aggressively involved in each other’s personal lives. All three of us were willing to have that relationship on set. And that’s a choice; that doesn’t always happen with different personality types.” This dedication to bonding during their pre-filming rehearsals helped lay the foundation for the chemistry that made their on-screen relationship so compelling.

Shared Experiences and Growing Friendship

Olsen has also recounted how their shared interests and backgrounds brought them closer. Speaking to The Independent in September 2024, she mentioned their mutual love of word games like The New York Times’ Spelling Bee and recalled how the trio’s time together felt unique in an industry that often limits substantial roles for women of the same age group. “Usually films will say, we just need one, thanks. Or one old and one young,” Olsen observed, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside Lyonne and Coon as peers.

This camaraderie extended to more lighthearted moments as well. In a Glamour video from 2024, Olsen admitted that she initially found her co-stars intimidating. However, the experience quickly changed her perspective: “I had never met them before we did this movie,” she said, adding that their intelligence and shared experiences made her eager to learn from them.

A Special Connection Recognized at the Spirit Awards

Their relationship was on full display at the 2025 Film Independent Spirit Awards, where His Three Daughters won the Robert Altman Award. Olsen, joined by Lyonne and Coon, described their dynamic with humor and warmth, joking that her co-stars’ “brains move way faster” than hers. The shared achievement at the awards ceremony further cemented their bond, showcasing how their mutual respect and genuine friendship carried beyond the film’s production.

Friendship Offscreen, Chemistry Onscreen

Elizabeth Olsen’s reflections on her friendship with Natasha Lyonne and Carrie Coon highlight how meaningful relationships offscreen can enhance performances onscreen. From collaborative rehearsals to celebratory red carpets, their connection speaks to the power of fostering authentic bonds in the creative process. With His Three Daughters serving as both a professional milestone and a personal turning point, Olsen’s words offer a testament to the importance of camaraderie, trust, and shared growth in storytelling.