The Elizabeth Olsen Film You Probably Missed – And She Thinks It’s Her Most Overlooked!

Elizabeth Olsen, best known for her portrayal of Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), has captivated audiences with her diverse filmography that spans blockbuster hits, critically acclaimed indies, and thought-provoking roles. While her high-profile MCU roles have earned her widespread fame, some of her most remarkable performances have flown under the radar. In a recent interview, Olsen opened up about the movie she feels is the most overlooked in her career—one that, despite its critical acclaim, did not receive the attention it deserved.

A Career Spanning Both Blockbusters and Indies

Olsen’s career took off with Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011), a psychological thriller in which she portrayed a woman escaping from a cult. The film earned rave reviews and earned her a nomination for Best Female Lead at the Independent Spirit Awards. It was a breakout role that established her as an actress with remarkable depth. Despite the praise, the film only grossed around $2.5 million, a limited commercial performance that could have overshadowed its critical success.

As her career progressed, Olsen took on a mix of indie films and massive blockbusters. She joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) and quickly became a fan favorite in films like Captain America: Civil War (2016), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019), and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022). These films garnered billions of dollars at the box office, solidifying her status as one of Hollywood’s leading actresses.

Yet, even as she enjoyed immense success in the MCU, Olsen remained committed to her indie roots, starring in films like Ingrid Goes West (2017) and Wind River (2017). Both films received critical acclaim, but their box office performances didn’t match the attention given to her blockbuster roles.

Ingrid Goes West (2017): A Critically Acclaimed But Overlooked Gem

Out of all of Olsen’s films, Ingrid Goes West (2017) stands out as the one she feels has been most overlooked. The film, which also starred Aubrey Plaza, earned praise for its sharp satirical commentary on social media culture and influencer life. Olsen played Taylor Sloane, an Instagram influencer, and her portrayal was lauded for its complexity and nuance.

Despite an impressive 85% score on Rotten Tomatoes and winning the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at Sundance, the film made just over $3 million at the box office. This discrepancy between critical acclaim and commercial success is what likely makes it the most overlooked film in Olsen’s career. Olsen herself has acknowledged this, even if she hasn’t explicitly named it in every interview. Still, sources like Elizabeth Olsen’s 15 Best Movies, Ranked have pointed to Ingrid Goes West as one of her standout, yet underrated performances.

Wind River (2017): Success But Not the Spotlight

Another contender for an overlooked movie is Wind River (2017), a gripping thriller directed by Taylor Sheridan. The film, which featured Olsen alongside Jeremy Renner, is about a wildlife officer and an FBI agent investigating a murder on a Native American reservation. The film received an 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and grossed $37 million—more than Ingrid Goes West—but it still did not receive the same widespread attention as Olsen’s larger projects. While Wind River had greater commercial success than some of her other indies, it remains somewhat overshadowed by her MCU fame.

Olsen has spoken highly of her role in Wind River, discussing how it allowed her to play a strong, driven character in a unique, emotionally charged environment. Still, its commercial success, while solid, didn’t push it into the mainstream spotlight the way Avengers or Godzilla did.

The Challenge of Balancing Indie and Blockbuster Roles

As Olsen continues to build her career, her ability to juggle both indie projects and Hollywood blockbusters speaks to her versatility as an actress. However, with such a diverse filmography, it’s easy for certain projects to get lost in the shuffle, particularly those released between her larger-scale successes. Ingrid Goes West stands as the prime example of this, balancing critical praise with commercial obscurity—a paradox that often accompanies films that aim to take risks and tackle socially relevant themes.

In a career full of high-profile roles, it’s clear that Olsen is proud of her indie work and the movies that allowed her to stretch her acting muscles. Though Ingrid Goes West may not have received the attention it deserved upon release, it remains a standout film in her career, showcasing her ability to take on complex, unconventional roles.

Conclusion: An Overlooked Masterpiece

While Elizabeth Olsen’s career continues to be defined by blockbuster hits and critically acclaimed roles, Ingrid Goes West remains her most overlooked film. The film’s smart, biting commentary on social media culture and Olsen’s subtle, layered performance are part of what makes it a hidden gem in her diverse career. Despite its limited box office success, Ingrid Goes West exemplifies the kind of unique, challenging roles Olsen continues to take on—roles that prove her range as an actress, even if they don’t always make the commercial splash of her more mainstream projects.

As Olsen continues to build her impressive body of work, Ingrid Goes West will likely remain one of her most cherished, yet underrated, performances—a movie that, much like her own career, deserves a second look.