Elizabeth Olsen has delivered a series of flawless performances as Scarlet Witch in the MCU, but which has been the best of the best?
Elizabeth Olsen’s arc as Wanda Maximoff in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been nothing short of phenomenal. Although she started as a secondary character in Avengers: Age of Ultron, Olsen’s portrayal of the character has evolved over the years to become one of the most complex and captivating performances in the entire MCU.
As the franchise progressed, Olsen’s Scarlet Witch began to show a deeper, more nuanced character arc, allowing the audience to see her vulnerability, strength, and complexity. From her struggles with mental illness and trauma in WandaVision to her journey of self-discovery and character development over the course of the many MCU movies she appeared in that paved the way to the show, Olsen’s range as an actress has been remarkable.
In addition to her impressive acting abilities, Olsen’s chemistry with her fellow cast members has also been a highlight of her run as Scarlet Witch. Her dynamic with Vision was a particular standout, drawing audiences in with their touching and heart-wrenching love story.
Elizabeth Olsen’s run as Scarlet Witch has been a masterclass in character development and acting, elevating the character from a secondary role to one of the most interesting and layered characters in the MCU. Her talent and dedication have solidified her as an integral part of the Marvel Universe, and fans cannot wait to see where her journey takes her next. Until then, we’re revisiting Olsen’s greatest moments in the MCU with a look at her best performances as Wanda Maximoff!
6. Avengers: Endgame
Elizabeth Olsen’s performance as Wanda Maximoff in Avengers: Endgame was a standout portrayal of a character who had undergone significant growth and transformation throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Olsen’s emotional performance showcased Wanda’s inner turmoil and grief over the loss of her lover Vision.
Throughout the film, Olsen showcases her range as an actress, delivering a performance that is both emotional and intense. One of her best moments in the film is during the final battle with Thanos, where Wanda confronts the Mad Titan and delivers one of the most memorable lines in the movie, “You took everything from me”. Olsen’s delivery of this line is powerful and heart-wrenching, conveying the depth of pain and loss that Wanda has experienced.
Despite the strength of Olsen’s performance, it is a shame that we didn’t get to see more of her in the movie. While she played an important role in the climactic battle, her screen time was limited due to Wanda being among those who was snapped away in Avengers: Infinity Wars.
Still, Elizabeth Olsen’s performance in Avengers: Endgame was a testament to her talent and range as an actress. While it’s a shame that we didn’t get to see more of her in the movie, her portrayal of Wanda Maximoff was one of the many highlights of the crowded film.
5. Avengers: Age of Ultron
Wanda’s introduction was a pivotal moment in the story of Avengers: Age of Ultron. Olsen’s portrayal of the character as a complex and powerful individual with a traumatic past was captivating and convincing, laying the standard that she would continue to uphold across her time in the MCU.
Throughout the film, Olsen masterfully conveyed Wanda’s internal struggle between her desire for revenge and her loyalty to her new teammates. Her growth as a character was also apparent as she learned to trust and work alongside her fellow Avengers, ultimately becoming a crucial member of the team after starting out as their adversary.
One of the most striking moments in Olsen’s performance was her portrayal of Wanda’s emotional turmoil in the wake of her brother’s death. The raw emotion that Olsen brought to the scene was powerful and heart-wrenching.
Furthermore, Olsen’s ability to convey Wanda’s immense power was impressive. The way she moved and used her abilities felt fluid and natural, and the intensity of her power was incredible.
Avengers: Age of Ultron was a triumph. Her portrayal of the character’s growth and development was unlike anything we had seen before, and her ability to convey both strength and vulnerability made Wanda one of the most beloved characters in the MCU from the moment she first appeared on screen.
4. Avengers: Infinity War
Elizabeth Olsen’s performance in Avengers: Infinity War was nothing short of phenomenal. Olsen brought a depth and emotional intensity to her character that was both compelling and heartbreaking.
One of the most gut-wrenching scenes in the movie involved Wanda’s decision to kill her lover, Vision, in order to prevent Thanos from obtaining the Mind Stone that was embedded in his forehead. In this scene, Olsen’s performance was raw and visceral as she conveyed the internal struggle and anguish of having to make such a devastating choice.
As if that weren’t enough, Wanda is then forced to witness Thanos reverse time and kill Vision anyway, adding an additional layer of heartbreak and trauma to her character’s arc. Olsen’s performance in this scene was masterful, as she conveyed Wanda’s pain and despair with such intensity that it was impossible not to feel her character’s anguish.
Throughout the movie, Olsen consistently brought depth and nuance to Wanda which made her one of the standout characters of the film. Her performance was a testament to her skill as an actress, and it left a lasting impression on audiences long after the credits rolled.
Avengers: Infinity War was yet another demonstration of Olsen’s range as an actress and her ability to bring depth and complexity to even the most challenging of roles.
3. Captain America: Civil War
While Avengers: Age of Ultron might have been the film that introduced Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch, it wasn’t really until Captain America: Civil War that we got to truly explore the complexities of Wanda’s emotions and powers.
Wanda’s development in this film laid the foundation for her relationship with Vision, which would become a major focus in later projects. Olsen portrayed Wanda’s fear, grief, and anger so brilliantly, making her journey all the more moving.
One of the standout scenes for Olsen was when Wanda accidentally caused an explosion that killed innocent people. Olsen conveyed Wanda’s shock and horror in a way that was truly heartbreaking. This moment helped to solidify Wanda’s desire to protect people and her willingness to make difficult sacrifices.
Additionally, Olsen’s chemistry with Paul Bettany, who plays Vision, was stunning from the moment they shared the screen. Olsen and Bettany’s performances together created a sense of tender vulnerability between the characters that would become a cornerstone of their relationship.
Captain America: Civil War provided a strong foundation for Wanda’s emotional journey and relationship with Vision. Olsen’s portrayal of Wanda’s complexity and vulnerability made her a compelling and empathetic character and laid the groundwork for some of the most powerful moments that would come for the character.
2. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
The release of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness brought about mixed reactions from Marvel fans. While the movie had some great moments, it also did a disservice to the Scarlet Witch’s character development which is why some might be surprised to see the film ranked so high on this list. However, one thing that was universally agreed upon was Elizabeth Olsen’s outstanding performance which is the sole reason Multiverse of Madness deserves to be ranked among her character’s best MCU movies.
Throughout the film, Olsen stole every scene she appeared in, delivering a truly masterful performance with the materials given to her. Her portrayal of the Scarlet Witch was both captivating and heartbreaking, as she grappled with the loss of her loved ones and the consequences of her actions.
Despite the lack of focus on her character’s growth, Olsen’s performance managed to keep viewers invested in the story. She brought depth and complexity to the Scarlet Witch’s character, making her relatable and human despite the actions her character took across the film.
Olsen’s acting was so nuanced and powerful that it left audiences in awe. From the chilling battle between Scarlet Witch and the Illuminati to the scene in which Wanda realizes the monster she has become and abandons her plan to rip her children away from the other Wanda, their actual mother, Olsen delivered a layered performance that left audiences captivated.
While Multiverse of Madness failed to do justice to the Scarlet Witch’s character development, Elizabeth Olsen’s performance was a true standout. Her talent and dedication to the role are undeniable, and she has proven herself to be one of the strongest performers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
1. WandaVision
Okay, so I know this is meant to be a ranking of Elizabeth Olsen’s best performances in Marvel movies but there is absolutely no way you can rank her performances and not include WandaVision which was by far her crowning moment in the role of Wanda Maximoff.
Elizabeth Olsen delivered a stunning performance as Wanda Maximoff in WandaVision. Her portrayal of the troubled heroine was both nuanced and captivating, showcasing her range as an actress.
Throughout the series, Olsen gave several standout performances, bringing depth and emotion to Wanda’s character. One of her most poignant moments was in the finale, where she shared a heart-wrenching goodbye with Vision, played by Paul Bettany. Her performance captured the agony of losing someone she loved and the acceptance of letting go.
Another standout moment was in episode 8, where we saw the tragic events that shaped Wanda’s life and led to her becoming the powerful and complex character we know today. Olsen’s performance in this episode was raw and vulnerable, showing us the depth of pain and trauma that Wanda had endured.
And don’t even get me started on the moment in which we see Wanda with the property deed from Vision and how the words “‘To grow old in” still trigger our emotions after Olsen’s heart-wrenching performance.
Olsen also brought a wonderful mix of humor and sadness to her character, particularly in the early episodes of the series, where Wanda and Vision were living out their sitcom fantasies. Her performance in these episodes perfectly captured the charm and wit of classic sitcoms while still maintaining the emotional depth of the story.
Elizabeth Olsen’s performance in WandaVision was truly exceptional. Her ability to convey a wide range of emotions and bring Wanda’s character to life was a major factor in the show’s success. She is a true talent, and her performance will be remembered as one of the greatest performances ever witnessed in the MCU.