Elizabeth Olsen’s award-worthy performance in Netflix’sHis Three Daughtersproves the harsh reality that she does not need the Marvel Cinematic Universe anymore. In the Netflix drama,Olsen plays Christina, who reunites with her estranged sisters, Katie (Carrie Coon) and Rachel (Natasha Lyonne) to help their sick father (Jay O. Sanders) during his final days. Following its debut at the 2023 Toronto Film Festival and after coming to Netflix,His Three Daughters' reviewsconsistently praised the three lead performances, which paved the way for a 98% critical score and 88% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Olsen’s impressive performance comes at a time when her MCU character, Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch, is being frequently discussed. Her MCU return has been the source of speculation since the character’sending inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, although the discourse is now further amplified as theWandaVisionspinoff seriesAgatha All Alongreleases new episodes on Disney+. While she may eventually return to the MCU,His Three Daughtersdemonstrates that Olsen’s career is thrivingwithout needing to continue playing an active role in the superhero universe.
His Three Daughters Proves Elizabeth Olsen Doesn’t Need The MCU
Her Performance In The Netflix Drama Is Worthy Of An Academy Award
Olsen, Coon, and Lyonne all deliver some of their career-best performances through the vulnerability and emotional depth they portray inHis Three Daughters. Even though this is Olsen’s first non-MCU movie since starring in 2018’sKondachromealongside Ed Harris and Jason Sudeikis, it is arguably her best performance to date.His Three Daughters' 98% critical score is the highest-rated movie in Olsen’s career, with the next best beingThe Assessment, a science-fiction thriller that debuted with a 95% score and stellar reviews after premiering at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.
The Assessment’s cast also includes Alicia Vikander and Himesh Patel.
His Three DaughtersandThe Assessmentprove how she can excel outside of playing Wanda in the MCU. This is particularly apparent inHis Three Daughters, as the dialogue-driven story is mostly confined to an apartment, and the movie is only able to work because Olsen, Coon, and Lyonne make it riveting to watch with their nuanced and emotional performances. As Olsen demonstrated inHis Three Daughters, she does not need big-budget action sequences and special effects and can carry a project with her acting talents.
Elizabeth Olsen’s Upcoming Movies Will Give Her More Non-MCU Success
The AssessmentIs Following InHis Three Daughters' Footsteps
Olsen deserves an Academy Award nomination for herHis Three Daughtersperformance, as do Coon and Lyonne. Regardless of what happens with the awards, though, her non-MCU success is poised to continue far beyondHis Three Daughters.The Assessmentis receiving a similarly positive buzz and is one of 2025’s most-anticipated movies, illustrating that she is just as skillful in a sci-fi thriller as she is in a drama about a family’s grief and collective trauma. Her next movie afterThe AssessmentisEternity, a romantic comedy produced by A24 that is currently in post-production.
While it is too early to know ifEternitywill be another hit for Olsen,most of A24’s movies in recent years have been phenomenal, ranging from the multiversal and critically acclaimedEverything Everywhere All at Onceto the deeply poignantPast Lives. Produced by A24 and with a cast featuring Olsen, Miles Teller, and Academy Award winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph,Eternityis poised to be another success for Olsen. InWandaVision’s earlier sitcom-focused episodes, she showcased her comedic talents, which can translate well toEternityand continue her non-MCU triumphs.
The MCU Needs Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch, Even If Olsen Doesn’t Need The MCU
Current And Upcoming Projects Feel Incomplete Without Her
The MCU has opened the door for other opportunities, but now it needs her more than she needs it. Other than briefly voicing Wanda Merlin inWhat If…?season 2, it has been two years since Wanda/Scarlet Witch appeared in the MCU, and her absence has been noticeable. Her scene with Vision and Thanos inAvengers: Infinity Warremains one of the MCU’s most powerful moments,WandaVisionremains one of the MCU’s all-time best stories, and Scarlet Witch’s potential feels like it was needlessly undermined and cut short inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
It is difficult to imagine the stories of White Vision or Ultron being done well without Wanda being there.
Her absence is most noticeable inAgatha All Along, given that it is aWandaVisionspinoff, she has an important history with Agatha Harkness, and it is a show about witches. Another spinoff,Marvel’sVision Quest, is currently in development and will follow up on what happened to White Vision after the events ofWandaVision.Vision Questwill also see James Spader returning as Ultron, who was the first villain Wanda defeated when joining the Avengers inAvengers: Age of Ultron. It is difficult to imagine the stories of White Vision or Ultron being done well without Wanda being there.
Ultron’s MCU Return Is The Perfect Opportunity To Give Michael Douglas His Marvel Wish
Michael Douglas expressed his wishes for Hank Pym in the MCU in 2023, and Ultron’s return to live-action can make this come true in the weirdest way.
Wanda’s immense power, her connections to many prominent characters, and Olsen’s always terrific performances would also make her a natural fit for the upcomingAvengers: DoomsdayandAvengers: Secret Wars, especially with the multiverse being integral to both those stories. She would work well as a hero or a villain as long as her role is properly developed. The lineup of heroes and villains will feel incomplete with her, regardless of who the lineup includes.
Scarlet Witch Probably Will Return To The MCU, But Hopefully Not At The Expense Of Olsen’s Other Roles
A Balance Would Be The Best
Despite what happened inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,the Scarlet Witch will likely return, as she is too important and beloved of a character for the MCU to never use again. If anything, she should have been a bigger part of the Multiverse Saga. Even Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the MCU, this time as Doctor Doom, after Tony Stark/Iron Man had an even more definitive ending than Scarlet Witch. Now that Downey is back, Olsen is one of the few actors whose confirmed return could generate a similar level of excitement and anticipation.
Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom is replacing Jonathan Majors' Kang the Conqueror as the Multiverse Saga’s overarching villain.
For nearly a decade, most of Olsen’s career was dedicated to the MCU playing Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch, particularly when it came to the big screen. If she does return, hopefully, it will not dominate her career as much and will allow her to balance the MCU alongside the kind of role she had inHis Three Daughtersand her upcoming movies,The AssessmentandEternity. If this balance can happen, then Olsen’s career and those who enjoy watching her work can get the best of both worlds.
His Three Daughters
Cast
His Three Daughters is a 2023 drama film directed by Azazel Jacobs. The story centers on three sisters, portrayed by Carrie Coon, Elizabeth Olsen, and Natasha Lyonne, who reunite in their childhood home to care for their terminally ill father. As they navigate the emotional complexities of their father’s final days, the sisters confront unresolved issues and deep-seated family tensions. The film explores themes of sisterhood, forgiveness, and the intricate dynamics of familial relationships.
