Olivia Wilde’s 5 Best Performances, Ranked

5 The Lazarus Effect

In The Lazarus Effect, Wilde gives a terrific and chilling dramatic performance. She plays a researcher named Zoe, who discovers a way to bring humans back to life. After she is killed, her husband (Mark Duplass) uses the method on her, only to discover the nightmarish consequences. Wilde completely transforms into an evil character, giving us a great arc. She proved, with this film, that she can easily play a villain.

4 Her

In Spike Jonze’s acclaimed film Her, Wilde plays the blind date of Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix). Although Wilde is only in the film for one scene, she completely steals it. Through her performance, you gain a sheer sense for whom this person is, especially her insecurities. At the same time, Wilde portrays the effect that alcohol can have on a date. Her chemistry with Phoenix was fantastic, and she was a great addition to the film.

3 Rush

In Ron Howard’s Rush, Olivia Wilde plays Suzy Miller, the wife of Formula 1 driver James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth). Wilde is a scene stealer throughout the film and delivers a great dramatic performance. She creates a character filled with ambition, class, and charisma. At the same time, her chemistry with Hemsworth was fantastic.

2 House

Olivia Wilde played Dr. Remy “Thirteen” Hadley for several seasons of the acclaimed series House before she exited in season 8 to pursue her film career. Her character had many layers, including living with the fact that she had Huntington’s Chorea. Wilde created a character with sheer ambition and bravery. Taking on the persona of a doctor is no easy task, but Wilde did it with ease. She proved, with this character, that she had a long career ahead of her.

1 Richard Jewell

In Clint Eastwood’s Richard Jewell, Wilde plays journalist Kathy Scruggs, who, per Atlanta Magazine, was responsible for the FBI investigation into Jewell’s (Paul Walter Hauser) involvement with the Centennial Olympic Park bombing. Wilde is a scene-stealer throughout the film and completely transforms into her character. She portrays Scruggs as a careerist who is willing to do anything for a story, including ruining the lives of others. With that said, her character does acknowledge her faults in the end, giving her some type of redemption.