Olivia Wilde is one of the most diverse talents currently working in Hollywood. After making her big-screen debut in the 2004 rom-com The Girl Next Door, Wilde has not only accrued nearly 60 big and small screen acting credits, she's also become a producer, writer, and well-respected director between then and now.
Wilde most recently appeared in the Audible original series Escape From Virtual Island, which debuted on April 2nd. Behind the camera, Wilde is poised to direct a thriller entitled Don't Worry, Darling, which is currently in pre-production. Until more details on the project are divulged, here are Olivia Wilde's 10 best movies, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
Alpha Dog (2006) 54%
In the third feature film of her career, Wilde portrayed Angela Holden in the true-crime film Alpha Dog. Her character is based on Michelle Lasher, the real-life girlfriend of infamous criminal Jesse James Hollywood.
In the film, Hollywood is depicted by Emile Hirsch as Johnny Truelove, a small-time thug who organizes the kidnap of a 15-year-old boy named Zack (Anton Yelchin). Upon kidnapping Zack and forging a familial relationship with him, Frankie (Justin Timberlake) is caught between both sides of the law as Zack's brother Jake (Ben Foster) vows revenge.
Fix (2008) 56%
Inspired by a true story, Fix takes place over the course of a single day in the greater Los Angeles area. Documentarian filmmakers Bella (Wilde) and Milo (Tao Ruspoli, who also directs) race against the clock to transport the latter's brother Leo (Shawn Andrews) from prison to rehab by 8 PM. If they fail to do so, Leo faces a three-year prison sentence.
The film traces the trio as they travel across the diverse neighborhoods in Los Angeles seeking to raise $5,000 for Leo's rehab fee.
The Girl Next Door (2004) 56%
Wilde made her feature-film debut in The Girl Next Door, a teen rom-com in which a nerdy boy named Matthew (Emile Hirsch) flips out when he discovers his new next-door neighbor is a former porn star.
Matthew is a straight-A student who laments the lack of excitement in his life. When the gorgeous Danielle (Elisha Cuthbert) moves in next door, Matthew thinks it's the perfect opportunity to increase his romantic experience. But when Danielle's former adult-film producer Kelly (Timothy Olyphant) arrives with intentions of taking her back, Matthew is left with a major dilemma.
Conversations With Other Woman (2006) 74%
Although limited to a background Bridesmaid, Wilde's second feature-film, Conversations With Other Women, ranks among the actress' top 10 movies, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
The film concerns Man (Aaron Eckhart) and Woman (Helena Bonham Carter), two ostensible strangers who meet and flirt during a wedding ceremony. When the flirtation escalates to hotel-room sex, it becomes clear that the two share an intimate past.
Richard Jewell (2019) 76%
Wilde's most recent big-screen appearance came in Richard Jewell, Clint Eastwood's highly-acclaimed account of the 1996 Olympic bombings.
Based on the book by Kent Alexander and Kevin Salwen, the film recounts the heroic efforts of Richard Jewell, the publicly vilified security guard who discovered an explosive device at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta during the 1996 Olympic Games. Wilde plays Atlantic-Journal Constitution journalist Kathy Scruggs, whose national story prompts an FBI investigation of Jewell.
Drinking Buddies (2013) 83%
In Joe Swanberg's Drinking Buddies, Wilde plays high-functioning alcoholic Kate, a Chicago brewer whose boozy behavior threatens to undermine her most meaningful relationships.
Kate and Luke (Jake Johnson) are flirtatious coworkers at a trendy Chicago brewery. When they aren't working, they're enjoying cocktails with each other. But when their platonic friendship turns into a drunken affair, Luke's potential marriage to his longtime girlfriend is jeopardized. Meanwhile, Kate keeps her boyfriend Chris (Ron Livingston) at arm's length.
Rush (2013) 88%
In addition to its sterling Rotten Tomato rating, Ron Howard's Rush also currently ranks #215 on IMDB's top 250. Wilde plays Suzy Miller in the film, a British supermodel who marries Formula One racer James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth).
The central drive of Rush concerns the heated rivalry between Hunt and Austrian racer Niki Lauda (Daniel Bruhl), the two top contenders for the world championship in 1976. The personal and professional lives of both men are chronicled in great detail, including Suzy's real-life affair with famous actor Richard Burton.
A Vigilante (2019) 92%
Wilde serves a dish of ice-cold revenge in A Vigilante, Sarah Daggar-Nickson's well-received feature film debut about a woman pushed to the absolute breaking point of spousal abuse.
Upon fleeing her violently abusive husband (Morgan Spector), Sadie (Wilde) undergoes intense physical training, boxing and MMA lessons, and grueling survival methods. Her plan is to prepare herself physically for a brutal act of vengeance against her husband. Along the way, Sadie dedicates her life to helping fellow victims of abuse by whatever means necessary.
Her (2013) 95%
Internet dating is taken to the next evolutionary step in Spike Jonze's Her, a futuristic rom-com in which lonely citizens have the option to romantically interact with their computer operating system.
Such an idea appeals to Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix), a lonely greeting card scribe who meets and falls for his O.S. named Samantha (Scarlett Johansson). When Theodore is forced to take a break and reexamine his feelings, he goes on a blind date with a young woman (Olivia Wilde) who, despite being human, can't connect in the way Samantha does.
Meadowland (2015) 96%
According to Rotten Tomatoes, Meadowland is the highest-rated movie of Olivia Wilde's career to date. Directed by Reed Morano, the film charts the various ways a married couple copes with the mysterious, one-year-long disappearance of their young son.
The couple includes Phil (Luke Wilson) and Sarah (Wilde), who can't help but grow apart after their son's cryptic disappearance. As a metropolitan cop, Phil intends to handle the investigation in a traditional manner. Meanwhile, Sarah seeks alternate ways to cope with her grief, leading to a series of perilous scenarios. The film was nominated for numerous festival awards, including Best Narrative Feature Jury Award at the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival.