Though her profile has increased tremendously, Olsen hasn't struck gold the way she did in Durkin's indie masterpiece. No post-Martha project has allowed Olsen the opportunity to give the same type of tremendous performance. There was "Silent House" back in 2012, in which Olsen came close, but ultimately was hampered by the film's weak third act. She's either the best thing about a very bad film, or stuck in the background given close to nothing in terms of material to work with.
Anyone who watched Martha knows that Olsen's expressive face was the secret weapon behind Durkin's slow-burning thriller. The film itself is as mysterious and closed off as its subject material, but gives the audience hints and insight through Olsen herself; she is the key that unlocks the door to the film that holds us at an arm's length. This is an actress that deserves to be the foreground of her director's vision, not lumped in the background, almost unrecognizably cast as a doting girlfriend. Durkin is still the only director to have realized this.
I decided to re-watch the film recently, in an attempt to focus on the [disappointing] current state of Olsen's career. I'm pleased to report that it remains as haunting and mesmerizing as I found it 3 years ago.
