Elizabeth Olsen Draws Inspiration From Sci-Fi Novel For Role In ‘The Assessment’

March 23, 2025: Actress Elizabeth Olsen found a unique source of inspiration for her role in the new sci-fi thriller The Assessment, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024. The film follows a couple, Mia (Olsen) and Aaryan (Himesh Patel), who undergo a week-long visit from an “assessor” named Virginia (Alicia Vikander). The assessor subjects them to a series of tests to determine whether they are fit to be parents in a dystopian near future.

In preparing for the role, Olsen delved into Michel Houellebecq’s 2005 novel The Possibility of an Island. Set in a post-apocalyptic future where humanity has been destroyed, the book involves a cult that clones its members, which parallels the real-world Raelian movement. This group believes that aliens are responsible for modern technology and hope for immortality through cloning.

Olsen shared how this book influenced her portrayal in The Assessment, explaining how Houellebecq’s philosophical exploration opened up new avenues for her character. “I think his philosophy and the places he goes to in his own little, I don’t know, sci-fi book… it opened up a whole little avenue for me to kind of explore,” she said.

While Olsen is known for her film roles, she is also passionate about writing. In 2022, she and her husband, Robbie Arnett, co-authored their debut children’s book, Hattie Harmony: Worry Detective. They followed it up with a second installment shortly after. The couple has said that the story was inspired by their own experiences with anxiety and their wish for a guide to help them navigate it.

Olsen’s dual involvement in both acting and writing continues to enrich her creative journey. Her latest film, The Assessment, is now playing in theaters.