Olivia Wilde is a cool cat. The actress has always maintained a calm demeanor, and her caustic humor can be found in practically every interview she gives. That’s what made her my favorite character on House. In addition, in her directorial debut Booksmart, she hit the ball out of the park, an accomplishment that many a film student would kill for. Fans may be surprised to learn that Olivia Wilde felt nervous during the filming of her second film, Don’t Worry Darling, with Florence Pugh and Harry Styles.

“If you can make a comedy that works, you tend to stay in that world, because it can be incredibly lucrative… Sophomore slump is a real thing… [I asked Jordan Peele] ‘How terrifying was it to make your second film?’ And he said, ‘Oh, so terrifying, so much scarier than the first.”

Directing Her Second Film

For any artist, the feared sophomore slump may be a big source of anxiety and Olivia Wilde is no exception. The pressure increases for a superstar who is always in the spotlight.. Olivia Wilde’s teen comedy Booksmart was a huge hit, but her popularity ensured that her next project would be scrutinized. Jordan Peele had a similar occurrence when his film Get Out became a smash hit. Fans and critics alike praised his follow-up, Us, but avoiding the sophomore slump is easier said than done.

Olivia Wilde is venturing out of her comfort zone as well. Don’t Worry Darling seems to be a sleek, dark thriller, whereas Booksmart was certainly a passionate comedy. Higher expectations accompany the tonal shift: critics and spectators alike anticipate more from dramas. After all, no one goes to see a new buddy comedy expecting to see a cinematic masterpiece. A film by Chloé Zhao or Denis Villenueve, on the other hand, is a very other story.

Another part of the Don’t Worry Darling craze is Harry Styles’ appearance. Olivia Wilde has been seeing the British pop artist for the majority of 2021, and news that he will star in her upcoming film was swiftly picked up by the media and blogs. When you combine the anticipation for a new Wilde picture with the IRL romantic subplot, you’ve got yourself a perfect storm of public scrutiny.