10 Unexpected Actors Making Directorial Debuts In 2019

Olivia Wilde is essentially the opposite of Christoph Waltz here. She’s had some good roles (Thirteen in House, particularly), but also perhaps has a reputation for being a pretty face first and actress second.

Though it’s not a reputation she’s especially earned, she also doesn’t really have many prestige pictures in her filmography to prove any critics wrong.

Enter Booksmart. This smart coming of age story already has critics raving and could be one of 2019’s darlings.

A rarity here, Wilde plays no part in the movie itself and is therefore fully dedicated to her time behind the camera. Early critical reception indicates this is a choice which has paid off massively, with a huge 86 on Metacritic. Eighth Grade, Bo Burnham’s hugely successful coming of age movie released last year only just pips it with 89.

The story follows two nerdish girls who realise they’ve wasted their school years studying and decide upon a massive party blowout, making up for four years in one night. Wilde has claimed The Breakfast Club, Fast Times At Ridgemont High, Clueless and Dazed & Confused were her inspiration; Booksmart stands a chance of following in their footsteps to become a classic.