Why Florence Pugh Says She’ll Never Take on Roles Like Midsommar Again

Florence Pugh, acclaimed for her role as Dani in the 2019 horror film “Midsommar,” recently disclosed the profound emotional toll the performance exacted on her. In a candid conversation on the “Reign with Josh Smith” podcast, Pugh revealed that the intense demands of the role left her feeling “broken” for an extended period.

“Protecting myself is something I’ve had to learn how to do,” Pugh shared. “There’s been some roles where I’ve given too much, and I’ve been broken for a long time afterwards. Like when I did ‘Midsommar,’ I definitely felt like I abused myself in the places that I got myself to go to.”

Directed by Ari Aster, “Midsommar” follows Dani, a woman who, after a family tragedy, travels to a remote Swedish village with friends, only to encounter a pagan cult. Pugh’s portrayal of Dani’s psychological unraveling was widely praised, but the actress now reflects on the personal cost of such immersive performances.

“I was so wrapped up in her, and I’ve never had this ever before with any of my characters,” Pugh noted. “I’d never played someone that was in that much pain before, and I would put myself in really s**tty situations that maybe other actors don’t need to do, but I would just be imagining the worst things.”

Despite the distressing experience, Pugh expressed pride in her work on “Midsommar.” However, she acknowledges the necessity of setting emotional boundaries to safeguard her well-being in future projects. “I think that’s probably why when ‘Midsommar’ was done, I was like, ‘I can’t do that again.’ I can’t be in that much pain every day.”

Pugh’s reflections shed light on the often-overlooked psychological challenges actors face when delving deeply into demanding roles. Her experience underscores the importance of mental health awareness and self-care within the entertainment industry.

Since “Midsommar,” Pugh has continued to build an impressive filmography, including roles in “Little Women,” “Black Widow,” and the upcoming “Dune: Part 2.” Her candidness about the emotional impacts of her craft offers valuable insights into the complexities of method acting and the personal resilience required to navigate such a career.