Florence Pugh hesitates to revisit a role akin to her haunting portrayal in the 2019 horror film "Midsommar," confessing that it made her feel as though she had "abused" herself, leaving her "shattered for an extended period afterward." In this cinematic venture, the British actress embodies Dani, a sorrow-laden graduate student who accompanies her boyfriend to a remote Swedish village to witness a biennial festival coinciding with the summer solstice. Under the direction of Ari Aster, loosely inspired by the Scandinavian midsummer celebration, the serene community's veil of friendliness soon tears away, revealing pagan rituals and cultish horrors.
"Learning to safeguard myself has been a crucial lesson," Pugh revealed on the "Reign with Josh Smith" podcast. The actress, who currently stars alongside Andrew Garfield in the newly released romantic drama "We Live in Time," shared on the podcast that certain roles demanded an excess of herself, leaving her feeling "destroyed for a considerable time afterward."
"For instance, when I filmed 'Midsommar,' I undeniably felt like I pushed myself to limits that were abusive," she admitted. "Realizing this, I concluded, 'Alright, I cannot subject myself to that again; it was too much.'"
In an interview with The Sunday Times last month, Pugh elaborated on the harrowing mental preparation required for her role, involving visualizing family members in coffins and attending an open-casket funeral for her siblings. "I was hyperventilating," she confessed to the British newspaper. "Over the years, I've struggled to find a way to avoid completely demolishing myself."
Despite the arduous journey, Pugh has previously commended her director, telling The New York Times in 2023 that Aster possessed a "peculiar, mad genius." Despite the filming challenges, Pugh expressed pride in her performance, which garnered critical acclaim and box office success. "I'm incredibly proud of what I accomplished and what emerged from within me; therefore, I have no regrets," she stated.
