Florence Pugh’s gripping performance in Midsommar earned her widespread acclaim, but the emotional toll of the role was significant. In a candid interview on the Reign with Josh Smith podcast, the actress admitted that she “most definitely abused” herself to reach the intense emotional depth required for her character, Dani, in the 2019 horror film.
When asked about how she cares for her mental well-being, Florence shared that self-protection has become a priority for her over the years. She reflected on how some roles have left her feeling broken, citing Midsommar as a particular example. “There have been some roles where I’ve given too much, and I’ve been broken for a long while afterward. Like when I did Midsommar, I definitely felt like I abused myself in the places that I got myself to go,” she said.
Though Florence expressed pride in her performance and doesn’t regret taking on the role, she acknowledged that it pushed her beyond limits she would not want to revisit. “I mean, the nature of figuring these things out is you need to go, ‘Alright, well, I can’t do that again ’cause that was too much.’ But then I look at that performance, and I’m really proud of what I did, and I’m proud of what came out of me,” she explained. “But, yeah, there are definitely things that you have to respect about yourself.”
Directed by Ari Aster, Midsommar is a chilling folk horror film in which Florence plays Dani, a woman caught in a violent Swedish cult alongside her boyfriend, played by Jack Reynor. The film delves into deep psychological and emotional trauma, which required Florence to explore very dark places within herself.
While Midsommar remains a defining role for Florence, she has since moved on to other projects. Her most recent film, We Live in Time, a romantic comedy-drama alongside Andrew Garfield, grossed approximately £24 million globally. Next, Florence will join the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Thunderbolts, where she will star alongside Sebastian Stan, David Harbour, and other stars, continuing to build her impressive filmography.