Florence Pugh, known for her intense and captivating performances, has decided to distance herself from roles like the one she played in the horror film ‘Midsommar.’ In a recent podcast appearance, Pugh opened up about the emotional toll such roles have taken on her, giving fans an intriguing glimpse into her decision-making process.
Florence Pugh is no stranger to challenging roles that demand a lot both physically and emotionally. However, her experience portraying Dani in Ari Aster’s ‘Midsommar’ was a turning point. On the podcast ‘Reign with Josh Smith,’ Pugh shared how the role left her feeling ‘broken’ for an extended period. She explained, ‘Like when I did Midsommar, I definitely felt like I abused myself in the places that I got myself to go.’
Pugh’s character, Dani, in ‘Midsommar’ is a woman grappling with immense grief following the tragic death of her family. The film follows her journey to a midsummer festival, which spirals into a series of disturbing rituals. The psychological impact of the role was significant, with Pugh admitting that she had to imagine herself in distressing situations to deliver a convincing performance.
Despite the difficulty, Pugh has no regrets about taking on the role. She expressed pride in her work, noting, ‘I’m really proud of my performance. But yeah, there’s definitely things that you have to respect about yourself.’ Over time, she has learned the importance of protecting her mental and emotional well-being, choosing roles more thoughtfully to avoid similar distressing experiences.
In a candid moment on the ‘Off Menu’ podcast with Ed Gamble and James Acaster, Pugh further elaborated on how demanding the role was. She confessed that each day of shooting made it increasingly difficult as she filled her mind with ‘worse and more bleak’ thoughts. This immersive approach, while effective, left a lasting impact on her psyche.
Florence Pugh’s decision to avoid roles like Dani in ‘Midsommar’ highlights the need for actors to balance professional commitments with personal well-being. Her candid revelations serve as a reminder of the often unseen struggles actors face while bringing intense characters to life. As Pugh charts a course for future roles, her experiences underscore the importance of self-care in the artistic journey.
Source: Yahoo
