Florence Pugh Reflects on the Emotional Toll of “Midsommar” and the Importance of Setting Boundaries
Florence Pugh recently shared her experience working on the 2019 horror film Midsommar, revealing how the intense emotional journey of playing Dani, a character caught in the grip of a Swedish cult after a personal tragedy, affected her mental well-being. The film required Pugh to delve into dark, difficult emotions, leading her to learn the importance of setting boundaries while working.
In a recent appearance on the Reign with Josh Smith podcast, Pugh, now 29, admitted that she is still learning how to protect her mental health. When asked how she manages her well-being while working, she acknowledged that she doesn’t have all the answers yet, explaining, “I’m still figuring it out.”
Pugh went on to describe her immersive approach to acting, saying, “There’s always a piece of me” in the characters she plays. She explained that, even in portraying characters who may do “god-awful things,” she feels compelled to protect and defend them. However, over the years, Pugh has learned the hard way how to set emotional boundaries. She confessed that there were roles, like Midsommar, where she gave so much emotionally that it took a toll on her long after filming ended. “I definitely felt like I abused myself in the places that I got myself to go,” she reflected.
Despite the emotional challenges, Pugh expressed no regrets about her performance in Midsommar, acknowledging that it pushed her to new depths. She emphasized the importance of respecting oneself while navigating such intense roles. “You need to go, ‘Alright, well, I can’t do that again ’cause that was too much,’” she said, adding that she is proud of the final result.
Pugh had previously discussed the draining nature of her Midsommar role in a March 2023 interview, noting that she had never portrayed a character in so much pain before. As she continues to evolve in her career, Pugh is learning the balance between deeply committing to a role and protecting her personal well-being.
