Florence Pugh says her ‘Midsommar’ role left her ‘broken for a long while’
3 min read
Florence Pugh has opened up about the emotional toll of her role in the 2019 horror film Midsommar, revealing that the experience left her “broken for a long while.” The actress, who portrayed Dani, a grieving graduate student, in the film, discussed the intense psychological impact the role had on her. In the movie, Dani travels with her boyfriend to a rural Swedish village to attend a festival that occurs once every 90 years during the summer solstice. What begins as an innocent cultural visit soon turns into a nightmarish journey as pagan rituals and disturbing events unfold.
Pugh’s portrayal of Dani required her to tap into deep emotions as she navigated her character’s profound grief. The emotional intensity of the role pushed Pugh to places she described as “too much,” and she admitted that the experience left her feeling “abused” by the extent to which she pushed herself. The role, which demanded a high level of vulnerability, made her feel emotionally “broken for a long while” after filming wrapped. Pugh discussed her experience on the Reign with Josh Smith podcast, explaining that some roles she takes on demand a lot of herself and can have long-lasting emotional effects.
Reflecting on her experience with Midsommar, Pugh said, “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.’” She explained that, after taking on such a challenging role, she had to learn how to protect herself from the emotional aftermath. The actress now understands the importance of setting boundaries and ensuring that she doesn’t push herself beyond her limits in future projects.
Pugh’s role in Midsommar was especially challenging because it involved confronting personal and emotional triggers. In a previous interview with The Sunday Times, Pugh revealed that to prepare for the emotional scenes, she had to imagine the loss of family members and the pain of attending their funerals. The process of getting into the mindset of grief and loss was so intense that it caused Pugh to hyperventilate during filming. She later admitted that it took time for her to figure out how to cope with the emotional toll of such roles without “utterly destroy[ing]” herself.
Despite the grueling process of preparing for and filming Midsommar, Pugh expressed her pride in her performance. The movie, which was directed by Ari Aster, garnered critical acclaim and became a box office success. Pugh praised Aster for his unique approach to filmmaking, calling him “peculiar in the mad genius kind of way.” While the process was challenging, Pugh does not regret taking on the role. She stated, “I’m really proud of what I did and I’m proud of what came out of me.”
Her experience on Midsommar highlights the emotional complexity of the acting profession, particularly when it comes to roles that require deep emotional vulnerability. While the aftermath of such intense roles can be difficult to navigate, Pugh’s reflection on the experience shows her resilience and growth as an actress. Over the years, she has learned to manage the emotional demands of her work and set boundaries to protect her mental well-being.
In addition to her work on Midsommar, Pugh’s recent projects continue to showcase her versatility as an actress. She stars alongside Andrew Garfield in the romantic drama We Live in Time, which was released in 2025. Though Midsommar was a particularly difficult role for Pugh, it has become one of the defining performances of her career, demonstrating her ability to dive into complex emotional terrain and deliver a standout performance.
As she continues to grow in her career, Pugh’s reflections on her past work show that she is not only focused on honing her craft but also on ensuring that her well-being is prioritized in the process. She has learned the importance of self-care and emotional boundaries, ensuring that she doesn’t overextend herself in future roles. Through it all, Pugh remains proud of her work and committed to finding a balance between pushing herself as an artist and protecting her mental health.
About The Author
