Florence Pugh says she ‘abused herself’ while filming chilling horror movie
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Florence Pugh has opened up about the abuse she put herself through while filming Midsommar. The 29-year-old led the cast in Ari Aster’s 2019 horror movie, alongside Will Poulter, Jack Reynor, Isabelle Grill and William Jackson Harper. It followed couple Dani (Florence) and Christian (Jack) visiting their friend in a picturesque village in Sweden during the annual Midsummer festival, where their idyllic getaway soon makes way for something much darker.
![[No Merchandising. Editorial Use Only. No Book Cover Usage. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Everett/Shutterstock (14204726ag) MIDSOMMAR, center: Florence Pugh, 2019. ? A24 / courtesy Everett Collection Everett Collection - 2019]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_218828485-7e68-e1736196408296.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Although she was widely praised for her portrayal in the chilling flick, the We Live In Time actress revealed that she gave ‘too much’ of herself to the film. During an appearance on the Reign with Josh Smith podcast, the host questioned how she had managed to look after herself, and her mental health, while working.
![[Undated handout photo issued by A24 of the May Queen dress and headpiece made of flowers that was worn by Florence Pugh in horror film Midsommar, as a raft of costumes, props and set pieces from films made by production company A24 will go under the hammer to raise money for charities helping people impacted by coronavirus. PA Photo. Issue date: Wednesday April 22, 2020. See PA story SALE Auction. Photo credit should read: A24/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PRI_149866619-eb14.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
‘I’m still figuring it out,’ she replied. ‘I don’t think I’d be able to do this without going there all the way, and putting myself in all of those characters that I’ve played. There’s always a piece of me. ‘There’s always a moment at the end of filming where I protect and defend those characters until the very end, even if they’ve done god-awful things. I think that’s only natural when you’re in someone for so long.
‘Protecting myself is something I’ve had to learn how to do. There have been some roles where I’ve given too much, and I’ve been broken for a long while afterwards. ‘When I did Midsommar, I definitely felt like I abused myself in the places that I got myself to go.
