It’s official: This is Florence Pugh’s world and we’re just living in it. Just look at her magnificent unbotheredness from a few months ago, back when she was nonchalantly sipping cocktails in couture frocks while the world was caught up in the Spitgate-It’s-a-Movie-Movie media circus surrounding Don’t Worry Darling. If only we could all be as cool.
Most of her fans (fandom name TBA, but some worthy contenders are Pughilists, Pugh Pew, The Florence Machine) discovered Pugh in 2019, when she made that face iconic in Midsommar. But she’s actually been in the industry since 2014, and there are a lot of gems in her filmography that you might not know about.
To get you started on deep dive into Florence Pugh’s body of work, here are some of her best films that you should definitely check out:
The Wonder (2022)
The Wonder is a period drama about an English nurse sent to investigate what appears to be a miracle in a remote village in Ireland. It’s definitely a slow burn, but it pays off. The story is haunting, the visuals beautiful, and Florence Pugh puts in an incredible performance as the young woman who’s determined to uncover the truth.
Watch it on Netflix.
Midsommar (2019)
This was the role that made international audiences take notice of Florence Pugh. In this horror film by Ari Aster, she stars as a young graduate student who visits Sweden with her friends. The group soon discovers that the seemingly idyllic village hides some dark secrets. It’s an intense, disturbing watch; and it’s one that will stay with you for days afterward, if not longer.
Black Widow (2021)
In her first blockbuster movie, Pugh plays Yelena Belova, Natasha Romanoff’s adopted sister who was also trained in the Red Room as a Black Widow. Playing opposite co-stars Scarlett Johansson and Rachel Weisz, Pugh steals the show, displaying an impressive range of emotion and intensity throughout the film.
Watch it on Disney+.
Little Women (2019)
Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of Little Women stars Pugh alongside Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, and Meryl Streep. As Amy March (the youngest of four sisters), Pugh’s captivating performance as Amy March received immense praise from viewers and critics alike. She embodies the character of Amy with a certain gusto and determination, portraying her as a young woman who is constantly yearning for more out of life than what society had expected of her. Pugh’s performance is full of nuance, allowing viewers to get a glimpse into Amy’s inner thoughts and motivations throughout the movie.
Watch it on Netflix.
King Lear (2018)
This adaptation of the Shakespeare classic stars Anthony Hopkins as King Lear and Pugh as his youngest daughter, Cordelia. Pugh’s performance was both captivating and devastating, bringing out the complexities within the character from simple gestures such as a raised eyebrow or an almost imperceptible smile. Definitely a must-watch!
Don’t Worry Darling (2022)
Though Don’t Worry Darling got mixed reviews, most critics would agree that Pugh’s performance was truly remarkable. She demonstrated a depth and range of emotion as the character Alice, a 1950s housewife whose life starts to unravel when she discovers a dark secret about her husband and their small community. Her portrayal of Alice really showed how one individual can be so affected by their environment, and it was fascinating to witness the transformation onscreen.
Lady Macbeth
In this dark and brooding drama, Pugh plays Katherine, a a young bride in Victorian-era England who is stuck in an oppressive marriage to a cruel older man. She soon begins to rebel against her husband’s wishes in some very unexpected ways. It’s a powerful performance that solidified her as one of the most captivating and electrifying performers of her generation.
Fighting with my Family (2019)
Based on a true story, this biographical film follows the story of WWE superstar Saraya “Paige” Knight, played by Pugh. It’s a touching and comedic look at what it takes to make it in the world of professional wrestling, and Florence gives an unforgettable performance. Pugh brings Saraya to life in a way that is captivating and inspiring, showing just how powerful an individual can be when they stay true to themselves. It’s no wonder she won the BAFTA Rising Star Award for her performance in the film.
How many of these Florence Pugh films have you watched?
