Florence Pugh Opens Up About Mental Health and Hollywood Career Challenges

Introduction: A Rising Star’s Honest Revelations

Florence Pugh, the 29-year-old Oscar-nominated British actress, has become one of Hollywood’s most compelling voices, not just for her exceptional performances but for her candid discussions about the realities of working in film. In a recent interview on “The Louis Theroux Podcast,” the Oscar nominee reveals the emotional exhaustion of filming “Midsommar” led to six months of depression. Her willingness to discuss the psychological toll of her craft and her experiences with industry standards has sparked important conversations about actor welfare and professional boundaries in contemporary cinema.

The Midsommar Impact: Mental Health in Method Acting

Pugh’s revelations about her 2019 horror film “Midsommar” have shed light on the dangers of extreme emotional immersion. “I think [‘Midsommar’] made me sad for like six months after and I didn’t know why I was depressed,” she explained. “I had never seen that level of grief or mental health in the way that was being asked of me on the page,” Pugh said on the podcast. “So for that, I really put myself through it. At the beginning, I just imagined hearing the news that one of my siblings had died, and then towards the middle of the shoot it was like, ‘Oh no, I actually needed to imagine the coffins.'” The actress has since vowed not to repeat such mentally taxing approaches to character development, prioritizing her wellbeing over performance.

Speaking Out on Intimacy Coordinators

Beyond mental health, Pugh has also addressed the evolving role of intimacy coordinators in Hollywood. “My view is changing about it as well, because I’m now having fantastic experiences with intimacy coordinators,” Pugh said about filming sex scenes. “However, that being said, I’ve also had a shit example where someone just made it so weird and so awkward.” Her nuanced perspective acknowledges both the importance of these professionals and the fact that the profession is still developing. While she’s always been “quite confident” and “quite happy in my skin,” the Oscar nominee remembered times when someone on set used “completely inappropriate” to direct a sex scene and there wasn’t an intimacy coordinator present to protect her.

Looking Ahead: Exciting Projects on the Horizon

Florence Pugh has been named Best Actress at the 2025 Astra Midseason Movie Awards for her role in Thunderbolts*. Her career continues to flourish with major upcoming projects. Pugh will reprise her role as Yelena Belova in ‘Avengers: Doomsday,’ directed by Anthony Russo and Joe Russo. Additionally, Florence Pugh is expected to return as Princess Irulan for Denis Villeneuve’s ‘Dune: Messiah.’ Florence Pugh is attached to star alongside Christopher Abbott in Netflix’s ‘East of Eden,’ a limited series based on the 1952 eponymous book by John Steinbeck. The series follows the multi-generational Trask family saga explored from the perspective of the standout female character Cathy Ames, played by Pugh.

Conclusion: A Voice for Change in Hollywood

Florence Pugh’s openness about her experiences represents a significant shift in how actors discuss the challenges of their profession. By speaking candidly about mental health struggles, inappropriate workplace behaviour, and the need for proper support systems on set, she’s helping to reshape industry standards. For audiences and aspiring actors alike, her honesty serves as both a warning about the potential costs of the craft and a beacon of hope that Hollywood can evolve to better protect its talent. As she continues to deliver acclaimed performances while advocating for better working conditions, Pugh solidifies her position not just as a remarkable actress, but as an important voice for change in the film industry.