Florence Pugh’s Emotional Struggle After Midsommar
Florence Pugh, the acclaimed star of Midsommar, has revealed the devastating mental health toll of her role in Ari Aster’s 2019 horror film. In a raw interview, Pugh disclosed that playing grief-stricken protagonist Dani Ardor plunged her into months of depression, leaving her feeling like she’d “abused myself” to achieve the performance.
The Psychological Weight of Midsommar
Ari Aster’s folk horror masterpiece follows Dani, a traumatized woman who joins her boyfriend’s trip to a sinister Swedish commune. Pugh’s haunting portrayal earned critical praise, but the actress now admits the role’s darkness lingered long after filming.
“I’d never gone that deep emotionally,” Pugh shared. “There were days I’d finish filming and completely break down. It took months to recover.”
Depression and the Aftermath
Pugh described the aftermath as a “slow, heavy depression,” exacerbated by Dani’s unrelenting grief—her character loses her family in a murder-suicide before the cult’s horrors unfold.
“I wasn’t method acting, but I lived Dani’s pain daily,” Pugh said. “By the end, I felt hollow. I’d abused myself mentally to get there.”
The infamous scene where Dani’s cries are mirrored by the cult was especially grueling. “That broke me,” Pugh admitted. “I had to relive that pain repeatedly.”
Healing and Industry Change
Pugh sought therapy to process the role’s toll and now advocates for mental health safeguards on sets.
“I love challenging work, but I’ve learned to set boundaries,” she said. “Studios need to prioritize psychological support.”
Her revelations have sparked debates about Hollywood’s duty to protect actors—especially in trauma-heavy genres like horror.
Midsommar’s Legacy and Moving Forward
Despite the cost, Pugh cherishes the film’s artistic impact. “I’m proud of Midsommar, but it changed how I approach roles,” she noted.
As she stars in Dune: Part Two and Thunderbolts, Pugh balances passion with self-care—proving mental health matters as much as craft.
