Florence Pugh’s Best Roles

Florence Pugh has rapidly established herself as one of the most talented and compelling actors of her generation. In just a few short years, she has built an impressive filmography filled with complex characters, earning critical acclaim and numerous accolades for her powerful performances. She possesses a remarkable ability to convey deep emotional turmoil and fierce strength, often within the same role, making her a captivating presence in any film she is in.

From period dramas and psychological thrillers to blockbuster superhero films, Pugh has consistently demonstrated an incredible range and a fearless approach to her craft. She fully immerses herself in every character, whether she is the lead or part of a larger ensemble. Her bold choices and undeniable talent have made her a sought-after star who continues to surprise and impress audiences with each new project.

‘The Commuter’ (2018)

In this action thriller, Florence Pugh plays Gwen, a young woman on a commuter train who becomes entangled in a dangerous conspiracy. The film’s protagonist, an ex-cop played by Liam Neeson, is offered a large sum of money to identify a passenger on the train who is carrying a crucial piece of information.

Gwen is one of several passengers who fit the description of the target, making her a potential key to the mystery. Her character interacts with the protagonist as he tries to figure out who is involved and what the stakes of the dangerous game are. She represents a piece of the puzzle that he must solve before the train reaches its final destination.

‘The Wonder’ (2022)

Pugh stars as Lib Wright, an English nurse who is sent to a remote Irish village in 1862. Her task is to observe a young girl named Anna O’Donnell, who has allegedly survived for months without food. Lib is a rational and scientific-minded woman who is skeptical of the claims, believing it to be a hoax.

As she watches over Anna, Lib’s clinical detachment is challenged by the girl’s unwavering faith and deteriorating health. She finds herself at odds with the village’s deeply religious community and must race against time to uncover the truth before the girl wastes away. The role required Pugh to portray a character wrestling with grief, science, and faith.

‘Black Widow’ (2021)

Florence Pugh made her debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Yelena Belova, a highly skilled spy and assassin. She was raised in the Red Room program alongside Natasha Romanoff and views her as a sister. Yelena is sarcastic, pragmatic, and just as deadly as her older sibling, but with a more cynical sense of humor.

The film’s plot forces Yelena to reunite with Natasha to take down the Red Room and its leader, Dreykov, once and for all. This mission involves reconnecting with their former surrogate parents to dismantle the program that brainwashed them and countless other girls. Yelena’s character provides both emotional depth and dynamic action sequences.

‘King Lear’ (2018)

In this television film adaptation of the famous Shakespearean tragedy, Pugh plays Cordelia, the youngest and most virtuous daughter of King Lear. At the beginning of the story, Lear demands that his three daughters publicly declare their love for him in order to receive their portion of his kingdom.

Unlike her flattering older sisters, Cordelia refuses to participate in the charade, stating that her love is genuine and does not need to be exaggerated for reward. Her honesty enrages her father, who disowns and banishes her. Cordelia’s unwavering integrity sets the tragic events of the play in motion, and she remains a symbol of loyalty and virtue throughout.

‘Lady Macbeth’ (2016)

This film provided Florence Pugh with her breakout role as Katherine Lester, a young woman trapped in a loveless marriage in 19th-century rural England. She is sold along with a plot of land to a man twice her age who is cruel and emotionally distant. Left alone for long periods, Katherine feels suffocated by the strict social conventions of the era.

Her life takes a dramatic turn when she begins a passionate and reckless affair with a stable hand on the estate. This newfound freedom awakens a ruthless and defiant nature within her, and she begins to take extreme measures to maintain her independence. She transforms from a victim into a cold and calculating anti-heroine who will stop at nothing to get what she wants.

‘Outlaw King’ (2018)

This historical action drama tells the story of Robert the Bruce, the 14th-century Scottish king who launched a guerilla war against the larger English army. Pugh plays Elizabeth de Burgh, the goddaughter of King Edward I of England who becomes the second wife of Robert the Bruce as part of a political alliance.

Though their marriage is initially a strategic arrangement, a genuine affection develops between Elizabeth and Robert. When the war begins, she stands by her husband, demonstrating great courage and resolve in the face of immense danger. She is eventually captured by English forces but remains a symbol of Scottish defiance and loyalty.

‘A Good Person’ (2023)

Pugh portrays Allison, a vibrant young woman whose life is shattered in an instant. She is involved in a car accident that takes the life of her future sister-in-law, leaving Allison with a severe injury and a heavy burden of guilt. To cope with the physical and emotional pain, she develops an addiction to opioids.

Years later, while struggling with her recovery, she forms an unlikely friendship with Daniel, the man who would have been her father-in-law. He is also grappling with his own grief and past issues. Together, they navigate their sorrow and search for a path toward forgiveness and redemption, helping each other find a reason to move forward.

‘Fighting with My Family’ (2019)

This biographical sports film is based on the true story of professional wrestler Paige. Florence Pugh stars as Saraya “Paige” Knight, a young woman from a wrestling-obsessed family in Norwich, England. She and her brother both dream of making it to the WWE.

When they get a once-in-a-lifetime tryout, only Paige is selected to enter the competitive training program in America. She must leave her supportive family behind and navigate the cutthroat world of professional wrestling on her own. The film follows her journey of self-discovery as she learns that she needs to embrace her unique identity to succeed.

‘Midsommar’ (2019)

In this folk horror film, Pugh plays Dani Ardor, a psychology student who is dealing with an immense personal tragedy. To cope with her grief, she joins her emotionally distant boyfriend and his friends on a trip to a remote Swedish commune for a fabled midsummer festival that only occurs once every ninety years.

The idyllic and sun-drenched festival quickly takes a dark and sinister turn as the group is exposed to the community’s disturbing rituals and traditions. Dani’s emotional journey is central to the film, as her vulnerability and isolation make her susceptible to the cult’s influence. Her experience becomes a surreal and terrifying exploration of grief and belonging.

‘The Little Drummer Girl’ (2018)

This television miniseries is based on a classic espionage novel. Pugh stars as Charmian “Charlie” Ross, a fiery and politically radical English actress in the late 1970s. While on vacation in Greece, she is recruited by an Israeli intelligence officer to become a double agent.

Her mission is to infiltrate a Palestinian terrorist cell by posing as the lover of one of its key members. Charlie’s skills as an actress are put to the ultimate test as she navigates the dangerous and morally complex world of international espionage. The role of her life becomes a high-stakes performance where one wrong move could be fatal.

‘Hawkeye’ (2021)

Pugh reprises her role as Yelena Belova in this superhero series set after the events of ‘Avengers: Endgame’. Yelena is on a mission of revenge, as she has been led to believe that Clint Barton is responsible for the death of her sister, Natasha Romanoff. She travels to New York City during the Christmas season to hunt him down.

Her pursuit of Clint brings her into conflict with his new protégé, Kate Bishop. Yelena is portrayed as a formidable and unpredictable antagonist, but her character also retains the sarcastic wit and emotional depth introduced in her first appearance. The series explores her grief and her struggle to understand her sister’s sacrifice.

‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’ (2022)

In this animated adventure, Florence Pugh voices the character of Goldilocks. She is depicted as the leader of the Three Bears Crime Family, consisting of Papa Bear, Mama Bear, and Baby Bear. Together, they are on a quest to find the mythical Last Wish, a fallen star that can grant any desire.

Goldilocks’s wish is to be reunited with her biological human family, a desire that creates an emotional conflict between her and the loving bear family that adopted her. She is a tough and determined character who must ultimately decide what family truly means to her. Her journey is one of the film’s central emotional arcs.

‘Little Women’ (2019)

Pugh earned widespread acclaim for her role as Amy March, the youngest of the four March sisters. In this adaptation of the classic novel, Amy is portrayed as a pragmatic and ambitious artist who is often overshadowed by her older sister, Jo. She is determined to marry well to provide financial security for her family.

The performance captures Amy’s entire journey from a petulant and sometimes selfish child to a poised and mature young woman. Pugh brings a new level of depth and understanding to the character, showing her to be a complex and relatable figure who is just as determined as Jo but follows a more conventional path to achieve her goals.

‘Dune: Part Two’ (2024)

In this science fiction epic, Pugh joins the cast as Princess Irulan Corrino. She is the eldest daughter of the Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV, the ruler of the known universe. Irulan is a sharp, politically astute woman who has been trained in the ways of the Bene Gesserit.

While her physical screen time is limited, her character plays a significant role in the galactic political struggle. She chronicles the events of the film through her writings, providing narration that frames the story. As the war between House Atreides and the Emperor escalates, Irulan’s position becomes increasingly important for the future of the empire.

‘Oppenheimer’ (2023)

Florence Pugh portrays Jean Tatlock in this biographical thriller about the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the theoretical physicist credited as the father of the atomic bomb. Tatlock was a psychiatrist, a physician, and a member of the Communist Party who had an intense and tumultuous romantic relationship with Oppenheimer.

Their affair takes place before and during Oppenheimer’s work on the Manhattan Project. Tatlock’s political affiliations and her continued connection to Oppenheimer draw the scrutiny of government security officials, creating complications for him both personally and professionally. She is depicted as a brilliant but troubled intellectual who had a profound impact on his life.

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