Florence Pugh Asked for an Acting Break This Summer for the First Time in Her Career After Realizing: ‘I Hate How Much of My Life I’ve Missed’

As a movie enthusiast with an extensive background in film criticism and analysis, I find Florence Pugh‘s career trajectory to be nothing short of remarkable. Her dedication to her craft and her unwavering commitment to her characters are truly inspiring.


In an interview with British Vogue, Florence Pugh revealed that she undertook an action during the summer which she had never done before in her acting career: She requested a break from acting. With four major projects under her belt – Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune,” Marvel’s “Thunderbolts,” and the upcoming A24 romance drama “We Live in Time” – Pugh, who was nominated for an Oscar, felt it was necessary to press the pause button and take a well-deserved rest.

[For the very first time in my professional journey], I find myself requesting a summer vacation,” Pugh expressed. “I’m known for being incredibly dedicated [to my work], but it’s become evident that I need a break. All of a sudden, last year, I realized, ‘I dislike how much of my life I’ve overlooked.’ While I aspire to have a long-lasting career, that won’t be possible if I burn myself out.

Following a refreshing summer break, Pugh has been invigorated and she recently graced the Toronto International Film Festival for the world premiere of “We Live in Time”, shared with co-star Andrew Garfield. Directed by John Crowley, who previously helmed “Brooklyn”, the romance movie will be released in U.S. cinemas on October 11 by A24. In this film, Pugh portrays a chef who unwittingly hits a man with her car and develops feelings for him (Garfield). The narrative unfolds unconventionally, beginning with the diagnosis of cancer that affects Pugh’s character. For this role, she had to shave her head on screen.

In simple terms, Push stated that for any actor playing such a role, it’s crucial that the audience sees her shave her head, and they see this as obvious or instinctive. Essentially, he suggests that by making this transformation to themselves, the actor is making a significant contribution to the character development.

In numerous faiths, hair is considered highly valuable, housing one’s memories, aspirations, and personal history. Removing it felt strange. My scalp was unusually sensitive, and everyone seemed to want to touch it. It was a living entity, almost pulsating with life. The act caused my body a small trauma, leaving me feeling constantly cold.

PUgh is dedicated to immersing herself in her character roles. In an interview on the “Off Menu” podcast last year, she admitted that she went to great lengths, even bordering on self-harm, to embody her character Dani in the horror film “Midsommar,” directed by Ari Aster. Dani is a grieving American psychology student who experiences a mental breakdown when she accompanies her unhealthy boyfriend on a trip to Sweden’s midsummer festival.

When Pugh performed this role, she found herself deeply immersed in her character like never before. She had never portrayed someone experiencing such intense pain previously, and to bring authenticity to her performance, she deliberately placed herself in challenging situations that other actors might not feel compelled to endure. Her preparation involved vividly imagining the most distressing scenarios.

Head over to British Vogue’s website to read Pugh’s latest cover story in its entirety.

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2024-09-18 18:50