Florence Pugh, known for her intense and emotionally driven performances, recently discussed her biggest career regret during an appearance on The Louis Theroux Podcast. Addressing her journey and early decisions, Pugh candidly spoke about the 2018 Netflix horror movie, Malevolent, expressing that it stands out as her most regretted choice in her filmography—a striking insight for fans interested in Florence Pugh career regrets.
An Honest Reflection on Early Career Decisions
Pugh described taking the role in Malevolent when she was just starting out as an actor, revealing that financial necessity drove her decision more than passion for the project.
It’s probably the one movie that I wish I never did,
Florence Pugh, Actress. She added,
I think everybody has one of those movies.
Florence Pugh, Actress.
The film featured Pugh alongside Ben Lloyd-Hughes as siblings who deceive grieving families by fabricating ghostly encounters and claiming to rid homes of supernatural presences. However, the horror becomes all too real as the story progresses. Despite this fresh premise, Malevolent received a notably poor reception, garnering only a 54% critics’ score and a particularly low 18% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Emotional Toll and Growth Through Challenging Roles
Pugh didn’t shy away from describing the discomfort and disappointment she felt during the filming process.
I think it was just a movie that I did when I was younger and I needed money,
Florence Pugh, Actress. She reflected further,
And I was like, ‘Well, obviously this is great.’ And then I got there and it wasn’t great.
Florence Pugh, Actress.
Fortunately, the challenging experience on Malevolent did not hinder her progress. Pugh’s career trajectory soared soon afterward: in the year following Malevolent, she delivered standout roles in Fighting With My Family, Ari Aster’s cult-horror Midsommar, and the literary adaptation Little Women. These three films proved pivotal for the actress and were central in cementing her reputation as one of the most exciting actors of her generation.
Confronting Emotional Demands on Major Productions
Looking back on her work in Midsommar, Pugh detailed the psychological demands of portraying a woman surrounded by grief and manipulated within a Swedish cult. She was candid about the intensity, admitting,
I’d never done anything like that before and I was like, ‘OK, well here’s my opportunity. I need to give this a go.’ And I would just basically put myself through hell.
Florence Pugh, Actress.
A Promising Future Despite Early Regrets
Although Malevolent remains a project Pugh regrets, her career has shown resilience and forward momentum. The actress is set to reprise her role as Yelena Belova in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Avengers: Doomsday and to return as Princess Irulan in Dune: Part Three. Both highly anticipated films—starring some of the industry’s top actors and featuring major talents such as Ben Lloyd-Hughes—are scheduled for simultaneous release on December 18, 2026, promising a significant moment for Pugh’s career and for audiences worldwide.
Pugh’s openness about her career regrets offers a rare glimpse into the challenges even acclaimed actors face, reinforcing her status among contemporary Hollywood’s most relatable and talented performers.
