Florence Pugh has built a career on bold choices, from indie darlings to blockbuster franchises. Her upcoming slate includes the MCU's Avengers: Endgame (as Yelena Belova) and Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part Three (as Princess Irulan). But right now, it's her 2022 psychological thriller that's capturing audiences again—this time on streaming.
Don't Worry Darling, directed by Olivia Wilde, is experiencing a resurgence on HBO Max. As of August 2026, the film has climbed to the sixth spot on the platform's global top 10, according to FlixPatrol. It's rubbing shoulders with newer titles like Mortal Kombat II and Bugonia, proving that a good (or at least intriguing) story never really goes out of style.
The film's journey has been anything but smooth. From its Venice Film Festival premiere to its theatrical release, it was overshadowed by behind-the-scenes drama—leaked videos, rumored feuds, and viral gossip. Critics were divided, giving it a 38% Rotten Tomatoes score, while audiences were more forgiving at 74%. Despite the mixed reception, it pulled in $87.6 million worldwide against a modest $20–35 million budget.
Set in the 1950s, the story follows Alice (Pugh), a housewife who begins to question the idyllic company town of Victory, where her husband Jack (Harry Styles) works. She soon uncovers a dark secret: the town is a simulated reality, and the men are holding their real-world wives captive. It's a premise that echoes The Stepford Wives and The Truman Show, though many felt it didn't fully deliver on its potential.
Still, Pugh's performance is widely praised, and the film's mid-century aesthetic is stunning. The set design and eerie atmosphere are enough to keep viewers hooked, even if the plot leaves some questions unanswered.
This streaming revival is a testament to Pugh's star power. She's proven time and again that she can carry a film, whether it's a period drama like Little Women or a horror flick like Midsommar. Her upcoming roles in Thunderbolts* and We Live in Time are already generating buzz, but for now, fans can revisit one of her most talked-about projects.
If you haven't seen Don't Worry Darling yet—or if you want to see what all the fuss was about—it's currently streaming on HBO Max. And for more recommendations, check out our list of underrated gangster movies or dive into the best thrillers of the 1990s.
