Florence Pugh has become one of Hollywood's most exciting talents, moving effortlessly from indie gems like Lady Macbeth to blockbusters like Dune and even the acclaimed miniseries The Little Drummer Girl. Her latest role as Cathy Ames in Zoe Kazan's adaptation of East of Eden has earned rave reviews, but it's worth remembering that her true masterpiece arrived in 2019—Ari Aster's sun-drenched nightmare, Midsommar.
Set against the endless daylight of a Swedish summer, Midsommar follows Dani (Pugh) as she joins her toxic boyfriend, Christian (Jack Reynor), and his friends on a trip to a remote pagan commune. Still reeling from a devastating family tragedy, Dani is thrust into a festival that grows increasingly sinister. Aster, known for the shadow-drenched terror of Hereditary, flips the script here, bathing every frame in oppressive brightness—there's nowhere to hide, and the horror is all the more visceral for it.
Pugh, just 23 at the time, delivers a performance that is raw, unflinching, and utterly captivating. She embodies grief in all its stages—numbness, despair, and eventually a kind of cathartic release. It's a portrayal that makes the film's more extreme moments feel painfully human. When Dani is manipulated by Christian, who stays with her only out of a twisted sense of obligation, you feel every ounce of her anguish.
The film's psychedelic sequences are a triumph of visual storytelling, capturing the disorienting effects of psilocybin with unsettling accuracy. Aster uses the drug-induced haze to amplify the social anxiety and the creeping dread of the commune's rituals. Even the graphic violence is presented matter-of-factly, almost cheerfully, leaving nothing to the imagination. It's a unique horror experience that lingers long after the credits roll.
One of the film's most shocking moments—a late reveal involving a seemingly innocent character—remains one of the most bloodcurdling images in modern American cinema. It's a testament to Aster's ambition and Pugh's ability to anchor the chaos with genuine emotion.
As Pugh continues to dominate screens with East of Eden on Netflix, fans of her work should not miss the chance to revisit Midsommar, now streaming on HBO Max. It's a performance that cements her status as one of the most fearless actors of her generation. For more on the best thrillers to stream, check out our list of the top thriller TV shows of the past 50 years.
If you're in the mood for more underrated gems, we've also rounded up 10 thrillers you've never read but absolutely should. And for those who appreciate a good spy thriller, Pierce Brosnan's post-Bond spy thriller is currently a hit on Paramount+.
