Florence Pugh’s Best Roles

Florence Pugh has quickly become one of the most exciting actors working today. In a short time, she’s starred in a series of strong films, playing complex characters and winning praise for her performances. She’s especially skilled at showing both vulnerability and strength, making her a truly captivating performer to watch.

Florence Pugh has proven herself to be an exceptionally versatile actress, excelling in everything from historical dramas and suspenseful thrillers to big-budget action movies. She completely transforms herself for every role, whether it’s a leading part or a smaller one within a group. Audiences and filmmakers alike are consistently captivated by her daring choices and obvious talent, and she continues to deliver memorable performances in every project she takes on.

‘The Commuter’ (2018)

This thrilling movie follows Gwen, a young woman on a train, who finds herself caught up in a dangerous plot. Meanwhile, a former police officer, played by Liam Neeson, is tasked with identifying a passenger holding vital information – and he’s offered a lot of money to do it.

Gwen matches the description of the person they’re looking for, which makes her important to solving the mystery. As the main character investigates, she provides clues about who’s involved and what’s at risk. He needs to figure out her role before the train arrives at its destination.

‘The Wonder’ (2022)

Florence Pugh plays Lib Wright, a nurse from England sent to a small Irish village in 1862. She’s asked to watch over a young girl named Anna O’Donnell, who people claim has miraculously survived for months without eating. Lib is a logical, science-focused woman and doubts the story, suspecting it’s not true.

While caring for Anna, Lib’s professional distance begins to crumble as she witnesses the girl’s strong belief and declining health. This puts Lib at odds with the intensely religious villagers, and she must quickly discover what’s really happening before it’s too late. The part called for Florence Pugh to play a character struggling with loss, scientific reasoning, and spiritual belief.

‘Black Widow’ (2021)

Florence Pugh first appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe playing Yelena Belova, a talented spy and assassin. She grew up in the Red Room program with Natasha Romanoff, whom she considers a sister. Yelena is known for being sarcastic and practical, and she’s just as dangerous as Natasha, but with a drier wit.

The movie centers around Yelena and Natasha teaming up to finally destroy the Red Room and its leader, Dreykov. To do this, they must revisit their past and confront the people who raised them, ultimately dismantling the program that brainwashed them and many other young girls. Yelena’s character brings both heartfelt emotion and exciting action to the story.

‘King Lear’ (2018)

This movie is based on Shakespeare’s tragic play, *King Lear*. Florence Pugh stars as Cordelia, the youngest and most honest of King Lear’s three daughters. The story begins with Lear asking his daughters to tell him how much they love him, promising to divide his kingdom based on their responses.

While her sisters eagerly competed for their father’s favor with empty flattery, Cordelia refused to play the game, insisting her love was sincere and didn’t need grand gestures. This honesty angered her father, leading him to disown and banish her. Cordelia’s steadfast principles kickstart the play’s tragic storyline, and she remains a powerful figure representing loyalty and goodness.

‘Lady Macbeth’ (2016)

Florence Pugh’s performance in this film launched her career. She plays Katherine Lester, a young woman unhappily married in the English countryside during the 1800s. When her husband sells her – along with their land – to a much older, cold man, Katherine finds herself isolated and stifled by the rigid rules of the time.

Her life changes completely when she starts a fiery and impulsive relationship with one of the workers on her property. This new sense of freedom brings out a fierce and rebellious side of her, and she’s driven to do whatever it takes to stay independent. She evolves from someone who was powerless into a determined and cunning character, willing to do anything to achieve her goals.

‘Outlaw King’ (2018)

This historical drama focuses on Robert the Bruce, a 14th-century Scottish king who led a rebel war against the powerful English army. Florence Pugh portrays Elizabeth de Burgh, the goddaughter of England’s King Edward I, who marries Robert the Bruce in a strategic political move.

Elizabeth and Robert’s marriage starts as a political agreement, but they eventually fall in love. When war breaks out, she bravely supports her husband, facing great risks with determination. Though captured by the English, she becomes a powerful symbol of Scottish pride and faithfulness.

‘A Good Person’ (2023)

Florence Pugh plays Allison, a lively young woman whose life dramatically changes after a car accident. The accident tragically kills her future sister-in-law, and Allison is left with a serious injury and overwhelming guilt. She turns to opioid painkillers to deal with both the physical and emotional trauma.

After a difficult recovery, she unexpectedly becomes friends with Daniel, the man who nearly became her father-in-law. Both are dealing with painful losses and personal struggles. They support each other through their grief, seeking forgiveness and a fresh start, and ultimately find hope in their connection.

‘Fighting with My Family’ (2019)

This movie tells the inspiring true story of WWE wrestler Paige. Florence Pugh plays Saraya “Paige” Knight, a determined young woman from Norwich, England, who grows up in a family passionate about professional wrestling. She and her brother share a dream: to both become WWE superstars.

Paige receives an incredible opportunity and is chosen to join an elite wrestling training program in the US. This means leaving her family and facing the tough, competitive world of professional wrestling alone. The movie tells the story of her growth as she realizes the importance of being herself to achieve her dreams.

‘Midsommar’ (2019)

I recently watched this really unsettling folk horror film, and Florence Pugh gives an incredible performance as Dani Ardor, a psychology student reeling from a terrible loss. She ends up going with her boyfriend – who isn’t the most supportive, honestly – and his friends to Sweden. They’re heading to this isolated commune for a midsummer festival that apparently only happens once every ninety years, and things get… weird. It’s a really captivating, but deeply disturbing, story.

I was completely drawn in by how quickly this beautiful, summery festival became genuinely creepy. It’s unsettling to watch as the group starts uncovering the strange, disturbing things this community does. But for me, the film really centers on Dani. She’s so vulnerable and alone, and that makes her easily affected by this cult. It becomes this incredibly surreal and terrifying look at how she deals with grief, and her desperate need to find somewhere – *anywhere* – she belongs.

‘The Little Drummer Girl’ (2018)

This TV miniseries adapts a well-known spy novel. Florence Pugh plays Charmian “Charlie” Ross, a passionate and politically outspoken English actress from the late 1970s. While on holiday in Greece, she’s approached by an Israeli spy who asks her to work as a double agent.

Charlie’s assignment is to go undercover within a Palestinian terrorist group, pretending to be the romantic partner of a leading member. This is the most challenging role of her acting career, forcing her to operate in a perilous and ethically difficult world of spying. Her success-and her life-depend on flawlessly playing the part, as even a small mistake could have deadly consequences.

‘Hawkeye’ (2021)

Florence Pugh returns as Yelena Belova in this series, picking up after the events of ‘Avengers: Endgame’. Driven by a desire for revenge, Yelena believes Clint Barton is responsible for her sister Natasha Romanoff’s death and travels to New York City at Christmastime to find him.

When she goes after Clint, she clashes with his new trainee, Kate Bishop. Yelena is a strong and unpredictable opponent, but she still has the same sharp humor and emotional complexity we first saw in her. The show delves into her sadness and her attempts to make sense of her sister’s ultimate sacrifice.

‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’ (2022)

This animated movie features Florence Pugh as the voice of Goldilocks, who surprisingly leads a criminal family – the Three Bears. Together with her Papa Bear, Mama Bear, and Baby Bear, she’s searching for the legendary Last Wish, a magical fallen star said to grant any dream.

As a huge cinema fan, I was really drawn into Goldilocks’ story. It’s about her longing to find her birth family, which puts her in a tough spot because she’s already got this amazing, loving bear family who raised her. She’s a strong character, and the film beautifully explores what ‘family’ really means to her as she tries to figure out where she truly belongs. Honestly, her emotional journey is one of the most powerful parts of the movie.

‘Little Women’ (2019)

Florence Pugh received a lot of praise for playing Amy March, the youngest of the March sisters. In this version of the story, Amy is shown as a practical and driven artist who often feels less noticed than her sister, Jo. She’s focused on making a good marriage to help support her family financially.

The actress beautifully portrays Amy’s growth, showing her transformation from a spoiled and self-centered child into a graceful and confident young woman. Florence Pugh adds incredible nuance to the role, making Amy a complex and sympathetic character. Like Jo, Amy is driven, but she pursues her ambitions in a more traditional way.

‘Dune: Part Two’ (2024)

Florence Pugh is joining the cast of this science fiction story as Princess Irulan Corrino. As the oldest daughter of Emperor Shaddam IV, who rules the entire universe, Irulan is a clever and politically savvy woman. She’s been specially trained by the Bene Gesserit, giving her unique skills and knowledge.

Although she isn’t on screen much, Irulan is a key player in the political conflicts happening across the galaxy. She documents everything that happens in the film through her writing, essentially telling the story as it unfolds. As the war between House Atreides and the Emperor intensifies, Irulan’s role becomes more and more crucial to the fate of the empire.

‘Oppenheimer’ (2023)

Florence Pugh plays Jean Tatlock in a movie about J. Robert Oppenheimer, the scientist who helped create the atomic bomb. Tatlock was a doctor and psychiatrist with communist beliefs, and she shared a passionate but difficult romance with Oppenheimer.

Oppenheimer’s relationship with Jean Tatlock occurred both before and while he was working on the Manhattan Project. Her political beliefs and ongoing connection to him caused government security officials to investigate, creating personal and professional difficulties for Oppenheimer. The film portrays Tatlock as a gifted but emotionally troubled woman who deeply influenced his life.

2025-09-18 11:24