Florence Pugh recently made her Marvel debut as Yelena Belova in Black Widow. In a short amount of time, Pugh has already established herself as one of the best young actors working in Hollywood. Her career has spanned across several genres and, in 2020, she was nominated for an Academy Award for her supporting performance in Greta Gerwig's Little Women. Even in supporting roles, Pugh seems to always be a scene-stealer. She has charisma and the ability to completely transform into any role that comes her way. Pugh has some very exciting projects in the works including a role in Christopher Nolan's upcoming film, Oppenheimer. She has already worked with several prominent directors and certainly has a long career ahead of her.
Pugh was born in Oxford, England and had a strong interest in performing from a very young age. While still in school, Pugh made her feature film debut in The Falling, opposite Maisie Williams. She received critical acclaim for her performance, proving that she had the talent to make it in show business. She continued to gain film roles and, in 2018, Pugh earned a nomination for the BAFTA Rising Star Award. Her international breakthrough occurred when she starred in the wrestling film, Fighting With My Family. Since then, Pugh has become an international super-star, always delivering the goods with her performances. Currently, Pugh is reportedly among the top contenders for Madonna's biopic, and she is in talks to star in Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part 2. Until then, here's a look at Florence Pugh's best performances, ranked.
9 The Commuter
In the action film, The Commuter, Florence Pugh plays the supporting character Gwen, one of MacCauley’s (Liam Neeson) suspects on the train. Although Pugh's performance was limited to only a few scenes, she does a lot with her character. She convincingly plays a damaged and abused young woman conflicted with her task of transporting illegal goods for her boyfriend. Pugh proved that she can deliver a good performance with a minimal supporting role.
8 Malevolent
Florence Pugh takes the leading role in the horror film, Malevolent. The movie is an interesting take on a ghost story, following Angela (Pugh) and her brother (Ben Lloyd-Hughes) who run a ghost hunting scam, only to discover that one of the houses is actually haunted. Pugh is fantastic in the horror genre and convincingly plays a woman in the midst of terror, not knowing what is real and what isn't. Pugh has great chemistry with her co-star, and the film is full of supernatural thrills.
7 The Falling
Florence Pugh made her feature film debut in The Falling, a story following English school girls who are overcome by a strange fainting pandemic. Pugh proved at a young age that she has the sheer capabilities as an actor. At the same time, she honestly depicts the struggles of a young woman navigating love, authority, and friendship. Pugh gives a fantastic dramatic performance in her breakout role.
6 The Little Drummer Girl
In the television miniseries, The Little Drummer Girl, Pugh takes on the espionage genre as an English actress recruited to investigate a terrorist plot. Pugh gives a fantastic performance as an actress constantly pretending to be someone that she isn't. The stakes are high, and we see that through Pugh's emotional range. Her performance is filled with confidence, suspicion, and charisma. At the same time, her chemistry with co-star Alexander Skarsgard is exceptional.
5 Lady Macbeth
In Lady Macbeth, Florence Pugh plays Katherine, a young bride who enters an affair after being sold into marriage. Pugh honestly captures the persona of someone living in the 19th Century. At the same time, she convincingly depicts the turmoils that women had to endure during that time. The passion and romance within her character grow as she begins her affair, but so does the fear of her secret being revealed. Pugh is phenomenal from start to finish in a fantastic dramatic performance.
4 Fighting With My Family
.jpeg?q=50&fit=crop&w=1500&dpr=1.5)
Florence Pugh received international recognition for her role in Fighting with My Family. Pugh plays Saraya, a young woman who loves wrestling and comes from a family obsessed with the sport. Pugh is charismatic and charming throughout the film and delivers both dramatic and comedic moments. She honestly conveys a girl who might not fit in with mainstream society, but she is determined to achieve her dreams.
3 Black Widow
Florence Pugh was a fantastic addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Black Widow. Pugh plays Yelena Belova, another Black Widow who was trained in the Red Room, and Natasha Romanoff's (Scarlett Johansson) sister. Pugh’s performance is on-point, and she perfectly conveys the confidence and bravery within her character. At the same time, Pugh's physicality and fight choreography are exceptional, proving that she has what it takes to lead an action film. It is never an easy feat for an actor to nail another accent, but Pugh completely captures the Russian accent for her character. Pugh returned to the role in the Disney+ series Hawkeye, and fans are currently speculating what's next for the now-beloved character.
2 Little Women
Florence Pugh earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Amy March in Greta Gerwig's Little Women. Pugh plays the role of Amy at different ages, which is never an easy feat for an actor. Her emotional range is on-point throughout the film, and she perfectly portrays a young woman with big dreams, navigating love and life. Her chemistry with the rest of the cast, particularly Timothee Chalamet is phenomenal.
1 Midsommar
In Ari Aster's Midsommar, Florence Pugh gives a brilliant performance of a young woman dealing with intense grief after the traumatic death of her family. At the same time, she perfectly conveys the turmoils of being in an unhealthy relationship. While navigating the cult-like festival of Midsommar, her character's suspicions and fears grow as she realizes the festival's dark secrets. There are so many gut-wrenching moments delivered by Pugh in this film, defining her capabilities as a dramatic actress.