Florence Pugh makes cryptic Don’t Worry Darling remark about ‘pushing back and saying “no”, on and off camera’
Star is rumoured to have ‘fallen out’ with director Olivia Wilde
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Florence Pugh said that it’s “inspiring” to “see a woman push back and say ‘no’, on and off camera”.
The actor made the comment while appearing on the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival premiere of her new film Don’t Worry Darling.
Directed by Booksmart’s Olivia Wilde, Don’t Worry Darling stars Pugh alongside Harry Styles. The film has been plagued by reports of behind-the-scenes drama, including a rumoured “falling out” between Pugh and Wilde.
Wilde was asked about the rumours at a press conference earlier in the day. “I can’t say enough how honoured I am to have her as our lead,” she responded. “She’s amazing in the film and as for all the endless tabloid gossip and all the noise out there, I mean, the internet feeds itself. I don’t feel the need to contribute, I think it’s sufficiently well nourished.”
The filmmaker previously said that the feud is nothing but “invented clickbait”, while Pugh has not commented on the rumours.
While appearing on the red carpet on Monday (5 September) evening, Pugh was asked by an Italian journalist about what she found “inspiring” in the film.
“I think it’s very very inspiring to see a woman push back and say ‘no’, and question everything” she replied. “It’s very exciting to see a woman do that on and off camera.”
Asked when she “says ‘no’” off camera, Pugh jokingly responded: “When do I say ‘no’? When someone says I can’t have cake.”
Early reviews of Don’t Worry Darling have seen critics be left unenthused by the film, with Pugh’s performance nonetheless singled out for praise.
In a three-star review for The Independent, Geoffrey Macnab writes: “This isn’t the disaster that some predicted – but it is a messy, convoluted affair with some very contrived plotting. Styles gives a surprisingly dull and low-wattage performance as Jack. To be fair, he is playing a very dull character, a kind of Stepford husband.”
Other critics have also heaped criticism on Styles’s performance.
For a timeline of all the behind-the-scenes controversies to have plagued Don’t Worry Darling, click here.
Don’t Worry Darling will be released in UK cinemas on 23 September.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments