She revealed that the experience left her feeling "abused" and "broken" for a significant period.
In the film, Pugh portrayed Dani, a grieving student who accompanies her boyfriend to a remote Swedish village to witness a rare midsummer festival. The idyllic setting soon descends into a nightmare of pagan rituals and cultish horrors in Ari Aster's film, loosely based on Scandinavian midsummer traditions.
"Learning to protect myself is an ongoing process," Pugh shared on the "Reign with Josh Smith" podcast.
The actress, who currently stars alongside Andrew Garfield in the romantic drama "We Live in Time," admitted that certain roles demand an intense level of emotional investment, which can be detrimental to her well-being.
"My experience with 'Midsommar' was particularly challenging," she confessed. "I pushed myself to such extremes that it felt like self-abuse. I was deeply affected for a long time afterwards."
She added, "Reflecting on those experiences, I realize I can't subject myself to that kind of intensity again. It simply took too much out of me." In a previous interview with The Sunday Times, Pugh revealed the lengths she went to prepare for the role, including visualizing family members in coffins and attending their funerals. "It triggered intense anxiety and hyperventilation," she admitted. "Over time, I've had to develop coping mechanisms to avoid such emotional devastation."
Despite the grueling process, Pugh acknowledged her director's talent, describing Aster to The New York Times as "a unique kind of mad genius." Despite the challenges, Pugh expressed pride in her performance, which garnered critical acclaim and box office success.
"I'm proud of my work and the emotions I was able to portray," she affirmed. "I have no regrets."
