Ranking the Best Performances by Florence Pugh to Date

Florence Pugh has, in short order, become unquestionably one of our best young actresses. Able to seamlessly transition between independent cinema and blockbusters, Pugh is at home in a Best Picture winner as she is in a new effort within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With Thunderbolts* about to hit theaters, it felt like a nice moment to highlight Pugh’s work to date. So, that’s exactly what we’re doing!

In my review of Thunderbolts* earlier this week (here), I said the following about Pugh:

Florence Pugh leads the ensemble and does some of the better work we’ve seen from an actress in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Pugh is excellent, especially when she’s confronting the demons of her past. 

As for other recent work, I raved here about her turn in Zach Braff‘s A Good Person:

Florence Pugh and Morgan Freeman are at the tops of their respective games here. The former has a showcase role unlike any she’s had before, while the latter hasn’t been given this substantial a part in some time. Both dive in and embrace the complexities and messiness of the characters, with terrific results. They’re creatively nurtured and it shows. Freeman has some easy comedic marks to hit, but the flaws in his regretful ex-cop give him dramatic beats he hasn’t been asked to hit in years. Unsurprisingly, he aces them. Pugh, made the centerpiece of the film, is flawless, likewise embracing the mistakes of her character, making her equal parts vibrant and frustratingly reclusive. It’s a full meal, watching her, and a truly satisfying one.

Below, you can see my Pugh ranking as of today. At the top of the list has got to be Little Women, which scored her an Oscar nomination in Best Supporting Actress. Not far behind, we have the aforementioned A Good Person, as well as last year’s impeccably acted We Live in Time. There’s no wrong way to organize this list, so do it as you see fit. The most exciting part of arranging this? The fact that it’s clear Pugh is just getting started. Somehow, it does feel like the best is still yet to come…

Here now is how I would rank the best performances so far from Florence Pugh. Behold:

Honorable Mention: Dune: Part Two, Outlaw King, and The Wonder

10. Don’t Worry Darling

9. Black Widow

8. Oppenheimer

7. Thunderbolts*

6. Lady Macbeth

5. Fighting with My Family

4. Midsommar

3. We Live in Time

2. A Good Person

1. Little Women

What are your favorite Florence Pugh performances so far? Let us know!