Florence Pugh Reveals Why Marvel's 'Thunderbolts*' Could Be Its Darkest Blockbuster Yet

With the holidays in full swing, Oscar-nominee Florence Pugh is dominating entertainment headlines again—this time for both a brutally honest career confession and a new streaming hit that’s climbing Netflix’s global top-10. A candid confession about “Malevolent” During a recent appearance on Louis Theroux’s podcast, Pugh admitted that 2018’s supernatural thriller Malevolent is “probably the only movie I wish I’d never made,” adding that she accepted the project when she was “young and needed money.” Her frank reflection has sparked fresh debate about the early choices rising stars make before breaking big. Search interest in the little-seen horror title has surged, with curious fans heading to Netflix to see the film she now disowns. “We Live in Time” surges on Netflix If Malevolent is the ghost of Pugh’s past, the present looks far brighter. John Crowley’s decade-spanning romance We Live in Time, co-starring Andrew Garfield, quietly arrived on Netflix in mid-December and has already been hailed as a “must-watch” tear-jerker by critics and viewers alike. The film follows chef-turned-figure-skater Almut (Pugh) and sales rep Tobias (Garfield) through love, laughter and late-stage illness, earning a 79 % critics’ score and an 83 % audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. What the buzz means for awards season Although We Live in Time missed major nominations earlier in the year, its sudden streaming momentum could revive awards chatter—especially for Pugh’s emotionally layered performance, which Empire called “riveting and quietly moving.” With voting deadlines looming, a late-year surge in viewership may keep the film—and Pugh—in voters’ minds. Brand-building beyond the big screen Away from acting, Pugh continues to cultivate a down-to-earth brand via unfiltered interviews, irreverent cooking videos and candid Instagram stories. Her willingness to own past missteps (Malevolent) while promoting nuanced projects (We Live in Time) reinforces the authenticity fans crave. The result: sustained social engagement, strong keyword searches for “Florence Pugh movies,” and a steady climb in her global star ranking. Why audiences can’t look away 1. Relatability: Pugh’s admission of early-career compromises humanizes a superstar upbringing. 2. Range: From horror regrets to heart-wrenching romance, her filmography offers something for every viewer. 3. Accessibility: Two high-profile titles now stream on Netflix, making a Florence Pugh marathon only a click away. Bottom line By turning vulnerability into viral headlines and pairing it with a critically adored new release, Florence Pugh has closed out 2025 as one of Hollywood’s most talked-about talents—proof that honesty and high-quality storytelling remain a powerful combo for commanding the cultural spotlight.