Florence Pugh has rapidly ascended in the film industry, starring in significant productions and captivating audiences worldwide. Currently, as the lead in Marvel’s Thunderbolts, she further establishes her status as a preeminent talent of her generation.
Early Career and Breakthrough
Pugh’s journey to stardom was gradual, marked by dedication and hard work. Before achieving widespread recognition with her standout performance in the unsettling thriller Midsommar, she honed her craft through numerous lesser-known films. A particularly noteworthy yet often overlooked work is the horror movie Malevolent, a Netflix original from 2018. This film is worth revisiting as Pugh is now taking center stage in major cinematic releases.
Plot Overview of Malevolent
In Malevolent, Pugh portrays Angela, a member of a team of fraudulent ghost hunters. Their facade crumbles when they are drawn into a genuine haunted location. The group’s operation primarily relies on technological gimmicks, yet Angela possesses some authentic psychic abilities. The film opens with a striking visual perspective that allows the audience to witness the unsettling occurrences through her eyes, setting the stage for numerous jump scares.
Performance and Direction
Pugh delivers a performance characterized by remarkable composure, even as the horror intensifies in the film’s climax. Her portrayal is marked by an impressive stoicism, revealing a depth of emotion beneath her calm exterior. This subtlety has become a hallmark of her acting style, evident in her roles in other films like Midsommar and Dune: Part Two. In Malevolent, she conveys complex emotions with minimal dialogue and facial expressions, often allowing moments of happiness to linger just a beat too long, highlighting her character’s underlying sorrow.
Cinematic Style and Elements
Director Olaf de Fleur employs a unique visual style in Malevolent, with extended shots to create an atmosphere of persistent dread. The film includes inventive sequences, such as an opening scene where the perspective is that of a young girl, emphasizing the emotional stakes involved. The soundtrack complements the film’s eerie tone, enhancing its unsettling ambiance without being derivative.
Critique of Malevolent
While Malevolent exhibits commendable qualities—like its haunting score and effective practical effects—it is not without flaws. The character development is uneven, making certain deaths lack impact, and the climactic moments can become chaotic and difficult to follow. Furthermore, the film’s emphasis on mood over traditional jump scares may detract from its overall effectiveness as a horror experience, sometimes necessitating a more visceral reaction from its characters.
Pugh’s Promising Future
As Pugh’s career continues to flourish, her early work in Malevolent remains a testament to her potential. Although her trajectory may not lead her back to low-budget horror, her nuanced performance in this film showcases the foundational skills that have propelled her to stardom. Pugh’s ability to evoke deep emotional responses and maintain a cool demeanor under pressure reveals a burgeoning talent that continues to evolve, assuring audiences that she is a significant figure in contemporary cinema.