Florence Pugh isn’t just one of today’s hottest movie stars—she’s a bona fide master of effortless cool. One moment she’s garnering indie acclaim with edgy roles at film festivals, and the next, she’s rocking red carpets and leading major projects like Marvel’s upcoming Thunderbolts. But long before she became the top-billed name in the superhero universe, Pugh was honing her craft in lesser-known films, one of which is the underrated Netflix horror original, Malevolent.
Florence’s Unstoppable Ascent to Stardom Ever feel like some actors were just born to be in the spotlight? That’s Florence Pugh for you. Her breakthrough in the cult classic Midsommar set the stage for big roles in Little Women and several MCU installments. But if you really want to see where it all began, you’ve got to revisit Malevolent—the film that flew under the radar when it quietly hit Netflix in 2018. With Thunderbolts hitting theaters on a global scale this weekend, this forgotten horror flick proves that even the smallest projects can showcase tremendous talent.
Inside the Haunting World of Malevolent In Malevolent, Pugh stars as Angela—a key member of a group of sham ghost hunters whose bogus scheme quickly derails when they find themselves in an actual haunted house. And you know what’s wild? While the rest of the crew relies on tech tricks and sleight-of-hand to scare you, Angela seems to have a natural knack for sensing the supernatural. Director Olaf de Fleur wastes no time: within the opening minutes, you get drawn into Angela’s perspective as everyday objects mysteriously shift and phantom figures jump out from the dark. Yep, these are the kind of jump scares that’ll keep you glancing over your shoulder long after the credits roll.
Pugh’s Chilled-Out Brilliance What’s really impressive about Florence’s performance in Malevolent is her calm, almost stoic demeanor—even as terror cranks up in the film’s later acts. She never overdoes it; not a shriek in sight, except maybe a perfectly timed gasp at an especially deformed ghost. That subtle approach is the same magic that you notice in her roles in Midsommar and Dune: Part Two. With barely a word, Pugh imparts a depth of emotion through mere glances and facial expressions—proving that sometimes a lingering smile or a quiet sigh says more than an entire monologue ever could.
A Masterclass in Mood and Suspense Director de Fleur’s style also deserves a solid shoutout. He likes to hold each shot just a moment longer than usual, amping up the dread with every lingering frame. One standout moment in Malevolent is an unsettling opening scene shot through the eyes of a young girl. The camera hides the characters’ faces until they finally lean in to speak—talk about building suspense! And while the film rocks a creepy synthy soundtrack (don’t worry, it’s eerie without feeling like a Stranger Things knockoff) and some truly nerve-wracking practical effects, it’s not without a few rough patches.
The Not-So-Perfect Horror Flick Now, as much as we love the atmosphere and style, Malevolent isn’t flawless. Some characters don’t get enough development, which makes their untimely fates a bit less impactful. Plus, as the movie barrels toward its frenetic climax, keeping track of everything gets a bit challenging. De Fleur’s deliberate emphasis on mood over full-on jump scare theatrics might leave you thinking, “Hey, sometimes you do want the main character to scream bloody murder when terror strikes!”
A Glimpse at Florence Pugh’s Future At this stage in her career, it seems unlikely that Florence Pugh will ever be cast in another modest Netflix horror movie. And maybe that’s exactly what makes Malevolent so cool—it’s a snapshot of Pugh before she hit the blockbuster jackpot. Her understated yet profound performance in this film laid the groundwork for the superstar she is today. Sure, she might not nail the full-on scream queen routine, but who needs that when you’ve got undeniable talent and an effortless cool factor? And let’s be honest, she’s even managed to sprinkle in humor along her journey since then (though you might not catch it in Malevolent).
So, if you’re in the mood for a horror film that’s equal parts eerie atmosphere and quiet acting mastery, grab some popcorn and rewatch Malevolent. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most understated projects carry the biggest impact—and trust us, Florence Pugh was a movie star in the making long before Marvel turned her into a full-blown cinematic powerhouse.
Source: This article was inspired by content from Polygon . All images belong to their respective owners.