5 fascinating female horror performances from 2019

1. Midsommar

Actress: Florence Pugh as Dani

What the movie is about: Midsommar is the perfect film for the summer. It’s a fairytale that has been left to blacken and turn cruel in the arid heat. The movie follows Dani and Christian, a couple on the brink of breaking up.

But after Dani experiences a harrowing tragedy, Christian feels he cannot end their relationship. Dani winds up inviting herself on the trip of a lifetime to experience an authentic midsummer festival in Sweden along with Christian and his friends.

At first, visiting the isolated community nestled against a picturesque hillside is breathtaking and relaxing. But the group of American tourists soon find the customs and traditions of this cult-like community are far more disturbing than they could have ever imagined.

Performance: Florence Pugh has been having a great year. Apart from Midsommar she also starred in the movie Fighting With My Family and the critically-acclaimed miniseries, The Little Drummer Girl. She has also been cast in the upcoming Black Widow film from Marvel.

Like Lupita Nyong’o, I 100% believe Florence Pugh should receive an Oscar nomination for her stellar work in Midsommar. What she did in this movie is no easy feat. Dani is put through unspeakable trauma and must carry the burden of it into a horrific new world.

Not only is Midsommar a horror film that boldly refuses to fit into any specific sub-genre, but it is an excruciating and heartwrenching exploration of grief and mental illness. Pugh is the anchor at the epicenter of this movie who must navigate the darkest subject matter. She does so with absolute grace and precision.

Pugh’s performance is transformative, as is Dani’s journey. It’s a real shame that the Academy so often overlooks horror.

What do you think of our top picks for the best female horror performances of the year? Who are your choices? What horror movies have really impressed you from 2019? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!