Florence Pugh has made it clear that she will no longer tolerate bad behaviour on film sets, insisting that rudeness, unprofessionalism and misogyny have no place in the workplace. She also stressed that everyone, from leading actors to crew members, deserves to be treated with respect.
The actor, 30, said she has grown more confident in protecting herself and leading productions. In an interview published on 10 November, she explained that she now speaks up when someone's attitude threatens the atmosphere on set.
Her message was simple: 'Show up on time, don't be rude, don't be a misogynist'.
A Clear Message on Film Sets
Pugh said every film makes her more confident about setting boundaries. She is no longer prepared to put up with 'bullsh*t behaviour' or a 'bullsh*t attitude', adding that she will not accept people being rude to the crew.
The Midsommar star stressed that poor conduct affects everyone. When someone changes the atmosphere on a set, she said, 'everybody feels it'. For Pugh, professionalism means recognising everyone's contribution and ensuring people can work without being belittled.
Why She Refused To Let the Cornell Case Fade
Her comments about respect at work come as she continues to speak out about sexual violence and accountability. In September, Pugh used Instagram to condemn allegations involving seven men connected to Cornell University's Chi Phi fraternity.
A former student, identified in a civil lawsuit as Jane Doe, alleges she was drugged and sexually assaulted at a fraternity house party in October 2024. The allegations have not been proven in court, and some of the accused have denied wrongdoing.
The case returned to public attention after the woman filed a lawsuit. According to her lawyer, a university investigation resulted in two students being expelled, while others received lesser disciplinary sanctions. Prosecutors have since reopened the criminal investigation.
Her concern reaches beyond one case. In her interview, she said she cares about women she knows and women she has never met, warning that allowing such stories to become normal risks making abuse and rape seem acceptable.
'R*pe can never ever be a conversation that we move on from', she said. 'It has to be something that we look at face-on, and we demand justice, accountability and for the rapist to see what they have done to someone's life'.
A Conversation That Must Continue
Pugh's message matters when public attention moves on. Fewer headlines must not mean the women at the centre of these cases are forgotten. The legal process must take its course, but the conversation should continue.
Listening to women and demanding fair investigations are not the same as deciding guilt. They are part of ensuring concerns are taken seriously, and survivors are not silenced.
She has also said rape must be confronted directly, rather than treated as a subject people can leave behind when a news cycle ends. Pugh also challenged Instagram after her posts about the Cornell allegations were covered by a sensitive-content warning.
During an appearance on The View on 30 September, she said the stories made her feel scared, anxious and enraged, and explained that she wanted to use her platform to speak out. Instagram later removed the warning after a review, according to reports.
Using Her Platform
Pugh continues to take on major screen roles, including Netflix's East of Eden, Avengers: Doomsday and Dune: Part Three. But her point extends beyond her career. Whether speaking about behaviour on a film set or allegations of sexual violence, she is calling for people to challenge disrespect rather than look away.
Women must be heard, their concerns must not be brushed aside, and accountability must remain part of the conversation—even after the headlines fade.
