Florence Pugh Reflects on the Good, the Bad, and the Awkward

In a revealing conversation on The Louis Theroux Podcast, Florence Pugh opened up about her mixed experiences with intimacy coordinators — professionals hired to choreograph and protect actors during sex scenes. The 29-year-old star of Midsommar, Little Women, and Oppenheimer said the concept is still “figuring itself out,” with both inspiring and frustrating moments shaping her view.

“I’ve filmed a lot of sex scenes without intimacy coordinators,” Pugh admitted. “I’ve been confident and happy in my skin, but I’ve also had directors cross lines that shouldn’t have been crossed.” She recalled being asked to remove clothing not written in the script — something that made her recognize the importance of having someone neutral on set.

Florence Pugh says intimacy coordinators "are a job that’s still figuring itself out" and "I’ve had good ones and bad ones."

"I'm having fantastic experiences with intimacy coordinators. However, I’ve also had a sh*t example where someone just made it so weird and so awkward and… pic.twitter.com/ZuVlAbuTMT

— Variety (@Variety) November 11, 2025

Finding the Dance of Intimacy

Pugh explained that the best intimacy coordinators make scenes more meaningful rather than mechanical. “It’s like a dance,” she said. “When you work with a fantastic coordinator, you understand the story behind the moment — how long the characters have been together, how they touch each other, and what that intimacy says about them.”

Her comments shed light on how a professional approach can transform something awkward into an emotionally layered narrative. “It’s not about just filming a sex scene,” she emphasized. “It’s about telling the truth of the relationship.”

When Things Go Wrong: The Awkward Side

Despite positive experiences, Pugh didn’t shy away from calling out unhelpful ones. “I’ve also had a terrible example,” she revealed. “Someone made it weird and awkward — not helpful at all.”
According to her, the coordinator’s role is to enhance safety and trust, not complicate the process. “It’s not to make things confusing or more awkward. I’ve had good ones and bad ones,” she said.

Hollywood’s Changing Culture Post-#MeToo

Pugh’s reflections come as part of a broader Hollywood shift since the #MeToo movement, which pushed studios to implement better safety and consent protocols. Many stars, including Jennifer Lawrence and Gwyneth Paltrow, have also voiced different levels of comfort with these roles.

Lawrence recently said she and Robert Pattinson didn’t rely heavily on a coordinator for their film Die, My Love, while Paltrow preferred “a lighter touch” for artistic freedom during her scenes with Timothée Chalamet in Marty Supreme.

Standing Up Without Being Silenced

Pugh highlighted a persistent problem — how female actors are often labeled “difficult” for asserting boundaries. She recounted an emotional scene where her male co-star defended her from an overzealous director.
“I realized I wouldn’t have been able to say that myself because it wouldn’t have been received well,” she said.
Intimacy coordinators, she argued, can help level that imbalance by giving women a voice without fear of backlash.

Public Reactions and Online Buzz

After Variety’s post about her interview went viral, fans flooded social media with support. The clip has amassed nearly 6 million views since November 11. Comments ranged from admiration (“Classy and brave!”) to debate (“Are sex scenes even necessary anymore?”).
While some criticized modern Hollywood for overregulating creativity, others praised Pugh for addressing the importance of trust and professionalism.

Why This Matters for the Future of Acting

As the industry continues redefining on-set ethics, voices like Florence Pugh’s are crucial. She believes that great intimacy coordinators don’t just protect actors, they enhance storytelling.
With major upcoming projects like Thunderbolts and We Live in Time, her words may influence how future productions approach scenes of vulnerability.

FAQs

1. What is an intimacy coordinator?
An intimacy coordinator ensures that actors are comfortable, informed, and respected during scenes involving physical closeness, nudity, or simulated sex.

2. Why did Florence Pugh bring up this topic?
She discussed her personal experiences — both positive and negative — to highlight how these roles can shape a healthier film environment.

3. Are intimacy coordinators mandatory in Hollywood now?
Many studios now require them for sensitive scenes, especially after the #MeToo movement, though not all productions use them equally.

4. How have other stars reacted?
Actors like Jennifer Lawrence and Gwyneth Paltrow have shared mixed opinions — some value the structure, while others prefer minimal involvement.

🧠 Final Neutral Opinion (Deep Reflection)

Florence Pugh’s insights touch on a timeless artistic question — where do artistic freedom and emotional safety meet?
Hollywood is still learning to choreograph that balance. Intimacy coordinators, though imperfect, represent a shift toward respect-based creativity rather than unchecked spontaneity.

As audiences, we often celebrate vulnerability on screen without realizing the boundaries behind it. Pugh’s honesty reminds us that behind every “intimate” moment lies trust, teamwork, and evolving ethics — proof that film artistry is not just about what we see, but how it’s made.