Before the tragic loss of the Queen, we were caught up in Hollywood drama

What is going on? Why do we all care so much about in-house fighting? It’s never seemed less important than it does now, writes Charlotte Cripps

The promotion for Olivia Wilde’s film ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ has been turned into a media circus (Getty)

What a difference a few days make. This time on Wednesday, I was writing with a view to the Venice Film Festival. Now, we are mourning the loss of the Queen. It has never made Hollywood drama seem less important.

While our critic was attending screenings, filing reviews, and doing interviews, we on the culture desk were churning out news stories about the unfolding drama of what’s going on with the cast and crew of Olivia Wilde’s new film, Don’t Worry Darling. It had begun to feel never-ending.

On Monday, its lead star Florence Pugh was notably absent from the film’s press conference at the festival. Questions abounded: was it really about a conflicting work commitment? Why then is she pictured sipping a cocktail in Venice? Is it sure proof that Wilde and Pugh had a fall-out?

When Pugh turned up later that evening on the red carpet for the premiere, she and Wilde didn’t appear to even look at each other, which seemed to confirm all is not well. Neither of them has denied the rumours – so it’s all speculation.

One of the reasons Pugh and Wilde reportedly clashed is over the director Wilde’s blossoming relationship with co-star Harry Styles on set. Then to top it all, Styles allegedly spat at the film’s lead Chris Pine at the premiere. Sources close to Styles told The Independent that the spitting claims weren’t true.

All of this has turned Wilde’s film promotion into a media circus. After the screening, as the cast and crew stood to receive a standing ovation, Pugh gave her co-star Nick Knoll a kiss and seemed to make a quick dash out of the cinema.

What is going on? Why do we all care so much about in-house fighting? It’s like an episode of EastEnders, that’s why. It takes us away from our own lives, especially at times of great collective sadness.

The media obsession with Wilde’s film has overshadowed the film itself – and everything else at Venice. There have been some great films so far including Black Swan director Darren Aronofsky’s psychological drama The Whale, Timothee Chalamet’s cannibal romance Bones and All, Cate Blanchett’s Tar, and The Banshees of Inisherin starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson. It received a 13-minute standing ovation.

Don’t Worry Darling got poor reviews – The Independent gave it three stars. But it’s the talk of the town. It’s still all a mystery as to what the exact issues are between the cast and crew. But one thing is clear: by the sounds of it, they obviously have a lot to worry about.

Yours,

Charlotte Cripps

Culture writer