The Don’t Worry Darling film premiered on Sept. 23, raising high expectations with a cast of A-list actors, including Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, Chris Pine, Gemma Chan, Nick Kroll and Olivia Wilde. Wilde also directed the picture. 

Worldwide box office earnings have surpassed $30 million worldwide so far. In the face of such a solid start, the major question has yet to be answered: did the movie flourish because of its content or because of intrigue over behind-the-scenes conflict? 

Two years ago, in April of 2020, Florence Pugh and Shia LaBeouf were announced as the film’s leads.

“This cast is bananas,” said Wilde in a tweet, according to People Magazine. “I’m the happiest director in the world. To say that I’m honored/excited/elated […] would be a massive understatement.” 

But in September of that year, LaBeuof was fired from his role due to a sexual and physical assault lawsuit from his ex-girlfriend and was replaced by Styles. Wilde and Styles were seen holding hands publicly and were later confirmed to be dating by an anonymous source on set. 

Only nine months later, Florence Pugh noticeably skipped the press section of the Venice Film Festival premiere of Don’t Worry Darling. Wilde responded to questions about a rumored falling-out with a complement of Pugh’s work in the film and a disavowal of online scandal. 

“As for all the endless tabloid gossip and all the noise out there, I mean, the internet feeds itself,” Wilde said, according to People. “I don’t feel the need to contribute. It’s sufficiently well-nourished.”

Later that night, a video of Styles sitting next to Chris Pine was released in which it appeared that Styles spit on Pine, generating huge Internet buzz. However, multiple sources, including Wilde and a representative of Pine, have confirmed that no spit occurred.

Ultimately, the scandal does not appear to have hurt the film’s earnings and may have even increased ticket sales in its opening week.