'Don't Worry Darling': The cast drama overshadowing Olivia Wilde's new film

Watch: Don't Worry Darling trailer

Olivia Wilde's Don't Worry Darling has become one of the year's most-talked about films – for all the wrong reasons.

The release of the psychological thriller, which stars Florence Pugh and Harry Styles, has been overshadowed by rumours of on-set feuds.

But what's the truth behind the controversy?

As the film lands in UK cinemas, here is everything you need to know.

1. Olivia Wilde and Florence Pugh's alleged feud

Alleged tensions between director Olivia Wilde and star Florence Pugh have been a major talking point on social media.

The pair have had "several disagreements personally and professionally", according to a source cited by US Weekly.

Pugh is reported to have "severely limited" her media engagements to promote the film.

She did not attend its premiere in New York earlier this week, and also was absent from a press conference in Venice Film Festival on 5 September.

A source who was on the film's set told Rolling Stone: "From what I understand, there is friction, but I don't know why.

"It's pretty clear [Pugh is] choosing not to be a part of the PR. It's clearly not beneficial to Olivia to not have her be a part of the PR. It has to be a Florence decision."

Read more: Harry Styles accused of spitting on co-star Chris Pine

But another insider said: "I never noticed one second of tension on that set. Not one second."

Studio officials have noted that Pugh is busy filming Dune: Part Two in Hungary.

In an interview with Variety, Wilde seemingly alluded to the rumours by condemning the "tabloid media" for "[pitting] women against one another".

She praised the Midsommar star as "extraordinary" and "the most exciting young actress working today".

2. Shia LeBoeuf out, Harry Styles in

Shia LeBoeuf was originally cast opposite Pugh as her on-screen husband, but left the film in August 2020 and was replaced by Harry Styles.

Sources initially blamed "scheduling conflicts" but Wilde later claimed she fired LeBoeuf to create a "safe, trusting environment" on set.

She said: "I say this as someone who is such an admirer of his work. His process was not conducive to the ethos that I demand in my productions."

LeBoeuf disputed this, claiming he chose to leave due to a lack of rehearsal time.

In a further twist, a leaked video appeared to show Wilde saying she was "heartbroken" about LaBeouf's exit and wanted to "figure this out".

After LaBeouf's exit from the film, his ex-girlfriend FKA twigs sued him for "relentless abuse", which he denies.

A journalist was stopped from asking Wilde a question about LaBeouf at Venice Film Festival, fuelling further controversy.

Then, in an interview on US TV this week, Wilde failed to clarify whether she fired LeBoeuf or whether he quit, calling it "a question of semantics".

The film is Styles' first major Hollywood role, following small parts in Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk and Marvel's Eternals.

The release of a teaser trailer last month left some viewers baffled at his Transatlantic accent.

3. Harry Styles and Florence Pugh's salaries

Social media users have spread unverified claims of a pay gap between Styles and Pugh on the film.

Earlier this year, a gossip website claimed that Oscar nominee Pugh was paid three times less than her male co-star.

Film studios do not disclose stars' salaries but Wilde dismissed said there was "absolutely no validity" to the reports.

She told Variety that she was "really upset" by "the absurdity of invented clickbait and subsequent reaction regarding a nonexistent pay disparity".

She added: "I'm a woman who has been in this business for over 20 years, and it's something that I have fought for myself and others, especially being a director."

4. Olivia Wilde's split from Jason Sudeikis

Wilde and Styles began dating publicly in January 2021 after meeting on set. The A-list relationship has attracted countless column inches.

Wilde was previously engaged to Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis, with whom she has two children.

In April, Wilde was served custody papers on behalf of Sudeikis while appearing on stage at CinemaCon in Las Vegas to promote Don't Worry Darling.

The director described the incident as "vicious", adding: "In any other workplace, it would be seen as an attack.

"It was really upsetting. It shouldn't have been able to happen. There was a huge breach in security, which is really scary."

A source for Sudeikis said the actor had "no prior knowledge of the time or place" that the documents would be served.

5. Lukewarm reviews from critics

The controversy surrounding Don't Worry Darling meant all eyes were on Venice Film Festival for its premiere.

Things took a bizarre turn when some fans accused Harry Styles of spitting into co-star Chris Pine's lap as he took his seat.

Pine had earlier appeared to roll his eyes and "zone out" while Styles was talking at the press conference.

A source close to Styles said the alleged spitting incident was "not true", while Pine's representative said called it "a complete fabrication".

Pugh did turn up to the Venice premiere, having missed the earlier press conference, but she and Wilde reportedly "kept their distance" at the event.

Away from the alleged drama between the stars, the film attracted a lukewarm reception from critics in Venice.

The Guardian called it a "movie marooned in a desert of unoriginality" while the Evening Standard branded it "glossy but empty".

The Independent said Styles' performance was "charisma-free" and called the film a "messy, convoluted affair".

Don't Worry Darling is out in cinemas now.