Andrew Garfield opens up about building chemistry with Florence Pugh in 'We Live in Time'

Andrew Garfield revealed in a recent interview with PEOPLE that building chemistry with Florence Pugh for their new film We Live in Time took time. Garfield, 41, admitted that he was initially shy around Pugh, 28, but eventually grew comfortable as they worked together. "It takes a while to get to know someone,” he said, adding, “I can be quite shy and protective, but once I let someone in, there’s no getting out." He praised Pugh’s playful personality, saying, "She wanted to have fun and started taking the piss out of me. I really enjoyed that."

Pugh and Garfield's connection was also visible off-screen, as Garfield recalled how she teased him right before they presented awards at the 2023 Oscars. He said, "I like knowing the structure, and she was just trying to distract me." Despite their different approaches, Garfield appreciated their dynamic, describing it as "lovely."

John Crowley, the film's director, shared his observations with PEOPLE, noting that the actors’ chemistry was evident early on. “On day two of rehearsals, I began to see flashes of lightning in a bottle,” Crowley said, emphasizing the unique connection between Garfield and Pugh.

We Live in Time is currently in select theaters and will expand nationwide on October 18.