After 27 years, Demi Moore returned to the Cannes red carpet following the world premiere of her body horror The Substance, starring Margaret Qualley. Directed by French director Coralie Fargeat, the horror thriller has made waves, with critics deeming it Moore’s best big-screen role in decades.
The plot revolves around a new product, The Substance, which promises people to transform into the best version of themselves. However, it comes with a twist and the new horror is definitely not for the faint-hearted, as critics deemed it among the best films the genre has to offer.
The Substance Doesn’t Disappoint in the Body Horror Front Per Critics
Demi Moore‘s new film is a complete departure from her Industry image, which has earned her and the crew a 13-minute standing ovation at Cannes. Revolving around self-hatred, The Substance doesn’t shy away from taking shots at the merciless beauty standards that society has inflicted upon women and confronts the inevitability of aging. Following its grotesque visual presentation of the subject matter, accompanied by overwhelming sound design, it’s definitely not for the faint of heart.
The Indecent Proposal star has earned acclaim for rising up to the challenging role, with many deeming the actor and her costar Margaret Qualley fearless for their performances.
With critics deeming the film on par with some of the greatest body horrors ever made, which incorporates elements from The Elephant Man, Scanners, etc, horror fans are elated.
Omg I can’t wait. Never thought Demi would be in a body-horror film and giving an incredible performance. I’m very intrigued by this
— Lloyd (@itslloydnotlyod) May 20, 2024
These reactions are giving me life
— Josh (@JoshFromIndy) May 19, 2024
Demi Moore for Best Actress at Cannes?
— Ethan David 🦛 (@e_david28) May 19, 2024
OH YEAH
— MANUZITA 🇵🇸 (@manu_l44ra) May 19, 2024
Lets go 😂 pic.twitter.com/wKdV3C8Lmo
— 🔪𐌃𐌄𐌍𐌍𐌉𐌔🔪 (@dennis_k_g) May 19, 2024
Apart from the Striptease star, the horror flick also features Margaret Qualley, who also stars in Yorgos Lanthimos’ Kinds of Kindness, another entry at the film fest.
Stepping Out the Comfort Zone Was Exciting for Demi Moore
Speaking of her role in the body horror, Demi Moore explained that it was extremely challenging at times, as the film pushed the actor to her limits. But while the role was physically and emotionally taxing, she stressed that stepping out of her comfort zone was exciting.
Speaking with Reuters, she said:
The level of vulnerability that this role called for on all the different levels – emotionally, physically – were as demanding as it was exciting because it was really pushing me to step out of my comfort zone
Furthermore, the actor expressed that the role of Elisabeth Sparkle is the least beautiful character she has played, even though she is meant to be perfect.
Moore said:
She is meant to be perfect, but she’s probably like the least beautiful character I’ve ever played because she’s heartless
Fargeat, who has always been a fan of strong visual imagery, doesn’t drop the ball with the body horror element, whose goal was to explore women’s toxic relationship with their bodies. And from the reception to the film at Cannes, it’s safe to say the writer succeeded in her mission.
