Demi Moore’s latest film, The Substance, explores themes of youth, beauty, and relevance. The movie is a feminist take on ageism and unrealistic beauty standards that combines body horror, blood and gore. The film follows Elisabeth Sparkle, the character played by Moore, who is fired from a TV show due to falling ratings. Sparkle resorts to extreme measures to create a perfect version of herself, which eventually leads to disastrous consequences. The role demanded that Moore embrace being unglamorous, which she found liberating.
Director Coralie Fargeat says casting an actress to confront such intense themes was a “big challenge,” but Moore “really understood the part.” Qualley highlights that in an age where many acclaimed directors are making “quiet, intimate films,” she appreciates how this film “smashes you over the head.” In an interview with BBC News, Moore stated, “I felt like that was why I wanted to do it, in a way. Part of what made it interesting was kind of going to such a raw, vulnerable place, to really kind of peel away.”
Awards pundits have been debating whether the film could impact the Oscars race. The quality is certainly there in the screenplay, directing, make-up, special effects, soundtrack, and acting. Many feel that Moore, in particular, is overdue some Academy recognition, following a long career with film credits including Ghost and A Few Good Men. However, the intense themes and graphic content may be too much for some voters.
The Substance has been described as a comment on Hollywood’s absurd beauty standards. Fargeat revealed that the film is about how women perceive themselves and how everything that is projected on them shapes their state of mind. Moore acknowledged that while there has been progress towards more diverse representations of women in Hollywood, there are still many steps to take to go further. The Substance has been released in UK and US cinemas as of 20 September
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