Demi Moore on Full Frontal Nudity with Margaret Qualley in ‘The Substance’
Demi Moore’s new film, feminist body horror The Substance, features her completely naked, featuring several scenes of full nudity. The 61-year-old actor discussed the “unpleasant experience” at the Cannes Film Festival press conference for the film on Monday.
Demi Moore said: “Going into it, it became really clear – the level of vulnerability and grit that was really necessary to tell the story.” “And it was a very sensitive experience and it required a lot of empathy and a lot of conversation about what we were trying to achieve.”
In the film, Demi Moore plays a fading celebrity who uses the black market drug for which the film is named – a cell-replication device that creates a younger, better version of herself (Margaret Qualley).
It would not only have to share a space with this new creature but would also have to spend half its time in dormancy so that the other could thrive. In the opening scene when Qualley is “born”, Moore spends a lot of time studying her naked body before pulling the trigger on the drug. When Qualley comes out, she too is surprised to see her soft new skin suit. It’s an obvious but perhaps necessary display of full-frontal for both. Also read – Jason Momoa confirms romance with Adria Arjona
Moore also credited Qualley – who was not present at the press conference.
Demi Moore goes on to describe Qualley as a great partner with whom she feels safe. We were obviously very close – naked – and we also found a lot of lightness in those moments and how absurd some of those situations were,” she said. “But finally. It’s really about directing your communication and mutual trust.”
As the film progresses, Demi Moore becomes deeply disfigured due to the abuse she is being subjected to by her other half, Qualley. In the final scene of the film, she strongly resembles Anjelica Huston from the 1990 film “The Witches”, when she transforms into a terrifying hunchback.
“It was very strange,” Moore said of seeing herself in prosthetics on set and at the premiere screening on Monday. She further added that she was glad that her dog recognized her. It was my touchstone of reality,” she said.
Dennis Quaid also plays an “asshole” in the film, as he described his character during the press. The late Ray Liotta was to play the role before his passing in May 2022, and Quaid dedicated his performance to him.
Quaid said, “In my heart, I dedicated this role to Ray Liotta, who was ready to play it.” “He passed away two years ago this week, so I want to remember him. He was such an incredible actor.”
“The Substance” received a standing ovation during its premiere at Cannes on Sunday night, giving the film an 11-minute standing ovation, the longest ever at the festival.
The French director Coralie Fargeat discussed the film’s feminist themes during an interview with Variety, saying that body horror is “a perfect medium to express the violence that comes with all these women’s issues.”