Demi Moore says the vulnerability required for her role in body horror film The Substance, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, was both demanding and exciting. $ 0 / (min cost $ 0 ) Login or signup to continue reading Moore stars as Elisabeth, an ageing TV fitness instructor a la Jane Fonda who signs up for a mysterious medical regime called The Substance that promises to create the perfect version of herself - played by Margaret Qualley of Drive-Away Dolls. The role requires Moore, 61, to be completely naked as well as transform into a deteriorating old woman through prosthetics.
"All of it at different times had moments that were challenging," she told Reuters in an interview. "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," Moore said. Critics were positive on Moore's performance, with entertainment website Variety calling it "nothing short of fearless" and The Hollywood Reporter praising how she "imbues her character with a visceral desperation.
" This year's festival marks the first time in more than a quarter-century that Moore, who became a sex symbol through films like Striptease in the 1990s, was at the festival. For Qualley, 29, having to portray the so-called perfect version of a woman's body was a weird experience. "She is meant to be perfect, but she's probably like the least beautiful characte.