Demi Moore is trying to find the beauty in her new horror movie, The Substance . In the critically acclaimed project, Moore stars as Elisabeth Sparkle, an actress fired from her TV fitness show for being too old. In hopes of regaining her youth, she takes a black market drug called The Substance to create a younger alternate version of herself, played by Margaret Qualley .
Things take a horrifying turn, however, as the two women fight for time in the spotlight. “It’s a powerful shared experience,” Moore said while appearing on Late Night With Seth Meyers in September 2024. “It’s dealing with aging and the male perspective of the idealized woman that women have bought into.
” The actress warned that some scenes in the blood-drenched horror film aren’t exactly easy on the eyes. But before the film officially hit theaters, Moore gave fans a preview into what made the film so powerful. From an unforgettable scene with shrimp to nearly 10 hours in the makeup chair, there’s more than what meets the eye when watching The Substance : While shooting The Substance , Moore recalled hanging out in a makeup chair for several hours of grotesque prosthetic work to transform her face and body.
“I sat in the chair anywhere from 6 to 9 and a half hours with a good 2 hours to take it off,” she told Seth Meyers . “It’s a much easier thing to read on paper, but I’m so glad I have the experience.” In a separate interview with Entertainment Weekly , Moore referenced nearl.